Kitchen Staff @ Child Development Center

Position Summary

The Kitchen Staff member is responsible for supporting the daily food service operations of our childcare program. This position prepares, portions, organizes, and serves meals and snacks for children across 8–10 classrooms each day while maintaining high standards of food safety, cleanliness, and organization.

The ideal candidate is dependable, organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced kitchen environment. Experience working in a childcare, school, or institutional food service setting is preferred.

Essential Responsibilities

• Prepare and portion breakfast, lunch, and snacks for 8–10 classrooms each day .
• Portion food according to classroom attendance and program requirements, using both cups and ounces to ensure accurate serving sizes.
• Portion breakfast for the next school day based on a 5-week rotating menu. Breakfast typically includes cereal, muffin, or bagel, with fruit and milk.
• Assemble food orders for breakfast and snack in advance according to the daily menu and classroom needs.
• Ensure meals and snacks are properly labeled, organized, and ready for timely classroom delivery. (Infant, Yearlings, Toddlers 8:45, 11:45, and 2:45) (Preschool & Pre-K 9, 12, 3). School-age students get a snack only unless it is a no-school day, served at 3 PM.
• Follow established menus, portion guidelines, and food service procedures.
• Practice proper food handling, food storage, sanitation, and hygiene procedures at all times.
• Maintain appropriate food temperatures and follow required food safety practices.
• Wash dishes, utensils, serving equipment, and kitchen items throughout the day.
• Clean and sanitize food preparation areas, dishes, equipment, counters, and other kitchen surfaces.
• Maintain an organized kitchen, pantry, refrigerator, and food storage areas.
• Monitor food and kitchen supplies and communicate when items need to be reordered. (BJs, AllbrandNE, Walmart)
• Assist with receiving, storing, and organizing food deliveries and supplies.
• Work efficiently to ensure meals and snacks are prepared and delivered according to the daily schedule.

Qualifications

• Previous kitchen, food service, school, or childcare food preparation experience preferred.
• Knowledge of safe food handling and sanitation practices .
• Ability to accurately measure and portion food using cups, ounces, and other measuring tools.
• Ability to read and follow a rotating menu and written food preparation instructions.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work efficiently while managing multiple tasks and classroom orders.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform routine kitchen duties, including lifting, carrying, bending, and washing dishes.
• Dependable, punctual, and able to work cooperatively as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain a clean and sanitary work environment.
• Food handler certification or other required food safety certification preferred or required according to applicable regulations.

Schedule & Work Environment

This position works in a childcare program kitchen and involves daily preparation and service of breakfast, lunch, and snacks for multiple classrooms. The position requires frequent standing, walking, lifting, carrying, measuring, food preparation, and dishwashing. Hours are Monday – Friday 8-4:30, with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break, totaling 40 hours per week. 

Key Skills

• Food safety and sanitation
• Accurate food portioning
• Organization and time management
• Attention to detail
• Menu preparation
• Kitchen cleanliness
• Teamwork and reliability
• Ability to work in a busy childcare environment

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for most of the workday.
• Ability to lift and carry food, dishes, kitchen supplies, and equipment.
• Ability to bend, reach, and work at kitchen counters and sinks.
• Ability to safely perform repetitive tasks such as portioning, serving, cleaning, and washing dishes.

#Warwick