LEAD COOK

The Inclusive Early Learning Center (IELC) is a dedicated educational establishment that focuses on providing high-quality early childhood education and care. IELC is committed to supporting the developmental needs of young children, creating a nurturing and educational environment. As part of the IELC Central department, this role is integral to supporting the health and nutrition of children enrolled in the Inclusive Early Learning program by ensuring that all meals and snacks provided meet high standards of nutrition, safety, and compliance with federal guidelines.

The Preschool Lead Cook position plays a vital role within the IELC team. The individual filling this role will be responsible for preparing wholesome, nutritious meals and snacks for preschool children, adhering strictly to the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines. This employment opportunity offers a full-time schedule from Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 12:30 PM, with a competitive wage range between $11.33 and $14.95 per hour.

The lead cook will plan and prepare daily menus customized to meet the dietary needs and preferences of young children, including accommodations for allergies and cultural dietary practices. This includes purchasing all program needs and maintaining stringent food safety and sanitation standards in compliance with regulatory health regulations. The role also involves detailed documentation, including meal counts, production records, and inventory logs, to ensure compliance with CACFP regulations and to maintain transparency and accountability.

Collaboration with teaching staff is critical to support smooth meal transitions and to integrate nutrition-related activities that encourage healthy eating habits among children. The role requires ongoing training and certification in CACFP to maintain current knowledge and skills pertinent to child nutrition and safety. Supervisory responsibilities are also part of the position, as the Lead Cook will oversee the work of an Assistant Cook, fostering a motivated and effective kitchen team.

Competencies required for this position include leadership and staff motivation skills, strong business acumen, consultation capability, and ethical practice. A global and cultural awareness perspective, combined with relationship management skills, is essential to effectively cater to the diverse needs of the children and families served by IELC. The ideal candidate is kid-focused, friendly, highly organized, detail-oriented, and a strong team player with excellent communication skills.

In summary, the Preschool Lead Cook position is a rewarding career opportunity for those passionate about early childhood education and nutrition. It allows individuals to make a significant difference in the lives of young children by contributing positively to their health and learning environment through the preparation of nutritious meals and fostering healthy eating habits.