Cook, Child Care

Date Posted: February 11, 2026

Position Title: Cook, Child Care

Location: Portside YMCA Child Care - 151 W Cordova St, Vancouver BC

Term: Full Time, Permanent 

Hours: 35 hours per week

Shift: Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00am to 4:00pm 

Start Date: As soon as possible

Salary: $23.81 per hour

Reports To: Manager, Early Childhood and Family Development

Benefits:  

• Competitive vacation and paid sick time 
• Free YMCA Gym Membership+
• Generous employer-matched pension plan
• Eligibility for Extended Medical and Dental Benefits
• Training and Professional Development Opportunities
• Extensive Employee assistance program 
• Reduced childcare rates and priority placement for YMCA Staff
• Be part of a charitable organization that positively impacts the community

*Some benefits may vary based on region and employment terms 

Nature & Scope 

The Cook plans, prepares, and delivers nutritional snacks and hot meals for 30-40 children ages 0 to 5, in a licensed child care program. The cook is responsible for supervising the kitchen, preparing the menu, ordering and shopping for food and supplies, preparing quality meals, and ensuring a high quality of health and safety is met. Reporting to the Manager, Early Childhood and family Development, the Cook oversees the work of a Kitchen Assistant. The Cook works closely with the Early Childhood Educator team to ensure that all components of the food service program are meeting the needs of the children and follow the YMCA's Playing to Learn curriculum.

Major Responsibilities - in this position, you will: 

• Prepare nutritious daily snacks and hot lunch for 30-40 children on a daily basis, Monday to Friday
• Menu plan based on nutritional standards set by the Canada Food Guide and in conjunction with the YMCA's early childhood Playing to Learn curriculum
• Ensure that all food adheres to allergy plans and that cultural and other dietary restrictions are followed
• Meet all health and food preparation and storage standards as per Vancouver Coastal Health
• Purchase food through distributors, grocery delivery, or in person grocery shopping
• Manage costs and track expenses, ensuring the budget is followed
• Report unsafe conditions, incidents, accidents or other relevant issues to the Supervisor
• Clean eating areas, kitchen area and kitchen equipment by following proper cleaning procedures and ensuring the highest level of cleaning standards are maintained
• Lead kitchen orientation for new Early Childhood Educators to communicate best kitchen practices  
• Establish and maintain positive daily communication with staff, children and parents
• Attend and participate in staff meetings as required
• Complete administrative tasks related to food preparation in an accurate manner within prescribed timelines
• Manage time effectively to ensure that meals are served on time while also meeting expectations for menu creation, food ordering, shopping, cleaning/kitchen maintenance etc.
• Work with Early Childhood Educators to estimate daily food needs based on attendance

Qualification - you bring: 

• Food Safe certificate required
• Completion of Grade 12 required
• Emergency First Aid certificate (can be obtained within first 30 days of start date)
• 2-5 years of experience in food service preferably cooking for large groups of children, including experience in proper food handling, preparation and meal planning
• Experience working with young children in a child care/recreational setting, an asset
• Experience working independently, and able to self-structure work load
• Successful candidates will be required to provide a current and satisfactory Criminal Reference Check/Vulnerable Sector Search issued no later than six (6) months preceding your start date

About YMCA BC: 

By igniting belonging and championing health equity, YMCA BC strengthens the foundations of community. With over 3,000 employees and volunteers, YMCA BC serves 150,000 individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities across hundreds of service locations, from the Sunshine Coast to Fort St. John.  

As a charity, YMCA BC promotes equitable access to healthier outcomes by providing vital programs and services to help address many of our communities' most pressing social issues, including health and wellness, affordable child care and camps, mental health, employment services and community health.  

We believe there is potential inside all of us and envision vibrant, healthy and inclusive communities for all. 

YMCA BC is firmly committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB). By taking an intersectional approach to our programs and services, the YMCA is committed to creating spaces and experiences where everyone feels safe, welcome, and like they belong. Learn more at  

Application Process - ready to make a difference?  

We invite you to apply today and find your WHY  

Internal Applicants: Please apply online to this position through the ADP Workforce Now Career Centre. (Myself/Talent/Career Centre)  

Application Deadline: Until Filled

• Please include any and all relevant certifications in your online application.

You will receive an automated notification to confirm receipt of your application. 

• If short-listed for a position: We will contact, you to move forward to the next step.
• If not selected for a specific posting: Continue applying for future positions matching your qualifications and interests.  

Note: Depending on the role, we may be required to prioritize internal applicants. At YMCA BC, we approach each hiring process individually, recognizing that people bring diverse experiences and strengths. If this opportunity speaks to you, we encourage you to apply—even if you don't meet every listed qualification. Your unique background might be just what we're looking for. And if this role isn't the right fit, we hope you'll continue exploring future opportunities with us that align with your skills and aspirations. 

YMCA BC is committed to creating an inclusive, accessible environment where all members of our community feel valued, respected, and supported. We encourage applications from the diverse communities in which we live and serve, including but not limited to people of colour, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. We have established policies, procedures, and practices to meet accessibility standards throughout the hiring process. Should you require any accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our People Services department.   

Thank you for your interest and application.