Child Care Cook

About the role

As a Cook at Bright Horizons, you will plan and prepare nutritious, family‑style meals that support children’s health, growth, and learning. Each day, your care in the kitchen will create a warm, predictable routine for children, educators, and center staff. From simmering soups to perfectly portioned plates, your work will fuel growing minds. Join a team where your contributions matter and where you are supported to grow professionally while making a meaningful difference each day.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare balanced, family‑style meals and snacks following approved menus, nutritional guidelines, and daily attendance counts.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized kitchen by following food safety, allergy‑management, sanitation, and health procedures.
• Manage food and supply inventory, place orders through approved vendors, and partner with center staff to support smooth daily meal service.

Qualifications

• Pass required state and company background checks and meet state and company minimum education and experience requirements.
• Be 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED.
• Have or obtain a food handler certification within 30 days of hire.
• Course work or certification in Nutrition (preferred).
• Food service experience in a childcare center, school cafeteria, commercial kitchen, or high‑volume food service setting (preferred).

Requirements

• Lift and carry food and supplies (typically 10 to 40 pounds, occasionally up to 50 pounds).
• Stand for extended periods.
• Bend, reach, push carts.
• Perform repetitive kitchen and cleaning tasks.
• Maintain mental and physical alertness and respond immediately and appropriately to unexpected situations or emergencies.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid vacation, sick, holiday, and parental bonding leave.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Long-term and short-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Money-saving discounts and financial planning tools.
• Career development opportunities and free college degrees through our Horizons CDA & Degree Program.
• Caregiving support and resources for the children and adults in your family.

Pay

The hourly rate for this position is between $18.50 – $19.47 per hour.