Centre Cook & Support ECE

YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth; Fall River; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

YMCA membership to Health & Fitness

Y at Home access

Discounts on YMCA camp programs

3 weeks vacation entitlement

Comprehensive benefits and pension

Wellbeing and counselling services

Job summary

The YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth is seeking a Centre Cook & Support ECE to plan, prepare, and serve balanced meals for children, following Nova Scotia guidelines. You will maintain a clean kitchen, manage food safety records, and monitor stock levels while providing occasional in-ratio classroom support to engage children in daily activities.

You will also help implement the YMCA curriculum, protect confidentiality, and follow health, safety, and licensing requirements.

Qualifications

• Valid Food Handler Certification.
• 1-2 years experience in the Food Service Industry or related settings.
• Background in Nova Scotia Licensed Childcare settings.
• Valid ECE certification (entry level, level 1, level 2, or level 3) or willingness to obtain.
• Clear Background Checks obtained within the past 6 months (Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check, Child Abuse Registry Check).
• Valid First Aid and CPR Training.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and serve nutritious meals daily in line with NS guidelines.
• Accommodate dietary restrictions and nutritional needs as outlined.
• Maintain a clean, organized kitchen and proper food safety records.
• Monitor inventory and communicate purchasing needs.
• Collaborate with educators, families, and staff to support a welcoming environment.
• Provide in-ratio classroom coverage as needed and engage with children during activities.

Skills

Food Handler Certification

1-2 years experience in Food Service

Background in NS Licensed Childcare

First Aid and CPR Training

Education

ECE certification (entry level, level 1, level 2, or level 3)

Job description

Location: Fall River YMCA EarlyLearning Child Care Centre

Program: Childcare

Position Status: Full-Time Contract

Contract Duration: 6-Month Fixed-Term (with possibility of extension)

Compensation: $22.12 to$32.19

There ispotential inside all of us – we all have it in us to shine.

Every charity exists to help solve a problem –our charity exists to help solve many problems, from childcare shortages,social isolation, mental health issues, access to wellness, and more. Today,our network is spread across 100+ program locations in HRM and the province, meetingthe most urgent needs of our communities in mental health supports, accessible child care, supporting an increasing immigrantpopulation, safe spaces for youth to grow and lead, helping to navigate aprecarious labour market, delivering wellness programming for all, and creatingcommunity for isolated older adults.

We give people the tools, encouragement, andsafe space to discover their inner strength. When they know someone’s intheircorner, with unconditional support, they realize they can do more than theythought possible. It’s your support, expertise, and guidance that helps peopleignite their full potential and shape our neighbourhoods into vibrant andhealthy communities.

With us at theirside, they can Shine On.

As part of your total compensation:

• Receivea complimentary YMCA membership to our Health & Fitness facilities
• Accessto Y at Home, where you can participate in fitness programs from your own home
• Discountson YMCA camp programs
• 3weeks’ Vacation entitlement and paid wellness days
• Comprehensivebenefits package and pension
• Complimentarywellbeing and counselling services

Role Overview:

Reporting to the Centre Director, the Centre Cook& Support ECE plays a vital role in supporting the health, well-being, anddaily operations of our centre. The primary responsibility of this role is toplan and prepare balanced, nutritious meals for the children in accordance withNova Scotia’s Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Early Learning and Child CarePrograms, providing one full meal and two snacks per day.

The Centre Cook takes ownership of the kitchenenvironment, including its cleanliness, organization, food safety, inventory,and appropriate stock levels. They are responsible for maintaining a welcomingand efficient kitchen environment while ensuring meals are prepared and servedsafely and on schedule.

As a secondary responsibility, the Centre Cook &Support ECE will support children, families, and the staff team by providingin-ratio classroom coverage as needed. This includes actively engaging withchildren, supporting classroom routines and programming, and contributing to apositive, inclusive, and nurturing environment.

In this role, you will:

• Plan,prepare, and serve nutritious and balanced meals each day in accordance withNova Scotia’s Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Early Learning and Child CarePrograms. Contribute ideas for child-friendly meals and snacks.
• Accommodatechildren’s dietary restrictions, allergies, and individual nutritional needs asoutlined by the Centre Director.
• Maintaina clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen environment in accordance with foodsafety and health regulations. Maintain accurate kitchen and food safetyrecords as required, as well as ensuring proper food storage, labelling,rotation, and temperature control.
• Monitorfood inventory and maintain appropriate stock levels, communicating purchasingneeds to the Centre Director and/or Assistant Director.
• Workcollaboratively with educators, leadership, families, and other members of thecentre team to build positive relationships with children and support awelcoming environment that fosters a sense of belonging for all.
• Provideclassroom coverage and remain in-ratio as required, supporting children withdaily routines, transitions, and programming. Actively engage with childrenthrough play, conversation, and meaningful learning experiences.
• Supportthe implementation of the YMCA’s curriculum and centre-wide goals.
• Maintainconfidentiality and demonstrate professionalism in all interactions withchildren, families, and colleagues.
• Followall YMCA policies and procedures, licensing requirements, health and safetystandards, and workplace expectations.
• Participatein staff meetings, professional development, training, and other centreinitiatives as required.

Education and skills qualifications:

• ValidFood Handler Certification.
• 1-2years’ experience in the Food Service Industry or related settings.
• Abackground or interest in Nova Scotia Licensed Childcare settings.
• ValidECE certification (entry level, level 1, level 2, or level 3) or thewillingness to obtain an entry-level certification.
• ClearBackground Checks obtained within the past 6 months (i.e. Criminal RecordCheck, Vulnerable Sector Check, Child Abuse Registry Check).
• ValidFirst Aid and CPR Training.

Please note that all successful candidates arerequired to provide:

• CriminalRecord Check, Vulnerable Sector Check, and Child Abuse Register Check (lessthan 6 months old), if 18 years of age or older
• AttendChild Safeguarding Training upon hire
• ValidFirst Aid and CPR Training

Please note: Background checks are reviewed onan individual basis – offenses, if any, are based on role and ChildSafeguarding requirements, and may not eliminate candidates from employment atour YMCA.

At the YMCA, we arecommitted to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace whereevery team member feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their full,authentic selves to work. We believe that a variety of perspectives,backgrounds, and experiences enrich our organization, enabling us to betterserve our community and achieve our mission. As an equal opportunity employer,we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including Black,Indigenous, People of Colour, racially diverse, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals,gender-diverse people, people with diverse abilities, members of ethnicminorities and faith groups, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

If you require accommodation during the hiringprocess, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriateaccommodation.