ECE Centre Cook | Busy Bees Whau Valley

Busy Bees; Whangarei; On-site; NZD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

First aid training

Food safety certification

Flu vaccination

Childcare discount

Job summary

Busy Bees Whau Valley is seeking a Centre Cook to provide nourishing meals that support tamariki learning and development. You’ll work within a warm, supportive team, following menu guidelines and maintaining high kitchen hygiene.

In this role you will prepare daily kai for tamariki, involve older children in cooking to encourage learning and independence, manage grocery shopping, and ensure nutrition and safety standards are met.

Qualifications

• Experience cooking in an ECE or for large groups is a bonus.
• Passion for creating wholesome kai.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to follow menu guidelines and maintain kitchen hygiene.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Cooking

Menu planning

Food safety

Organisational skills

Teamwork

Job description

At Busy Bees Whau Valley, you'll be part of a supportive team where every role makes a difference. As our Centre Cook, you'll prepare nutritious Nourish meals that help tamariki learn, grow, and thrive each day.

You’ll Join a caring centre community where whanaungatanga is at the heart of our mahi, your skills are genuinely valued, and you'll enjoy the support and stability of the Busy Bees Aotearoa whānau.

• Regular daytime hours working Monday to Friday with no late nights
• Discounted childcare fees for your owntamariki
• 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 | Te Aheinga

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 | Mou

• 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

Applicants must have the rights to work in New Zealand

Why Work for Busy Bees?
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.