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Daycare Cook Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Helping Hand Day Nursery Inc

Daycare Cook

Tampa, FL · On-site

$16.25 - $20.75/hr

We are seeking a Daycare Cook to join our team! We are a family-oriented daycare seeking to hire a qualified cook. The position offers competitive pay and paid time off. Candidates must pass a ...

Helping Hand Day Nursery Inc

Daycare Cook

Tampa, FL · On-site

$16.25 - $20.75/hr

We are seeking a Daycare Cook to join our team! We are a family-oriented daycare seeking to hire a qualified cook. The position offers competitive pay and paid time off. Candidates must pass a ...

Treehouse Academy LLC

Daycare Cook

Edgerton, WI

$13 - $14/hr

About This Role Dedicated and experienced daycare cook committed to providing nutritious and delicious meals for young children. Skilled in creating balanced menus that meet dietary guidelines and ...

Early Explorers Learning Center, LLC

Daycare Cook

Liberty, MO · On-site

$12.25 - $16.25/hr

We are seeking a reliable and team-oriented Daycare Cook to prepare and serve nutritious meals for children in a licensed childcare setting. This position is primarily responsible for morning food ...

Creative Learning Center

Daycare Cook

Beaumont, TX

$11 - $12/hr

About This Role The cook position is part-time from 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. What You'll Do Wash Dishes Prepare Food Maintain cleanliness in the kitchen Monitor Inventory Prepare Menu ...

True Love Christian Academy

Daycare Cook

Memphis, TN

$10/hr

The Child Care Center Cook is responsible for menu planning, planning of groceries and supplies list and daily preparation of nutritious meals and snacks served to the children (ages 12 months to 5 ...

The Learning Experience

Daycare Cook

North Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$16.25 - $20.75/hr

As a Preschool Cook with us, you'll play a key role in making a difference in the lives of children, their families, and communities by cooking daily nutritious meals. You will: * Plan, prepare, and ...

Children's Lighthouse Parker

Daycare Cook

Parker, CO · On-site

$17 - $19/hr

Opportunity for advancement Childrens Lighthouse Learning Center located off Newlin Gulch and Chambers Road in Parker is currently seeking a Cook for our Early Learning Center. Required Skills and ...

Sunshine House

Daycare Cook & Driver

Columbia, SC · On-site

$16 - $19/hr

Daycare Cook & Driver Full Time Love making a difference? You'll fit right in. There's something truly special about knowing you're shaping a child's future. When you join The Sunshine House family ...

New

Sunshine House

Daycare Cook & Driver

Columbia, SC

$16 - $19/hr

Daycare Cook & Driver | Full Time Love making a difference? You'll fit right in. There's something truly special about knowing you're shaping a child's future. When you join The Sunshine House family ...

New

Sunshine House

Daycare Cook & Driver

Columbia, SC · On-site

$16 - $19/hr

Daycare Cook & Driver | Full Time Love making a difference? You'll fit right in. There's something truly special about knowing you're shaping a child's future. When you join The Sunshine House family ...

New

Unitech Training Academy

Daycare Cook/Janitor

Alexandria, LA · On-site

$13.25 - $16.75/hr

Cook/Janitor Schedule: Full-time Hourly Position For My Child Learning Center is a skills-based and center-structured early learning environment guided by developmentally appropriate practices. The ...

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Daycare Cook information

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$11

$19

$25

How much do daycare cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for daycare cook in the United States is $19.22, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Daycare Cooks?

Daycare Cooks are responsible for preparing and serving nutritious meals and snacks for children at a daycare facility. They plan menus that meet dietary guidelines and accommodate food allergies or special needs. Daycare Cooks also ensure that the kitchen area is clean and compliant with health and safety regulations, and they often work closely with daycare staff to support children's well-being. Their role is vital in providing healthy food choices to promote children's growth and development while at daycare.

What are some common challenges faced by a Daycare Cook and how can they be managed?

Daycare Cooks often face the challenge of preparing nutritious meals that meet strict dietary guidelines and accommodate various allergies and preferences among children. Managing time efficiently to serve meals on schedule while maintaining food safety and cleanliness standards is essential. Effective communication with daycare staff is crucial to stay informed about children's needs and any last-minute changes. Staying organized and planning menus in advance can help streamline meal preparation and reduce stress during busy times.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Daycare Cook, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Daycare Cook, you need knowledge of nutrition, safe food handling, and meal preparation, often backed by a food handler's permit or certification. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment and compliance with health department regulations are typically required. Attention to detail, organization, and effective communication with staff and children are valuable soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure the preparation of healthy, safe meals that support children's well-being and meet regulatory standards.

What Does a Daycare Cook Do?

Daycare cooks plan, prepare, and clean up meals at a daycare facility. As a daycare cook, you prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for children. You must have knowledge of healthy, complete meals and use budgeting skills to make food purchases for a given period of time. Your responsibilities include ensuring enough food is available each day and that each meal is USDA food guide compliant. Other duties involve maintaining a clean kitchen workspace, storing food according to local health unit guidelines, and serving food hygienically. You also interact with children and model appropriate food handling and eating etiquette.

What is the difference between Daycare Cook vs School Lunch Cook?

AspectDaycare CookSchool Lunch Cook
CredentialsFood handler’s permit, basic cooking skillsFood handler’s permit, food safety certification
Work EnvironmentChildcare centers, daycare facilitiesSchools, educational institutions
Employer & IndustryChildcare providers, daycare industrySchool districts, education sector
Job FocusPreparing nutritious meals for young childrenPreparing meals for students, adhering to school menus

While both roles involve preparing meals for children, a Daycare Cook focuses on creating nutritious, age-appropriate food in daycare settings, whereas a School Lunch Cook prepares meals for larger groups of students in school cafeterias, often following strict nutritional guidelines and menus.

More about Daycare Cook jobs
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What are the most commonly searched types of Daycare Cook jobs? The most popular types of Daycare Cook jobs are:
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Daycare Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Daycare Cook job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 31% Full Time, and 69% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $39,979 per year, or $19.2 per hour.

Daycare Cook

Helping Hand Day Nursery Inc

Tampa, FL • On-site

$16.25 - $20.75/hr

Full-time

PTO

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

We are seeking a Daycare Cook to join our team!  We are a family-oriented daycare seeking to hire a qualified cook.  The position offers competitive pay and paid time off.  Candidates must pass a background screening, possess a passion for cooking and children, demonstrate reliability, have a commitment to food service protocols, and dedication to teamwork.  If you're interested, please submit a resume or call (813) 988-5300.

Company Description

Helping Hand provides quality, affordable childcare and educational services for low-income working families.