Child Care Cook – ABC Learning Center
Location: Edmonds, WA
Job Type: Full-Time / Part-Time
Pay: $19.50–$22.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications
About ABC Learning Center
ABC Learning Center is a family-oriented early childhood education program dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for children.
Our mission is to support every child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development through quality care, healthy routines, hands-on learning, creativity, exploration, and play-based experiences.
We are currently seeking a dependable, organized, and caring Child Care Cook to join our ABC Learning Center Edmonds team. The ideal candidate will have experience preparing nutritious meals, maintaining a clean and sanitary kitchen, following food safety requirements, and working effectively in a child care environment.
Position Summary
The Child Care Cook is responsible for preparing and serving nutritious meals and snacks for children while following center menus, food safety procedures, allergy plans, licensing requirements, and sanitation standards.
This position requires excellent organization, time management, cleanliness, communication, and attention to detail. The cook must be able to work independently while also communicating closely with teachers, administrators, and other employees.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and serve nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snacks according to the center’s approved menu.
- Follow portion sizes and meal patterns required by the center and applicable child nutrition programs.
- Prepare meals on time according to classroom schedules.
- Follow all child allergy, food sensitivity, dietary restriction, and medical meal accommodation plans.
- Prevent cross-contact and cross-contamination when preparing food for children with allergies.
- Maintain accurate allergy and dietary information in the kitchen.
- Communicate with the director and teachers regarding menu changes, substitutions, allergies, and special meal needs.
- Follow Washington State food safety regulations, child care licensing requirements, and center policies.
- Wash hands properly and use gloves and utensils when required.
- Ensure food is cooked, cooled, stored, reheated, and served at safe temperatures.
- Check and document food, refrigerator, and freezer temperatures as required.
- Label and date opened, prepared, and stored food items.
- Store raw and ready-to-eat foods safely and separately.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen at all times.
- Wash, rinse, sanitize, and properly store dishes, utensils, cookware, and food preparation equipment.
- Clean and sanitize counters, tables, sinks, appliances, carts, shelves, and food preparation areas.
- Sweep and mop kitchen floors and remove trash regularly.
- Monitor food inventory and notify management when supplies are low.
- Assist with creating grocery lists and receiving food deliveries.
- Check food deliveries for quality, quantity, expiration dates, and safe temperatures.
- Rotate food supplies using the first-in, first-out method.
- Reduce unnecessary food waste while ensuring enough food is prepared for enrolled children.
- Maintain accurate meal counts, menu records, receipts, inventory documents, and required food service records.
- Support compliance with CACFP or other food assistance program requirements when applicable.
- Serve food to classrooms using clean, covered, and properly labeled containers.
- Follow infant bottle, breast milk, formula, and baby food procedures when assigned.
- Accommodate age-appropriate food preparation needs, including cutting food into safe sizes.
- Report damaged equipment, leaks, pest concerns, spoiled food, or other health and safety issues immediately.
- Participate in licensing visits, kitchen inspections, and corrective action plans when required.
- Assist with classroom or center duties when kitchen responsibilities are completed and staffing needs require support.
- Maintain confidentiality and professional conduct when working around children, families, and employees.
- Attend staff meetings, food safety training, and required professional development.
- Perform other duties assigned by the Center Director or management team.
Required Qualifications
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Previous cooking, food service, school kitchen, restaurant, or child care kitchen experience preferred.
- Ability to pass a Washington State background check.
- Current Washington State Food Worker Card or willingness to obtain before the start date.
- Current CPR and First Aid certification or willingness to obtain if required by the center.
- Completion of Bloodborne Pathogens training or willingness to obtain.
- Current TB test and MMR documentation as required by Washington State child care regulations.
- Must be registered in MERIT or willing to complete MERIT registration if required.
- Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, meal preparation, and safe food storage practices.
- Ability to understand and follow written menus, recipes, labels, allergy instructions, and safety procedures.
- Ability to manage multiple meal schedules and complete tasks on time.
- Strong communication, teamwork, flexibility, professionalism, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently and respond appropriately to changing center needs.
- Ability to stand for extended periods, bend, reach, carry supplies, and perform repetitive kitchen tasks.
- Ability to safely lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
- Must be dependable, punctual, detail-oriented, and committed to maintaining high cleanliness standards.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience preparing meals for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, or school-age children.
- Experience working in a licensed child care center, preschool, school, hospital, or institutional kitchen.
- Knowledge of Washington State child care food service requirements.
- Knowledge of CACFP meal patterns and recordkeeping.
- Experience managing food allergies and special dietary accommodations.
- ServSafe certification or additional food safety training.
- Experience with meal planning, food ordering, inventory management, and kitchen budgeting.
- Bilingual or multilingual communication skills are a plus.
Benefits
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Health Savings Account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- Employee child care discount
- Professional development assistance
- Food safety and job-related training
- Career growth opportunities
Why Join ABC Learning Center?
At ABC Learning Center, our kitchen team plays an important role in supporting children’s health, safety, development, and daily experience.
We value teamwork, reliability, cleanliness, professionalism, and respect. As a Child Care Cook, you will help provide children with nutritious meals in a safe and caring environment while becoming an important part of our center community.
We are looking for someone who takes pride in their work, understands the importance of food safety, and enjoys contributing to the well-being of children.
Apply today and become part of the ABC Learning Center family!
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $19.50 - $22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
Ability to Relocate:
- Edmonds, WA 98026: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
