ECE Centre Cook (BestStart St Albans)
BestStart St Albans is on the lookout for a warm, passionate, and dedicated Centre Cook to join our energetic, tight‑knit team. Our centre is built on strong relationships, a calm and unhurried environment, and a deep commitment to empowering tamariki to thrive as their authentic selves.
Our Centre Vision
We aspire to create an environment where tamariki feel safe, respected, and free to explore at their own pace. Relationships are at the heart of everything we do, reciprocal, nurturing, and grounded in whanaungatanga. Our children are encouraged to make decisions about their learning, manage risks safely, and develop meaningful friendships in their own time.
Our Kaiako support tamariki as individuals and as social learners, guiding them through emotional understanding, social interactions, and self‑regulation. Te Tiriti o Waitangi underpins our practice, ensuring inclusive, culturally responsive learning that celebrates the identity, language, and culture of every child and whānau. We are proud to be part of a diverse community and regularly explore our local area to strengthen these connections.
About the Role
This is a wonderful opportunity to be at the heart of our centre’s kitchen. As our Centre Cook, you will plan, prepare, and cook fresh, nutritious, and culturally responsive vegetarian meals each day, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea.
You’ll bring confidence in time management, food ordering, and budgeting, along with a strong understanding of nutrition, allergies, and special dietary needs for young children.
- 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday
- Approx. 9am–1pm, with some flexibility for the right candidate
- Fixed‑term position covering parental leave from April 2026 – November 2026
If you have a passion for creating wholesome meals for young children, we’d love to hear from you.
What You’ll Do
- Plan and prepare an appetising, varied, and culturally inclusive vegetarian menu
- Cook fresh meals daily for morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea
- Maintain high standards of hygiene, safety, and kitchen organisation
- Manage food orders, budgets, and weekly menu planning
- Support healthy eating habits for young children
- Cater to allergies and dietary requirements with confidence
- Use basic computer skills to design menus and place orders
What We Offer
- Paid Food Handling Certificate
- Access to Whare Ako, our online learning platform
- Career development support, learn something new and grow your skills
- $2000 Refer‑a‑Qualified‑Teacher* bonus
- Discounted childcare
- Confidential EAP counselling
- Wellbeing programme
Join Us! If you’re excited about nourishing young learners and being part of a centre that values calm, connection, and community, we’d love to welcome you to BestStart St Albans.
Click ‘Apply Now’ and become part of a team that embraces growth, collaboration, and the joy of supporting tamariki to thrive.
