Centre Cook – Apple Tree Childcare Centre

Location: 2 Ballyboe Place, Pinehill, Auckland
Employment Type: Permanent, Full-time
Hours: 30–40 hours per week
Pay Rate: $25.00 per hour

About the Role

Apple Tree Childcare Centre is looking for a reliable and capable Centre Cook to join our team.

Apple Tree provides early childhood education and care for infants, toddlers and young children. As our Centre Cook, you will be responsible for preparing nutritious, safe and age-appropriate meals and snacks for children attending the centre.

This role requires particular attention to children's nutritional needs, food allergies and other dietary requirements. You will work closely with the Centre Manager and teaching staff while independently managing the centre's daily food preparation and kitchen activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare nutritious daily meals and snacks for children attending the centre.

• Prepare age-appropriate meals for infants, toddlers and young children, including purées and soft foods where required.

• Follow the centre's menus, recipes and nutritional requirements.

• Prepare and portion food appropriately for young children.

• Safely prepare meals for children with food allergies and other dietary requirements.

• Take appropriate precautions to prevent cross-contamination when preparing allergy-safe meals.

• Follow food hygiene, safe food-handling, storage and kitchen-cleaning procedures.

• Ensure food is prepared, stored and served safely and hygienically.

• Maintain a clean, organised and hygienic kitchen and food-preparation area.

• Monitor food supplies and advise management when ingredients need to be ordered or replenished.

• Assist with menu planning and adjustments to meet children's dietary needs.

• Communicate with centre management and teaching staff regarding children's dietary requirements and allergies.

• Maintain awareness of individual children's food and dietary requirements.

• Minimise food waste while maintaining appropriate food quality and safety.

• Work independently and effectively manage daily meal preparation.

• Work cooperatively with centre management and teaching staff.

Requirements

To be considered for this position, you should have:

• Relevant cookery training, qualification and/or practical cooking and food-preparation experience.

• At least 1 year of practical experience in food preparation and cooking.

• A good understanding of food hygiene and safe food-handling practices.

• Ability to prepare nutritious and age-appropriate meals for infants, toddlers and young children.

• Ability to follow dietary instructions and safely prepare food for children with allergies and special dietary requirements.

• Good attention to detail, organisation and time-management skills.

• Ability to maintain a clean and hygienic kitchen.

• Ability to work independently and manage daily meal preparation.

• Good communication skills and the ability to work cooperatively with centre staff.

Experience preparing meals for infants, toddlers or young children, including allergy-related or special dietary meals, would be an advantage.

If you are reliable, organised, safety-conscious and passionate about preparing nutritious and appropriate food for young children, we would like to hear from you.

Apply now with your CV and relevant details of your cooking experience.