ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Preschool Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Northstar Preschools

Preschool Kitchen Chef

Spring, TX · On-site

$12 - $16/hr

We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Kitchen Chef to oversee all aspects of meal preparation ... Northstar Preschools at Spring believes in fostering academic, social, and developmental growth ...

Northstar Preschools

Preschool Kitchen Chef

Spring, TX · On-site

We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Kitchen Chef to oversee all aspects of meal preparation ... Northstar Preschools at Spring believes in fostering academic, social, and developmental growth ...

Cadence Academy Preschool

Preschool Cook

Iowa City, IA · On-site

$13.55 - $17.62/hr

Cadence Academy Preschool, a proud member of the Cadence Education family, is hungry for a ... With 325+ schools across 30 states and 30+ years of expertise, Cadence Education is the top chef in ...

Primrose School of Burlington

Chef

Burlington, MA

$22 - $24/hr

Eager to learn and design new ways of doing things Our Chef is integral to fulfilling our mission to be the premier preschool in New England. Responsibilities include managing our on-site warming ...

Primrose School

Chef

Burlington, MA · On-site

$22 - $24/hr

Eager to learn and design new ways of doing things Our Chef is integral to fulfilling our mission to be the premier preschool in New England. Responsibilities include managing our on-site warming ...

Cadence Academy Preschool

Preschool Cook

Gig Harbor, WA · On-site

$18.54 - $24.10/hr

With 340+ schools across 30 states and 30+ years of expertise, Cadence Education is the top chef in ... Meets all state preschool cook requirements. * 1 year of experience in food planning, preparation ...

Cadence Academy Preschool

Preschool Cook

Lacey, WA · On-site

$18.60 - $24.18/hr

With 340+ schools across 30 states and 30+ years of expertise, Cadence Education is the top chef in ... Meets all state preschool cook requirements. * 1 year of experience in food planning, preparation ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPreschool Chef Jobs

Preschool Chef information

See salary details

$10

$24

$44

How much do preschool chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for preschool chef in the United States is $24.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $31.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are preschool chefs?

Preschool chefs are culinary professionals who prepare healthy and nutritious meals and snacks for children in a preschool setting. They are responsible for planning menus that adhere to dietary guidelines, managing food allergies, and ensuring food safety. Preschool chefs also work closely with staff to accommodate special dietary needs and to create a positive mealtime environment for young children. Their goal is to provide meals that support the growth and development of preschool-aged kids.

What is the difference between Preschool Chef vs Kitchen Assistant?

AspectPreschool ChefKitchen Assistant
CredentialsFood safety certification, culinary trainingBasic food handling certification, on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentPreschools, daycare centers, early childhood education facilitiesCommercial kitchens, cafeterias, school dining areas
Employer & IndustryPreschools, childcare providersSchools, catering services, food service companies
Job FocusPreparing nutritious meals for preschool childrenAssisting with food prep, cleaning, and kitchen maintenance

The main difference between a Preschool Chef and a Kitchen Assistant is that the Preschool Chef is responsible for planning and preparing nutritious meals specifically for preschool children, requiring culinary skills and food safety certifications. In contrast, the Kitchen Assistant supports kitchen operations through food prep and cleaning tasks, often with less formal culinary training. Both roles are essential in early childhood food service environments but differ in responsibilities and skill requirements.

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

To thrive as a Preschool Chef, you need a background in food preparation, nutrition, and food safety, often supported by a food handler’s permit or culinary certificate. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, menu planning software, and allergy management systems is typically required. Patience, creativity, and effective communication are important soft skills for engaging with young children and collaborating with staff. These skills ensure the safe preparation of nutritious and appealing meals, supporting the health and well-being of preschoolers in a regulated environment.

What are some common challenges faced by a Preschool Chef when preparing meals for young children?

A Preschool Chef often faces the challenge of accommodating a wide variety of dietary restrictions, allergies, and picky eating habits among children. They must ensure meals are not only nutritious and appealing but also meet strict food safety standards tailored for young kids. Balancing creativity with regulations and working closely with teachers and caregivers to understand children's needs are key aspects of the role. Additionally, managing time efficiently during busy meal periods and maintaining a clean, organized kitchen environment are daily priorities.
More about Preschool Chef jobs
What states have the most Preschool Chef jobs? States with the most job openings for Preschool Chef jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Preschool Chef jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Preschool Chef jobs are:
Preschool Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Preschool Chef job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $51,225 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

Preschool Chef - Bus Driver - Janitorial Assistance

The Learning Experience

Frankfort, IL • On-site

$15/hr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Cooks at The Learning Experience are ambassadors of happiness, creating opportunities every day that reflect our mission to make a difference in the lives of children, their families, and communities.
Role Responsibilities:
  • Plan and prepare nutritious meals for children that meet proper nutritional requirements
  • Ensure the safety of all children by maintaining and tracking food allergies for each child in our center and communicates identified allergies to teachers daily with every food delivery.
  • Adhere to proper food safety, food handling, and sanitation procedures ensuring that food is stored and handled properly
  • Partner with the Center Leadership team to purchase all food/supplies necessary and keep inventory records as required by local and state agencies
  • Provide excellent customer service and positive attitude towards parents and children, listens and communicates effectively
  • Demonstrates flexibility to the daily business need of a childcare center
  • Drive bus to pick up and drop off school age children
  • Assist with janitorial services throughout the day

Qualifications:
  • High School Diploma or equivalent
  • 1+ year of experience in food preparation and cooking
  • Possesses a food handling certificate or ability to receive within 90 days of hire
  • Must be able to lift a minimum of 25 lbs.

Compensation: $15.00 per hour
The Learning Experience
At The Learning Experience, we make early education joyful, engaging and fun so children are happy to learn, play and grow
Our curriculum focuses on the six ages and stages of early childhood development and engages children in hands-on learning activities that encourage them to explore and solve problems at their own rate of development. This forms a foundation for kids to Learn, Play and Grow under the care of our nurturing teachers and staff.
At TLE®, we've created a full cast of characters that become our little learners' educators, partners and friends through their preschool education journey. Each character has a unique personality and area of interest and brings learning to life by allowing children to explore the world through fun and imagination.
This franchise is independently owned and operated by a franchisee. Your application will go directly to the franchisee, and all hiring decisions will be made by the management of this franchisee. All inquiries about employment at this franchisee should be made directly to the franchise location, and not to The Learning Experience Corporate.

Apply