Daycare Cook

Position Summary

The Daycare Cook is responsible for preparing and serving nutritious meals and snacks for children, staff and guests in the Head Start program, adhering to nutritional guidelines and safety standards. The cook ensures that the children receive balanced meals that support their growth and development while managing kitchen operations efficiently.

Primary Responsibilities

• Meal Preparation: Prepare meals and snacks in accordance with the Canada Food guidelines and Head Start nutrition standards. The Head Start Cook may also prepare take out lunches for staff and children when appropriate. Stock the freezer with healthy, premade meals. Ensure that a monthly menu is submitted to the Head Start manager one week in advance of implementation for approval.

• Menu Planning: Collaborate with program administrators and nutritionists as needed to plan menus. Develops meal plans based on seasonal foods, balanced meals and culturally relevant foods. Shop and follow meal plans to be cost effective. Create seasonal menus that can be reused and simplified.

• Food Safety and Sanitation: Ensure all kitchen equipment and surfaces are sanitized and maintain high standards of hygiene. Follow food safety regulations to prevent contamination and illness. Ensure dates are put on all open packages and containers. Fill out and submit a weekly/monthly cleaning checklist.

• Inventory Management: Order and maintain an inventory of food supplies, ensuring that ingredients are fresh and stored properly. Rotate stock and check for expired products weekly.

• Serving Meals: Serve meals to children, ensuring portion control and dietary restrictions are followed.

• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records of food preparation, inventory, meal counts, and compliance with health and safety standards.

• Communication: Communicate with staff, and administrators regarding special dietary needs, allergies, and meal-related concerns. Post a list of known allergies in the kitchen.

• Guidance: May provide direction or training to assistant kitchen staff or volunteers in food preparation and safety procedures.

• Budgeting: Assist with managing food costs and staying within program budgets.

• Compliance: Ensure compliance with provincial and local regulations, as well as Head Start policies related to food and nutrition. Follow all childcare licensing, Head Start and Esquimalt Nation policies.

Other related duties as assigned

Training, Education and Experience

• Minimum two years’ experience in working with children

• Minimum two years’ experience in cooking for large groups

• Minimum of two years’ experience working in a First Nations community

• Level 1 First Aid (or willingness to obtain)

• Food Safe (or willingness to obtain)

• Anyone filling this position is required to provide and maintain a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check.

Training Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of Esquimalt/Indigenous people and culture

• Ability to work within a team

• Strong communication (verbal and written) skills and report writing skills

• Possesses reliable public relations and interpersonal skills to clarify facts, provide information and respond to community needs

• Proven ability to work with limited supervision and follow standardized practices and/or methods

• Ability to operate/perform/deliver within a defined budget

• Skilled in working with children and families

• Demonstrated mental alertness to ensure the safety of others 

Critical Success Factors

Committed to our guiding principles:

• Every individual reflects the whole
• Connect our spirituality to our work
• Promote self sufficiency

As permitted under Section 16 of the Canadian Human Rights Act, preference may be given to qualified Indigenous applicants (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) who meet the required education and experience and whose community connection and cultural knowledge support effective service to the Nation and its members.

The Esquimalt Nation administration office is located on Reserve land. As such, in accordance with Section 87 of the Indian Act, individuals who have Status under this act may be eligible for tax-exempt employment income. Eligibility is determined by the Canada Revenue Agency.

If you are an Esquimalt Nation member and interested in working with us, please contact us at humanresources@esquimaltnation.ca.

Only applicants successful in the screening process will be contacted. If you have any questions regarding jobs at Esquimalt Nation, please contact humanresources@esquimaltnation.ca

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