BestStart Reliever Cook&Caregiver - Taranaki

Are you a wizz in the kitchen and love preparing healthy, delicious meals and making a difference in the lives of young children? BestStart is looking for a Reliever Cook and Caregiver to join our flexible, casual team in Taranaki. In this role, you'll cover centres across Taranaki, stepping in to support our teams whenever needed.

At BestStart, we believe in giving every child the best start in life. With centres right across the Taranaki region, we're a trusted name in early childhood education, known for quality care and strong community connections.

As a Reliever Cook and Caregiver, you'll play a vital role in supporting our centres. You'll:

• Plan and prepare nutritious, age-appropriate meals and snacks for our tamariki
• Cater to individual dietary needs and allergies
• Maintain high standards of food safety and hygiene
• Keep kitchen spaces clean and equipment in good working order
• Step into the caregiver role when needed, helping create positive, inclusive environments for tamariki

This is a varied and flexible role where no two days are the same. You'll gain experience across multiple BestStart centres in Taranaki, meet a range of teams, and make a real difference for our communities.

What we're looking for:

• A Food Handling Certificate (or similar) would be a great bonus, but we'll support the right applicant to gain the relevant training
• Experience in menu planning and cooking for groups is also a bonus
• A solid understanding of food safety and hygiene standards
• The ability to work in a busy, physical kitchen environment
• Great communication skills and a genuine love for working with children

BestStart offers strong support, professional growth, and a commitment to your wellbeing and development.

Ready to bring your passion for cooking and care to the BestStart Taranaki whanau? Apply now and be part of something special.