ECE Centre Cook | Busy Bees Westgate

JobSpace; Auckland; On-site; NZD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Daytime hours

Discounted childcare fees

First aid training funded

Food safety certification funded

Annual flu vaccination

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Busy Bees Aotearoa is seeking a friendly Centre Cook to prepare nourishing daily kai for our tamariki in a welcoming centre environment.

You will manage menu planning, kitchen hygiene, and grocery budgeting, while engaging children in cooking activities and supporting the wider team.

Qualifications

• Have a genuine passion for creating wholesome kai.
• Warm and approachable with strong organisational skills.
• Confident menu planning and adherence to safety standards.
• Experience cooking in an ECE or for large groups is a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare nutritious meals and snacks.
• Involve older children in kai preparation to support learning.
• Manage weekly grocery shopping and track kitchen expenses.
• Ensure nutrition and safety regulations are met.
• Maintain hygiene through daily records and cleaning schedules.
• Support the wider centre team as needed.

Skills

Menu planning

Food safety

Kitchen hygiene

Organisational skills

Team collaboration

Large group cooking

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Be part of a welcoming, collaborative environment where your contribution is truly valued. As part of Busy Bees Aotearoa, you'll also enjoy supportive leadership, clear processes, and a team that appreciates the important role you play in our centre community.

As our Centre Cook, you'll prepare nutritious Nourish meals daily and have the rewarding knowledge that the wholesome kai you create helps children learn, grow, and thrive every day.

Why Join Our Team?

• Regular daytime hours working Monday to Friday with no late nights
• Discounted childcare fees for your own tamariki
• Fully funded first aid training, food safety certification, and annual flu vaccination
• Ongoing guidance and wellbeing support from the wider Busy Bees Aotearoa network
• The rewarding feeling of knowing the wholesome kai you prepare makes a genuine impact every day

The Opportunity

You'll prepare daily kai for our tamariki, following menu guidelines while maintaining high kitchen hygiene standards and supporting food-related routines within the centre. You'll also be a friendly, familiar presence for children and an active part of the team. You will also:

• Prepare nutritious meals and snacks
• Involve older children in kai preparation to support learning and independence
• Manage weekly grocery shopping and track kitchen expenses
• Ensure all nutrition and safety regulations are consistently met
• Maintain hygiene standards through daily food records and cleaning schedules
• Support the wider centre team as needed

About You

• Have a genuine passion for creating wholesome kai
• Warm and approachable
• Excellent organisational skills to stay completely on top of a busy kitchen
• Confident menu planning
• A proactive mindset ensuring food safety and hygiene are always top priority
• Previous experience cooking in an ECE or for large groups is a bonus

If you're passionate about early learning, Busy Bees is the place to be. Although we are part of a global organisation, our company was founded by three families looking for better, more enriching childcare. Three decades later, we still keep the same values at heart.

We know that we couldn't do what we do without the important people in our teams. We invest in our people and work with them to build career pathways that inspire.