Join Wholechild Early Learning Armidale as a Chef on a 6-month maternity leave contract.

Your day starts at 6:00am and finishes at 2:30pm, giving you your afternoons and evenings back. At Wholechild Early Learning, food is so much more than simply filling little tummies.

Menus are thoughtfully designed around children's growth, brain development and wellbeing, giving children nutritious, varied and delicious food that supports them to learn, play and thrive.

This isn't a traditional behind-the-scenes kitchen role. The kitchen is positioned at the front of the service, intentionally creating opportunities for the Chef to connect with children, families and the wider Wholechild team throughout the day. You'll be one of the familiar faces families see when they arrive each morning — making their coffee, saying hello and helping create that warm welcome to Wholechild feeling.

Key responsibilities

Prepare fresh, nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day, including morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and late snack

Make barista-made coffees for families each morning

Design menus with early childhood nutrition and brain development in mind, with an emphasis on variety, fresh ingredients and meals children genuinely enjoy eating

Connect with children,



families and the wider Wholechild team throughout the day

Build positive relationships with children and families

Manage a busy kitchen confidently

Take pride in presentation and quality

Maintain strong food safety and hygiene standards

About you

Qualified and experienced Chef

Full working rights in Australia

Genuine passion for preparing nutritious food

Enjoys creating meals for children

Loves connecting with children and families

Warm, friendly and approachable personality

Understands the importance of excellent customer service

Strong food safety and hygiene knowledge

Barista experience and confident making coffees for families each morning

Holds, or is able to obtain, a current Working With Children Check (WWCC)

Willing to complete all required child protection training

Current Food Safety Supervisor certificate, or willing to obtain one

Available to work 6:00am–2:30pm

Contract to commence in November - June 2027

About us

At Wholechild, we are passionate about creating environments where children can grow, learn, connect and thrive — and our kitchen is an significant part of that.

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📌 Chef – 6 Month Maternity Leave Contract (Armidale)
🏢 Wholechild Early Learning Pty
📍 Armidale