Come for the food, stay for the smiles! Chef – Guardian Childcare & Education | Maidstone VIC Full time Permanent (38 hours - Monday to Friday - No evenings or late nights!) Are you passionate about creating delicious, nutritious meals while making a real impact on young children’s lives? Join us as a Chef at Guardian Maidstone , where your skills will help children explore the world through taste, smell, colour, and texture — all while supporting their growth, wellbeing, and education. At Guardian, food is more than just a meal — it’s a learning experience. From foraging in the garden to preparing food alongside you, children are encouraged to understand what they eat and where it comes from. Mealtimes are a special moment of connection where children, Educators, and Teachers come together to share, learn, and grow. Why Join Guardian? As part of our team, you’ll contribute to creating meaningful learning experiences in a safe and supportive environment — and be part of a community that values your growth and wellbeing just as much as the children’s. We offer: The chance to support children to develop a love of food and healthy habits for life Opportunities to collaborate with Educators and Teachers to integrate food into the learning journey High-quality, well-resourced environments Professional development including coaching, mentoring, paid courses, and career advancement Attractive salary and benefits , including: Generous childcare discounts Additional 10% bonus on top of your base salary! (will be 5% more in December 2025) Employee referral program WHEREFIT access – 2,000 corporate offers up to 50% off (gyms, healthy meals, beauty, more) Paid First Aid courses and renewals Flexible work options Our Guardian Degree program with paid study, mentoring, course reimbursement & more (T&Cs apply) About the Centre : 1/50 Hampstead Road, Maidstone VIC 3012 Located in Melbourne’s inner west, Guardian Maidstone is a large, vibrant centre — close to the CBD, with a warm, welcoming team and a supportive Centre Manager. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a thriving, purpose-driven environment. Your Role As Chef, you will: Create and manage seasonal, nutritious menus that meet individual dietary, medical, cultural, and preference-based needs Build positive relationships with children, families, and the team Ensure best practice food safety and hygiene at all times Be an integral part of the learning journey, bringing food and education together To be considered, you will need: A Food Safety Supervisor Certificate or Food Handling Certificate ( essential ) A Certificate III in Commercial Cookery ( preferred but not essential ) A Working with Children Check – VIC - A must. An understanding of your responsibilities under current Child Protection Laws Apply now Be inspired, be inspiring, and introduce us to the Creator in you. Apply now to join Guardian Childcare & Education. Referrals We offer referrals for Guardian employees so join us and bring a friend to refer and earn. For more details, visit: guardian.edu.au/careers/refer-your-friends Guardian Childcare & Education values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences strengthen our teams and help us grow. We are committed to providing a workplace where every person is valued, respected, and supported to progress. We are also deeply committed to Reconciliation and creating an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People feel a strong sense of belonging and connection. The safety and wellbeing of children will always be our top priority; Guardian Childcare & Education has a zero tolerance for any form of child abuse or harm.
