Childcare Cook

About the Role

Northside Family Resource Centre is looking for a caring, reliable and organised Cook to join our childcare team in Limerick. This is a lovely opportunity for someone who enjoys preparing healthy meals for children and wants to be part of a warm, community-focused setting.

In this role, you will help provide fresh, nutritious food each day for children in our care, while keeping the kitchen clean, safe and well organised. You will play an important part in supporting children’s wellbeing and creating a positive mealtime experience.

What You’ll Do

  • Prepare and cook healthy, balanced meals and snacks for children each day

  • Plan simple, nutritious menus suitable for young children

  • Take account of allergies, dietary requirements and individual needs

  • Keep the kitchen clean, tidy and in line with food safety and hygiene standards

  • Store food correctly and monitor stock levels

  • Order supplies as needed and help reduce waste where possible

  • Keep clear records in line with food safety requirements

  • Work closely with childcare staff to support children’s routines and needs

  • Help create a calm, welcoming and positive environment around mealtimes

What We’re Looking For

Required

  • Experience preparing and cooking meals in a professional setting

  • Good knowledge of food hygiene and kitchen safety

  • An understanding of healthy eating for young children

  • A careful and reliable approach to allergies and dietary needs

  • Good organisational skills and the ability to manage a daily routine

  • A warm, dependable and flexible attitude

  • Ability to work well as part of a team

Nice to Have

  • Previous experience working in a childcare, preschool, crèche or community setting

  • Relevant food safety training or certification

  • Experience planning menus for children

Why Join Northside FRC

  • Be part of a welcoming, supportive and community-based organisation

  • Do meaningful work that supports children’s health and wellbeing

  • Join a childcare team where your contribution is genuinely valued

  • Enjoy a role with purpose, routine and variety

What Success Looks Like

  • Children receive fresh, healthy meals and snacks each day

  • Dietary needs and allergies are managed with care and attention

  • The kitchen is kept to a high standard of cleanliness and safety

  • Mealtimes run smoothly and support a positive experience for children

  • You become a trusted and valued part of the childcare team

Working Environment

This is a hands-on role in a busy childcare setting, suited to someone who takes pride in good home-style cooking, enjoys being organised, and understands the importance of providing safe, nourishing food for children.

Apply for position now

Apply with LinkedIn

Application Form

Thank you for your interest in Northside Family Resource Centre. We look forward to learning more about you. The short questions below give you an opportunity to tell us about your experience, skills, and what interests you about this role. We encourage you to read the job description before completing your application and to use your answers to highlight how your experience, qualifications, and approach align with the role requirements. Applications that do not address the questions or do not reference the role requirements may not be shortlisted.

Do you have previous experience working in a kitchen, catering, food preparation, or similar environment?
Have you completed Food Safety/HACCP training?
Have you previously worked in a childcare, school, healthcare, or community setting?
Riverside Early Childhood Centre operates between 8:00am and 6:00pm, Monday to Friday. As working hours may vary depending on service needs, are you available to work flexible hours within this timeframe?
As this role may occasionally involve travel between our services, please select the option that best applies to you:
This role requires candidates to attend an in-person interview at Northside Family Resource Centre. If shortlisted, would you be available to attend an in-person interview?
What is your current right to work in Ireland?
If we feel your skills and experience may be a good fit for another current or future vacancy, would you be happy for us to consider your application for those opportunities over the next 12 months?

Pre-Employment Checks Acknowledgement

Northside Family Resource Centre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. As part of our safer recruitment processes, candidates who are successful following interview will be required to: Complete Garda Vetting. Provide police clearance from any country in which they have resided for six months or more. Provide two references, one of which must be from their current or most recent employer. Consent to written and telephone verification of references. Provide evidence of qualifications and participate in qualification verification where applicable.

I agree that