What Is a Daycare Cook and How to Become One
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What Does a Daycare Cook Do?
Daycare cooks plan, prepare, and clean up meals at a daycare facility. As a daycare cook, you prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for children. You must have knowledge of healthy, complete meals and use budgeting skills to make food purchases for a given period of time. Your responsibilities include ensuring enough food is available each day and that each meal is USDA food guide compliant. Other duties involve maintaining a clean kitchen workspace, storing food according to local health unit guidelines, and serving food hygienically. You also interact with children and model appropriate food handling and eating etiquette.
How Can I Get a Job as a Daycare Cook?
Acquiring a job as a daycare cook involves getting a background check and a vulnerable sector background report. These reports allow you to work and be around young people in a work environment. You also need food handling certification from the state in which you are working. This certification must be ANSI compliant. Once you acquire the appropriate qualifications, you can then apply to childcare facilities. Previous experience in a kitchen is typically a requirement, particularly if you can prove experience in cooking different types of cuisine. You can also apply to work in school cafeterias and lunchrooms.
