Head Start Substitutes: Cook I-II

POSITION OVERVIEW

Working as a cooperative and collaborative member of a Head Start (HS) or Early Head Start (EHS) team, facilitates the overall food service function for one or more sites in accordance with Child Care Food Program (CCFP) and Head Start (HS) Performance Standards. Primary responsibilities include planning and preparation of meals and snacks for children and coordinating with teaching staff to plan nutrition education activities for children.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for the health and safety of children enrolled at the site while under HSCDP care.
• Participates in regular reflective supervision sessions and self-assessment to promote ongoing professional development.
• Works with teaching staff to plan nutrition experiences that relate to classroom curriculum; submits nutrition experience planning forms to Nutrition Coordinator at least one week in advance of scheduled activities. **
• Plans and prepares meals and snacks using provided menus and CCFP guidelines that incorporate any identified dietary needs and restrictions of the children.
• Purchases and transports groceries and supplies as needed following established budgetary limits.
• Maintains an accurate inventory of on-hand food and supplies including “disaster food” and substitute meals. **
• Ensures service of meals and snacks is done on schedule and in a way that is generally appealing to the children; engages children in meal and snack setup and service as appropriate.
• Ensures kitchen labels are in place and current so food, supplies and equipment can be easily located by other staff and volunteers as needed. **
• Completes all required forms and reports related to the kitchen and the food service functions.
• Maintains a sanitary environment by performing scheduled daily and weekly kitchen cleaning duties.
• Completes equipment inventory annually and notifies Nutrition Coordinator of needed supplies or equipment. **
• Works in the classroom to facilitate staff break reliefs or as a substitute as assigned.
• Provides nutritional information and recipes to parents and maintains a nutrition bulletin board with information updated monthly. **
• Informs Site Supervisor of all concerns, observations or information provided by a parent or guardian, in a timely manner.
• For bilingual employees, performs all job duties utilizing dual language ability as necessary to provide optimum support and services for clients and HSCDP staff.
• Attends staff meetings, in-service training sessions and conferences as