Kitchen Assistant

Bright Horizons Children's Centers; Northfield Township (IL); On-site; USD 20,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid vacation, sick, holiday, and Par.

401(k) retirement plan

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Education discounts through Horizons

Caregiving support resources

Employee Referral Program

Job summary

Bright Horizons Children's Centers is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to support the catered kitchen at a child care center, preparing nutritious meals and maintaining a warm, routine-focused kitchen environment for children and staff. This full-time, Monday–Friday role typically runs 7am–3pm and emphasizes safety, nutrition, and teamwork.

Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED and a preference for food handler certification and nutrition coursework.

Qualifications

• Must be 18+ with a high school diploma or GED.
• Food handler certification within 30 days of hire is preferred.
• Course work or certification in Nutrition is preferred.
• Food service experience in childcare, school cafeteria, or high-volume setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in meal preparation and kitchen operations.
• Ensure nutritious, family-style meals that support children's health and learning.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety in the kitchen.

Skills

Communication

Work under pressure

Nutrition awareness

Dietary requirements

Education

High school diploma or GED

Food handler certification (within 30 days)

Nutrition course or certification

Job description

As a Kitchen Assistant at Bright Horizons, you will support in the catered kitchen of a child care center where nutritious, family-style meals that support children's health, growth, and learning are served. 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.

This is a Monday - Friday full-time position with preferable hours of 7am - 3pm.

Responsibilities:

• Previous experience within a role which involves cooking or working in a kitchen within a domestic or commercial property
• Passion for nutrition, and inspiring others in healthy eating
• Ability to demonstrate a sound knowledge of managing different dietary requirements, particularly food allergies
• Great communication skills, with both colleagues, children, and parents
• Ability to work under pressure

Qualifications:

Candidates must pass required state and company background checks and meet state and company minimum education and experience requirements:

• 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GEDis required
• Having or obtaining a food handler certification within 30 days of hire is preferred
• Course work or certification in Nutrition is preferred
• Food service experience in a childcare center, school cafeteria, commercial kitchen, or highvolume food service setting is preferred

Be part of a community where people grow, futures are shaped, and lives are changed. We offer the rewards, opportunities, and support you deserve because making a difference goes both ways. We're changing the world of work and family, and it starts with you. At Bright Horizons, you're the difference.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local, Bright Horizons', and client site requirements concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, and health and safety training. If hired, you will work in person in an early education/preschool child care center to provide food service per Bright Horizons' policies, procedures and guidance, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that will ensure safety of children in Bright Horizons care and the employee.

Physical demands include lifting and carrying food and supplies (typically 10 to 40 pounds, occasionally up to 50 pounds), standing for extended periods, bending, reaching, pushing carts, and performing repetitive kitchen and cleaning tasks. Employees must maintain mental and physical alertness and be able to respond immediately and appropriately to unexpected situations or emergencies.

The full set of physical requirements for this role can be reviewed at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/job-descriptions. Bright Horizons complies with all laws that require reasonable accommodations for qualifying disabilities and/or pregnancy-related limitations.

Compensation:

The hourly rate for this position is between $14.42 - $19.47 per hour. The pay range listed here is what Bright Horizons in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers within this range will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education and training, certifications, geography, and other relevant business or organizational factors.

Benefits:

Bright Horizons offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• 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
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Learn more at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/us/en/health-and-wellness

Life at Bright Horizons:

At Bright Horizons, you're more than your job title -you're the difference. Whether you're nurturing a child's first steps or supporting the systems behind the scenes, your work creates real impact. We're a community that celebrates individuality, invests in your growth, and supports your whole self. Because when you thrive, so do the children, families, and clients we serve. Join us and help build a brighter future - for yourself and for others.

Bright Horizons provides equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Bright Horizons complies with the laws and regulations described in the following federal government resources: Know Your Rights, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).

If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation in completing these application materials or any aspect of the application and hiring process, please contact the recruitment helpdesk at 855-877-6866 or [e-mail]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis.