Centre Cook

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Centre Cook at ACG Penguins Preschool in East Auckland is a permanent/part-time, 25 hours per week role on-site in Howick. On-site parking is available. You’ll plan weekly menus within the centre’s nutritional framework, prepare daily meals, manage allergies, keep clear dietary records for staff, monitor stock, and uphold strict hygiene. The ideal candidate has early childhood or school kitchen experience, holds a Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2+), understands allergy management per ECE requirements, and ideally holds NZ Certificate in Cookery Level 3 or 4. Strong communication, reliability, and ethical values are essential. Apply with a focused CV and examples of menu planning or allergy management; note safeguarding checks apply; see jobs.inspirededu.com.

Inspired Education is the leading global group of premium schools, with a portfolio of 126 premium private schools in 28 countries spanning 6 continents which utilise proven educational practices from every corner of the globe, ensuring over 95,000 students receive a world-class learning experience from Kindergarten to Year 13.

Founded in 2013 by Nadim M. Nsouli, Inspired is backed by investors such as Stonepeak, GIC, TA Associates, and the Oppenheimer and Mansour family offices. The Group is experiencing 20% per annum growth through acquisition, greenfield site expansion, and the development of existing schools within its portfolio. In 2023, Inspired was recognised by Beauhurst as one of the UK's top 10 highest-value private companies.

ROLE SUMMARY:

ACG Penguins Preschool in East Auckland is the beginning of an exceptional educational journey for preschool children. Our scenic preschool and childcare centre is located on 1.5 acres and offers a nurturing environment with premium facilities where children can learn, play, and grow with confidence. We recognise the crucial role nutrition plays in children's development and learning in childcare, which is why our in-house catering service provides healthy, balanced meals and snacks daily. Our menus are designed to meet nutritional guidelines while introducing children to a variety of foods and flavours. We accommodate dietary requirements and allergies, ensuring that all children can fully participate in mealtimes and cooking activities.

We are recruiting an experienced Centre Cook to support the nutritional needs of our students. This is an exciting opportunity to join an established team and lead our nutritional programme. This is a permanent/part-time position located in Howick, Monday-Friday (25 hours per week). On-site parking available. If you are passionate about nutrition, wellbeing, and early childhood education, we would love to hear from you!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Weekly menu planning, taking into consideration all dietary requirements and operating within the centre's nutritional framework.
• Daily preparation of meals (morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and snacks).
• Close monitoring of special dietary requirements.
• Ensure all dietary requirements are clearly documented and communicated to staff.
• Manage ingredient and stock inventories to ensure supplies are always on hand.
• Observe strict hygiene and food safety protocols in the preparation, handling, serving, and clearing of food.
• Wash/sterilise dishes in main kitchen and return to rooms.
• Maintain positive interactions with staff, children, and families/whanau at all times.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

• Previous experience cooking in an early childhood or school kitchen setting is preferred.
• A Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or equivalent) is required.
• Strong understanding of allergy management and safe food handling practices in line with ECE requirements is essential.
• Ideally, the candidate will hold a New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3 or 4) or equivalent qualification.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Strong ethical and moral values.
• Ability to meet deadlines.

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

Inspired Education Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

Visit our careers site for more information; https://jobs.inspirededu.com