Daycare cooks are responsible for preparing and cooking all of the meals that will be served to the children in their care. They may also be tasked with cleaning up after these meals, washing dishes, utensils, pots, pans, etc.

Daycare cooks must have a deep understanding of nutrition and food safety standards. They need to know how to prepare healthy, nutritious meals that meet the needs of young children while also ensuring that these meals are properly stored and handled to prevent contamination or illness.

Daycare Cook Job Duties

A daycare cook typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Making sure that the children have a healthy lunch every day that meets their dietary needs
• Cleaning after the children eat lunch or snack time so that they can start their next activity without getting distracted by dirty dishes
• Preparing meals based on the children's preferences and diets, ensuring that they are nutritious, balanced, and appealing to children's tastes
• Cooking meals from scratch using recipes or from prepackaged food items
• Cleaning and maintaining kitchen equipment and facilities to ensure a safe environment for the children
• Cleaning up after meals are finished, including washing dishes, sweeping floors, and putting away utensils
• Preparing snacks for the children's after-school programs or daycare centers
• Monitoring children to ensure that they are eating their meals properly and behaving appropriately during mealtime
• Monitoring children during play activities to ensure that they are safe and having fun