Early Childhood Education - Head Chef

Pachamama Pty Ltd is an award-winning and exceeding-the-standard childcare Approved Provider with close to 400 families and more than 400 enrolled children. We pride ourselves on being a workplace where every team member feels valued and supported, and we continuously focus on growing and improving our workplace culture. At Pachamama Pty Ltd, our approach is inspired by nature, and we integrate animals into our curriculum, teaching children about caring for all living things. We incorporate daily life practices as a teachable moment and use the environment as the “Third Teacher”. Pachamama Pty Ltd provides care for children aged 0-12 years old in our Early Childhood Education and Care centre and Activity Centre for Outside School Hours Care. The Role: An exciting opportunity for a HEAD CHEF has arrived to work with Pachamama Pty Ltd on a full-time 38-hour basis with a salary of $79,423 per year, plus superannuation. This position offers genuine visa sponsorship pathways for highly qualified applicants meeting Western Australian migration requirements.  Duties and Responsibilities: - Supporting a team which provides high-quality early childhood education and care; - Working in accordance with the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Law and applicable regulations and the National Quality Standard for Early Education and Care; - Working in accordance with our Code of Ethics; - Working in accordance with our Code of Conduct; - Implementing and upholding Pachamama’s philosophy while undertaking all duties; - Maintaining and upholding Workplace Health and Safety; - Maintaining and upholding privacy and confidentiality; - Providing ongoing support and assistance to other staff in all areas of Pachamama’s operation; - Providing ongoing support and assistance to the Centre Manager and the Management Team; - Completing an age-appropriate menu planning following recognised nutritional guidelines; - Managing the kitchen in total compliance with health department requirements, Educational and Care services National regulations and Law, National Quality Standards and related policies and procedures; - Preparing for and participating in all necessary regulatory kitchen inspections and audit procedures; - Ensuring the smooth operation of the kitchen and its coordination with the other programs of the service; - Ensuring a sound understanding of expectations outlined in this document to enable work performance to be executed according to our high service standards; - Make provisions in the preparation of meals for children's additional and complex needs, including dietary restrictions, severe allergies, anaphylaxis risks, developmental, cultural, and religious needs; - Maintain and ensure temperatures of cooking and storing foods are strictly within the required range; - Ensure a high standard of hygiene and overall kitchen presentation is always maintained in compliance with procedures and food safety regulations; - Ensure planned daily menus are displayed and easily accessible to families every day; - Safely involve small groups of children at different times in the process of food preparation to promote healthy lifestyles and physical wellbeing; - Conduct daily and monthly workplace inspections and risk assessments as per schedules; - Build positive, respectful, and ethical relationships with children, families, educators, and the wider community; - Maintain strict privacy, confidentiality, and accurate documentation, including keeping detailed records of injury/accident/trauma and medication forms; - Support the Centre Manager and Management Team with the smooth operation and day-to-day coordination of the kitchen with other service programs; - Actively contribute to own performance processes, participate in Quality Improvement Plans (QIP), and attend staff meetings as required; - Undertake other duties as requested by the Centre Manager and Management Team. Skills and experience required: - Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management (CRICOS Code: 111586A) – essential for compliance - SIT40521 Certificate IV in Kitchen Management and SIT50422 Diploma of Hospitality Management - Western Australian Working with Children Check (WWCC) and Police Clearance - Completed Child Protection Qualification - Current First Aid, Anaphylaxis, and Asthma Management Training compliant with early childhood regulations - Sound practical and theoretical knowledge of food safety guidelines, hazard prevention, and WHS practices within a commercial or care kitchen environment - Strong communication skills – ability to interact positively and collaborate effectively with families, colleagues, and young children - Demonstrated ability to plan nutritious, high-volume menus tailored to early childhood developmental stages - Teamwork and collaborative experience – supporting an equitable share of cleaning duties and fostering a healthy team environment - Commitment to ongoing professional development, reflective practices, and current research within the early childhood nutrition sector