Childcare Cook

Title: Childcare Cook

Reports To: Center Director

Join Our Team!

Do you love cooking and enjoy making a positive difference in children's lives? At Northstar Early Learning Center, our cooks play an essential role in creating a warm, family-oriented environment where children receive nutritious, home-style meals that fuel their growth, learning, and development.

We're looking for someone who takes pride in preparing healthy, delicious meals while maintaining the highest standards of food safety and cleanliness. If you enjoy working in a fast-paced, child-centered environment and want to be part of a supportive team that truly values its employees, we'd love to meet you!

Position Summary

As the Childcare Cook, you will prepare and serve nutritious meals and snacks that meet or exceed USDA and state licensing requirements. Working closely with our teaching staff, you will help create a welcoming dining experience while ensuring our kitchen operates efficiently, safely, and with the highest level of care.

Your work directly contributes to providing children with the best possible early learning experience every day.

What You'll DoMeal Preparation & Nutrition

• Prepare nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for children.
• Follow approved recipes and USDA meal pattern requirements.
• Portion and serve meals to children.
• Ensure meals are prepared safely, attractively, and on schedule.
• Assist in managing the center's food and nutrition program.

Kitchen Operations

• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen at all times.
• Follow all state licensing regulations, health department standards, and USDA guidelines.
• Properly wash, sanitize, and store dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment according to Rule 3 requirements.
• Monitor food temperatures and safe food handling procedures.
• Operate kitchen equipment safely and efficiently.

Inventory & Organization

• Maintain inventory of food, supplies, and kitchen equipment.
• Assist with ordering and tracking food and supply usage.
• Keep accurate records of food inventory and expenditures.
• Help reduce waste while maintaining adequate inventory levels.

Teamwork & Professionalism

• Work collaboratively with teachers and center leadership.
• Train and support new kitchen staff as needed.
• Participate in required trainings and maintain continuing education requirements.
• Complete certification requirements to become teacher-qualified if applicable.
• Report to work reliably and maintain a positive, team-focused attitude.

Supporting Children

• Help create a warm, family-style mealtime experience.
• Encourage healthy eating habits.
• Support children's emotional and social development through positive interactions during meal times.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about preparing healthy meals for children
• Dependable and punctual
• Organized and detail-oriented
• Friendly, positive, and team-focused
• Able to work independently while managing multiple priorities
• Committed to maintaining a clean and safe kitchen
• Dedicated to providing excellent service to children, families, and coworkers

QualificationsRequired

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Knowledge of food preparation and customer service.
• ServSafe Certification (or ability to obtain).
• Minnesota Food Manager License (Minnesota locations only).
• Ability to follow food safety regulations and licensing requirements.

Preferred

• Previous experience preparing meals in a childcare center, school, restaurant, healthcare, or commercial kitchen.
• Experience with USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines is a plus.

Physical Requirements

This position regularly requires the ability to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods
• Lift, carry, and move kitchen supplies and food products
• Bend, reach, kneel, crouch, and occasionally climb
• Use hands for food preparation and kitchen tasks
• Work in warm or humid kitchen environments
• Safely operate kitchen equipment and work around mechanical appliances

Why Join Northstar?

At Northstar Early Learning Center, we're more than a childcare center—we're a family. We believe every team member plays an important role in helping children thrive.

When you join our team, you'll enjoy:

• Supportive leadership and a collaborative work environment
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement
• Ongoing training and development
• Meaningful work that positively impacts children every day
• A welcoming culture where your contributions are appreciated

If you're passionate about cooking, love working with children, and want to be part of a team that makes a difference every day, we'd love to hear from you!

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: From $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Paid time off
• Referral program

Shift:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18