Since numerical calculations are needed to modify the amounts of ingredients in some recipes, a daycare cook must have good math skills. Exemplary planning abilities are required to accurately forecast food needs to avoid waste and loss. A daycare cook must have culinary skills and be adept at using cutlery and operating common kitchen machines such as electric slicers, blenders and food processors. He must be follow government guidelines in storing and preparing food to avoid contamination or spoilage.
Cooking food that meets nutritional guidelines provided by local, state and federal agencies is the main responsibility for daycare cook. Besides being wholesome and nourishing, the food must appeal to the developing palates of young children. The cook must be aware of food allergies suffered by some children and adapt his recipes accordingly. He has a food budget he must adhere to as well as a checklist of fruits or vegetables that must be included in each meal. The cook typically has to prepare reports on what he cooks and serves for management and government regulatory agencies.
Depending on the size of the daycare operation, the cook may have a small or large kitchen in which to work. His job requires him to spend many hours on his feet. His hours are dependent upon whether the daycare center feeds the children all three daily meals or a portion thereof. He has to be physically fit and strong enough to lift heavy bags or cartons of food. Fingerprint checks are performed on daycare cooks prior to employment.
A high school diploma or equivalent is required to be a daycare cook. Courses in safe food handling and storage practices, nutrition or cooking are desirable. Knowledge gained from experience in other food preparation environments is a plus for aspiring daycare cooks.
The salary range in the United States for a daycare cook was $23,076 to $31,140 as of 2010. In small daycare facilities, advancement opportunities are generally not available. In larger operations that have a staff of food preparers, a daycare cook may be promoted to a supervisory position and receive a salary increase.