Preschool Cook
Would you love a job making a difference for children and families? Opportunities await at Kama'aina Kids, one of Hawaii's Top Workplaces!
Preschool Cook – Pearl City
$500 New Hire Bonus • Part-Time
Because feeding keiki is professional work rooted in care—not a dinner rush.
You’ve cooked at scale.
You understand food safety, routines, and consistency.
You know how to run a kitchen without chaos.
If you’re looking for predictable hours, meaningful work, and a calmer pace than restaurants or catering—this role may be exactly what you’ve been missing.

Let’s Be Clear (Because the Right Experience Matters)
This is not a restaurant line cook role.
There’s no ticket rail, no late nights, and no rush service.
But this is a professional kitchen role.
We’re looking for cooks with commercial or institutional kitchen experience who understand:
Cooking in quantity
Following standardized menus and nutrition guidelines
Maintaining food safety and sanitation standards
Working independently and keeping a kitchen inspection-ready
If you’ve worked in:
Schools or childcare centers
Catering or banquet kitchens
Hotels, resorts, or military kitchens
Senior living or healthcare food service
Any commercial or institutional kitchen
—you already have the background we’re looking for.
What This Role Is Really About
As a Preschool Cook, you are part of the care team.
The meals you prepare support children’s growth, learning, and lifelong healthy habits.
You’ll be responsible for:
Preparing and serving meals and snacks for preschool-aged children
Following established menus, nutrition guidelines, and food safety standards
Maintaining a clean, organized, and inspection-ready kitchen
Managing your time independently and efficiently
Supporting a respectful, calm, and child-centered environment
Training is provided for our systems and menus—you bring the professional kitchen foundation and reliability.
Schedule & Location
Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
✔ No evenings
✔ No weekends
✔ Predictable weekday schedule
✔ Afternoons free for family, appointments, or personal time
This role works around life—not the other way around.
Now Hiring At:
Pearl City Preschool
Who Thrives in This Role
This position is a great fit if you are:
Experienced in a commercial or institutional kitchen
Comfortable cooking in volume and following set menus
Organized, dependable, and food-safety focused
Looking for stable, meaningful work with a consistent routine
Interested in stepping away from high-pressure kitchen environments
You don’t need restaurant credentials—you need professional kitchen experience, consistency, and care.
Why Join Kama‘āina Kids
Top Workplace – 5 years running
Mission-driven, local nonprofit serving Hawaiʻi’s families
Structured expectations and supportive leadership
Training and onboarding provided
Benefits available even for part-time roles
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive Pay: $20–$25/hour
$500 Sign-On Bonus
College Tuition Reimbursement
Health, Vision & Dental Insurance
401(k) with Company Match
Childcare Discounts (50–75% off!)
Paid Time Off & Holidays (Yes—your birthday is a holiday 🎉)
And more! Visit our Career Page for full details
The Bottom Line
If you’re a professional cook who values purpose, routine, and a well-run kitchen, this is more than a job.
It’s work that matters—to children, families, and the community.
Apply today and help nourish Hawaiʻi’s keiki—one meal at a time.
Why Kama‘āina Kids?
We’re Hawaiʻi’s largest locally owned nonprofit childcare provider, proudly recognized as a Top Workplace for five years running. Our mission is to enrich the lives of children and families—and we support our staff with training, stability, and aloha.
Preschools located on O‘ahu and Maui
School-age programs on Kaua‘i, Big Island, O‘ahu, and Maui
Please indicate location preferences on your application.
Visit kamaainakids.com for more information.
*Must be eligible to work in the U.S. and reside in Hawaiʻi (or have plans to relocate).

Kama‘āina Kids is an equal opportunity employer.
We celebrate and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences within our workforce ‘ohana.
- Division
- Preschool
- Role
- Prep Cook
- Locations
- Pearl City, Aiea
Testimonials
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I am new and learning from the coworkers who've been here longer. They welcomed me right away and I feel part of this team. Everyone is friendly with each other and we laugh a lot.
J.D.
Group Leader
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Our center is a welcoming place, and all the staff have a good working relationship. I highly recommend this place to those who are looking for a job they'd want to at stay for years and years!
A.K.
Preschool Teacher
Pearl City, Aiea
About Kamaaina Kids
Hawaiiʻs Enrichment & Education Professionals
A Non-profit Organization