Childcare Center Cook

About the role

Part-time position: 8-10 hours, 2 days a week; potential for additional hours with teacher/admin responsibilities.

Craftsbury Saplings Community Children's Center is seeking an organized, efficient, and thoughtful cook to prepare fresh, nutritious meals for up to 25 children and staff each day. Working collaboratively with our Kitchen Coordinator and teaching team, you will help prepare meals that meet children's dietary needs while creating opportunities for children to engage in food preparation and develop healthy relationships with food. The ideal candidate enjoys working as part of a team, values healthy, delicious meals, and takes pride in maintaining a clean, organized kitchen.

Why work with us

At Craftsbury Saplings, we care deeply about children, about community, and about the world we’re shaping together. We’re a nonprofit, year-round early childhood center serving children ages 15 months to 5 years. Our program is grounded in joy, wonder, and deep respect for children’s social-emotional growth and connection to nature. Our program is growing, and we’re excited to welcome someone who wants to grow with us, with opportunities for position growth in the future.

Responsibilities

• Prepare healthy and delicious meals daily (2 snacks and lunch) that support child and staff dietary needs and licensing standards.
• Maintain kitchen space and records up to standards aligned with the Child Care Licensing Regulations.
• Perform daily and monthly kitchen and meal-related cleaning tasks.
• Coordinate meal planning and food purchasing with key food program staff.
• Maintain documentation in compliance with the Child and Adult Food Program Requirements.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of food preparation, cooking methods, and safe food handling practices.
• Willingness to participate in required program and kitchen-related training and maintain annual training requirements.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to pass a federal background check.

Saplings will support the right candidate in obtaining the necessary credentials.

Benefits

• Paid leave for 10 annual holidays in proportion to regularly scheduled hours, as well as preplanned (non-holiday) and unplanned program closures that fall on regularly scheduled workdays.
• Child care discount.
• Fitness membership.
• Free meals at work.
• Meaningful work in a supportive, values-driven environment where you'll make a positive impact on children and families.