COOK - SEEDLINGS CHILDCARE CENTER

JOB TITLE: Cook – Seedling Childcare Center

DEPARTMENT: Seedling Center   

REPORTS TO: Seedling Center Director

JOB SUMMARY

The Childcare Center cook oversees operations of the food program, including sanitation, meal planning and preparation, ordering and shopping, serving food to children & staff, maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen area, record keeping that may include ensuring compliance for the Child Care Food Program, ensures compliance with all health, sanitation and fire regulations relating to food preparation for a child care facility. The cook will interact with a variety of children and may be asked to substitute on occasion if a staff member is absent.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Some education in food service or nutrition and/or experience in cooking is preferred. Knowledge of food handling, sanitation, safety precautions, care and use of kitchen utensils & equipment, basic record keeping and report preparation is also preferred. Must pass fingerprint clearance test and Department of Family Services background check. Valid driver’s license and insured automobile in good working order is required.

EXPERIENCE

Must be 21 years of age. Must possess basic knowledge of the child nutrition and the eating habits of children. Experience in child food service preparation is preferred.

SKILLS

• Must possess a high degree of confidentiality in all matters with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with tact, professionalism, and diplomacy.
• Must have good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with staff and public in a friendly, courteous and helpful manner.
• Must have the ability to work well with children, parents, staff, and the community.
• Must have the ability to plan and prepare nutritious meals and snacks for age’s birth through 6.
• Must be able to manage multiple tasks, sometimes under pressure, with calmness and patience
• Must have developed verbal communication skills.
• Helpful to have computer and keyboarding skills.
• Must have ability to learn Microsoft Word and Outlook at a basic level.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

BLS - First Aid Certification (AHA) required within 60 days of employment. Valid drivers’ license.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• In collaboration with the Program Director, develop weekly menus to meet nutrition requirements for the children. This may include also meeting meal pattern requirements of the childcare food program.
• Plans and prepares nutritious meals and snacks for enrolled children. Prepares substitute items for children on medically necessary restricted diets.
• Purchase food and supplies necessary to prepare the planned menu for the appropriate number of children, staying within the amount budgeted for meals and snacks.
• Practices safe food handling techniques in food preparation and storage.
• Keeps a weekly record of menus and displays the menus for center families and staff.
• Maintains verification of food and non-food purchases to meet the guidelines of the childcare food program, if required.
• Keeps a daily meal production record following the requirements of the childcare food program, if required.
• Operates standard cooking equipment.
• Ensures compliance with all state regulations and CRH policies.
• Assists and/or supervises children in a classroom if the teacher needs assistance or is ill.
• Assist teachers with developing food activities for the children in the classrooms.
• Attends childcare food program conferences and other workshops as needed, if required.
• Coordinates and responds to all inspections by licensing authorities.
• Assures provision of quality customer service consistent with the Mission, Vision, and Key Values of Cody Regional Health, and the organization’s Planetree philosophy.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS

• Attend various facility meetings, continuing education and special events.
• Responsible for the oversight of special projects or events as assigned.