Child Care Center Cook

Cook Position

The Cook assists teachers and administrators in providing a safe, caring, and positive environment for all children. They help with daily routines, classroom activities, and supervision of indoor and outdoor play while promoting children's self-help skills and emotional well-being. Responsibilities include maintaining cleanliness and sanitation, following health and safety procedures, and working cooperatively under the direction of the Teacher, Assistant Teachers, Assistant Director, and Director.

Essential Job Functions

• Interact with children in a manner that clearly conveys love and acceptance.
• Follow the health and safety policies and procedures.
• Ask for help and assistance when needed.
• Be prompt and dependable in attendance.
• Assist with the clean-up of snacks and meals.
• Follow all policies and procedures.
• Wash and maintain laundry.
• Clean and maintain dishes.
• Maintain supply inventory of food, kitchen supplies, and other items.
• Create monthly menu following the CACFP guidelines.
• Order and coordinate food orders and deliveries.
• Inspect labels and ensure food is properly stored.
• Complete cleaning duties, including: sanitize equipment daily, take out garbage, sweep and mop floors, vacuum carpets, clean toilets, and perform all other cleaning tasks assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED (minimum).
• Experience in childcare or a related setting is preferred but not required.
• Additional training Early Childhood Education (ECE) courses, paraprofessional certificate, or Child Development Associate (CDA) preferred
• 12 years of hands-on experience with cooking in a professional setting.
• Currently hold or ability to obtain CPR and First Aid certification.

Other Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs and move frequently to respond to children's needs.
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Reliable, flexible, and passionate about working with children.
• Demonstrate a patient and loving attitude toward young children.
• Mandatory reporter training for child abuse in Iowa (required within 30/90 days of employment).
• Clearance of background checks, fingerprint checks, and a physical exam
• Commitment to ongoing professional development

Continuing Professional Development

Training:

• Commitment to ongoing training and professional development (at least 12 hours per year), in compliance with Iowa regulations.
• Staying up to date with current practices in child care and education.

Physical Qualifications

• Position requires constant lifting, twisting, stooping, bending, squatting, kneeling and reaching. Pushing and pulling may be required. Frequently exposed and subject to changes in temperature and humidity, vapor, fumes, odors and infectious disease conditions.
• Must be able to routinely lift 30-50 pounds.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No supervisory responsibilities.

Equipment To Be Used

Must be able to operate computer and other office machines such as calculator, telephone, etc.

Typical Physical Demands

Maintain emotional control under stress. Work with frequent interruptions. Occasional prolonged and irregular hours, frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing and pulling; prolonged use of computer and repetitive hand motions; occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions

May be called upon to work overtime or odd schedules. Typically works in in the classroom. This position requires proficient organizational and communication skills. Must be able to perform several tasks at one time. This job requires the individual to be able to read, write and communicate with a diverse set of staff, children, youth, and parents/guardians.