Food Service & Classroom Support Aide

Manchester Community Schools; Manchester (MI); On-site; USD 19,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester Early Childhood Center (MECC) is seeking a dependable Food Service & Classroom Support Aide to assist with meal preparation and service while also providing classroom coverage during staff breaks.

The position supports daily operations, ensuring food safety, dietary needs are met, and classroom supervision across infant to preschool levels.

Qualifications

• Food service safety knowledge and compliance
• Ability to follow dietary needs and restrictions
• Confidentiality and licensing compliance
• Flexibility to adapt to changing classroom needs
• Cooperative teamwork with staff

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparation, portioning and plating of lunches and snacks according to menus and CACFP guidelines
• Maintain awareness of children's food allergies and dietary needs
• Wash, sanitize, and store dishes and kitchen equipment
• Keep kitchen and dining area clean and organized per health standards
• Monitor food stock and notify director when items need ordering
• Provide scheduled classroom coverage during staff breaks
• Transition between infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms as needed
• Supervise children to ensure safety and well-being
• Engage children in age-appropriate activities and routines
• Assist with daily routines including handwashing, toileting, meals, and naptime
• Follow classroom routines and directions from teaching staff
• Attend staff meetings and required training
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education

High school diploma or GED

CDA or coursework in Early Childhood Education

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY: Manchester Early Childhood Center (MECC) is seeking a dependable and flexible individual to serve as a Food Service & Classroom Support Aide. This position plays an important dual role in supporting the daily operations of the center by assisting with meal preparation and service while also providing classroom coverage so teaching staff can take scheduled breaks.

The typical schedule is approximately 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with some flexibility in daily hours. A minimum of coverage from approximately 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. is required. The position may be structured as one individual working throughout the week or may be shared by multiple individuals with alternating schedules.

The ideal candidate is dependable, organized, attentive to food safety and dietary needs, and comfortable working with infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduation from high school or GED
• Child Development (CDA) or coursework in Early Childhood Education preferred
• Experience in food service, school food service, childcare, or an early childhood setting preferred
• CPR/First Aid certification preferred
• Food Handler certification preferred; must be willing to obtain if required
• Ability to work cooperatively with classroom staff and adapt to changing classroom needs
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow applicable childcare licensing, health, and safety requirements

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsibilities of this position will include but are not necessarily limited to the following:

Food Service & Nutrition:

• Assist in the preparation, portioning, and plating of well-balanced lunches and snacks according to center menus and CACFP guidelines.
• Maintain strict awareness of children’s food allergies, restrictions, and special dietary needs during preparation and service.
• Wash, sanitize, and store dishes, utensils, pots, and food preparation equipment.
• Maintain a clean, organized kitchen and dining area according to local health department standards.
• Monitor food stock and kitchen supplies, notifying the director when items need ordering.

Classroom Support & Break Coverage:

• Provide scheduled classroom coverage for teaching staff during breaks
• Transition between infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms as needed based on daily staffing and ratio needs
• Maintain active supervision and ensure the safety, health, and well-being of children at all times
• Engage children in age-appropriate activities, play, reading, and classroom routines
• Use positive and developmentally appropriate guidance techniques consistent with the center's philosophy
• Assist children with daily routines, including handwashing, toileting, diapering, meals, transitions, and naptime, as appropriate for the classroom
• Follow classroom routines and directions provided by classroom teaching staff

Teamwork and Other Responsibilities:

• Work cooperatively with teachers, classroom staff, the Director, and other MECC employees
• Be familiar with and adhere to the State of Michigan Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers
• Maintain confidentiality of information related to children and families
• Be flexible, as daily responsibilities and classroom assignments may change based on staffing, enrollment, and ratio needs
• Attend staff meetings and required training
• Perform other duties as assigned by administration

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must be able to communicate with others and clearly understand normal conversations in person and on the telephone. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; and the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10-50 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard. The employee frequently is required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. Requires regular attendance and/or physical presence at the job.