Job Summary
Gilda’s Preschool Academy is seeking a dependable and organized Cook / Food Service Assistant to prepare meals and snacks for children in our early childhood education center.
The cook will be responsible for preparing and serving food safely, keeping the kitchen clean and organized, following posted menus and food safety procedures, and helping the center stay ready for licensing, health, and food program requirements.
The ideal candidate is reliable, careful, clean, organized, and comfortable working in a child care environment. Experience with child care food service, CACFP, school kitchens, or food safety procedures is a plus.
Schedule
- Monday-Friday
- 7:00 AM-12:00 PM
- Approximately 25 hours per week
- Day shift only
- No nights or weekends
Responsibilities
- Prepare and serve breakfast/morning meal, lunch, and snacks according to the center’s menu.
- Follow all food safety, sanitation, and child care licensing requirements.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and inspection-ready kitchen.
- Wash, sanitize, and store dishes, utensils, food preparation tools, and serving items.
- Follow allergy lists, special diet instructions, and child-specific food restrictions.
- Label, date, store, and rotate food properly.
- Track food supplies and notify leadership when items are low.
- Assist with ordering food, milk, snacks, and kitchen supplies.
- Receive food and supply deliveries, check items for accuracy, and store them properly.
- Keep food receipts, delivery records, menus, meal counts, and other required food service paperwork as assigned.
- Communicate with the Director or leadership team about menu changes, supply needs, allergies, and kitchen concerns.
- Support CACFP/KidKare food service documentation as needed.
- Follow all center policies related to safety, confidentiality, professionalism, and child care operations.
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must be dependable and punctual.
- Must be able to work Monday-Friday from 7:00 AM-12:00 PM.
- Must pass all required child care background checks.
- Must complete required onboarding paperwork and training.
- Must complete or be willing to complete food safety training.
- Must be able to stand, bend, lift, clean, and work safely in a kitchen environment.
- Must be comfortable working around infants, toddlers, preschool children, families, and staff.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience cooking in a child care center, school, Head Start/Early Head Start program, cafeteria, nursing home, or similar setting.
- Experience with CACFP or child care food program documentation.
- Food Handler, ServSafe, or other food safety certification.
- Experience ordering, receiving, and organizing food supplies.
- Strong cleaning and organizational skills.
- Ability to follow menus, written instructions, allergy lists, and food service procedures.
Pay
$12-14 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.
Work Location
In person.
Job Type
Part-time.
Expected Hours
25 hours per week.
Shift
Morning shift.
Benefits
- Monday-Friday schedule
- No nights or weekends
- Supportive child care center environment
- Opportunity to support children and families in the community
Pay: $12.00 - $14.00 per hour
Benefits:
Application Question(s):
- Please briefly describe your experience with cooking, food service, child care, school kitchens, CACFP, or food safety.
- Are you willing to complete the required child care background check and onboarding process?
Experience:
- cooking or preparing food for others: 1 year (Preferred)
- ordering, receiving, or organizing food supplies: 1 year (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Food Handle, ServSafe or other food safety certification (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
