Early Childhood Teacher

The Early Childhood Chef Educator works in partnership with the Centre Director to ensure that children enrolled in the program receive healthy and enjoyable meals and snacks. The childcare program offers traditional and plant-based menu options, and the Early Childhood Chef Educator must ensure that the menu is followed and meets Canada Food Guide standards. The Early Childhood Chef Educator must act in strict compliance with the Alberta Early Learning and Child Care Licensing Regulation and Act, and Alberta Health Services Environmental Public Health regulations. The chef is responsible for purchasing necessary items needed, tracking food costs, and minimizing food waste.

Key Responsibilities

Purchase food and supplies necessary to plan and prepare meals for the number of children enrolled (child-size portions) and ensure that there are ample amounts of food for the children to have as many servings as they need.
Modify recipes to meet the developmental needs of infants and toddlers and the nutritional needs of children with disabilities, allergies, or food restrictions. Ensure minimal cross-contamination with ingredients when preparing food for children with allergies or restrictions.
Maintains cost control budget and inventory systems based on program procedures including records of the food purchases, and the ingredients list for all inventory.
Prepare food in accordance with the Canada Food Guide. Where substitutions are necessary due to availability of ingredients or dietary needs, ensure substitution offers equivalent, or similar, nutritional value. Note all modifications and substitutes on the posted menu and Little Beginnings Urban Oasis childcare records.
Generate weekly shopping list for purchases using upcoming menus and current inventory.
Complete weekly shopping trips for required food and non-food kitchen materials, ensuring all required items are purchased including any substitutions.
Adheres to Alberta Health Services Food Safety guidelines to ensure cleanliness of kitchen and proper storage and preparation of food to minimize risk of food-borne illness. Complete daily safety and cleaning routines.
Assures the proper care and maintenance of all food service equipment; identifies equipment needs for food storage, preparation, and service and assists in purchasing as needed.
Assists in the coordination and implementation of nutritional education activities for staff, parents, and children.
Attends and participates in food service training, onsite training, and other continuing education, career, and professional development opportunities.
Participates in the agency’s self-evaluation process and regulatory monitoring visits (AHS, licensing) and complies with any program improvement plans developed.
Break coverage in the classrooms and step in ratio as required.
Participates in general staff meetings and other meetings that events planned by the program as requested.
Performs other duties, as assigned.
Competencies (define the abilities, skills, motivations, knowledge and traits to perform the job)

Knowledge

Knowledge of:

Food safe practices
Variety of food preparation techniques
Allergy-awareness
Plant-based menu modifications
Skills

Communication
Time management
Critical thinking and problem solving
Flexibility
Traits

Ability to:

Uphold a high degree of confidentiality
Act in a professional and ethical manner
Build positive relationships with families, children, and team members
Education and Experience

Required

Food Safety certificate (from AHS-approved source) at the time of hiring
Satisfactory Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search, dated within 6 months of hire or provided within 8 weeks of start date
Level 1 Early Childhood Education certificate, or willingness to complete within 6 months of hire
One year of experience in a professional cooking setting (eg. restaurant, school/daycare)
Minimum of a Class 5 Drivers License and access to vehicle
Preferred

Standard First Aid and CPR B or C
Experience working in group food service (eg. banquet, buffet, childcare)
Red Seal certification
Training in nutrition or dietetics
Job Type: Full-time

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

Dental care
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person