Cooking in Daycare

[Lostandconfused]

I am posting here to seek some reassurance that I am not over reacting or being unreasonable. I have been working in the daycare capacity for the last 3 & 1/2 years. I started as a kitchen hand and have taken on a role as the cook in another center. I started this role 3 months ago. I realized upon starting in the new center that I have brought upon certain expectations from the last center in the new role.
Things like making birthday cakes and sandwiches, things that we never had to do in the last center took a bit of getting used to. I also realize that the last chef that was there for 7 yrs also set a precedent of how the kitchen was run, and I was basically in her shadows and I was constantly reminded of 'thats how the last cook did things, so you should too'
When I did my interview, I clearly explained to the center director what I was about. I am a certified chef and take my role seriously. I do a 4 week rotational menu and I don't believe in hiding veges, I do my best to follow the guidelines set by HEAS and try to make diverse foods in accordance with dietary regulations whilst ensuring the food taste good.

The last chef would serve yoghurt with arrowroot biscuits or corn chips with baked beans for arvo tea. She would also supply the rooms with jam for fussy children to have jam sandwiches. The children were offered bread in the morning for breakfast, along with sandwiches for late snack and toasted sandwiches with soup.
I drew up a whole new menu, with food that had tried and tested with children. I made things like meatballs, and salads for lunch. Crumpets and English muffins as well as tinned fruit in juice for arvo tea.
Unfortunately, I have been getting a lot of criticism by the educators, to the point that there is one particular person from the most difficult room that only speaks to me when she has a problem (which is every single day) I spend 2 days making meatballs only to be told the children hated it (which kid hates meatballs!!) I'm being told that I have to butter their fruit bread for arvo tea because they have no time (they used to and in my previous center, the same number of educators in ratio with the number of children in the room used to butter their own bread)
I explain that I have no time, I even have to wash their dishes because they have no time to rinse it due to supervision issue (which I understand) <br/>

Lately, I have been feeling like I can't get anything right. I spoke to my center manager nearly in tears because I felt like I was being backed into the corner. All I hear is something bad, when the food is good, I have to ask them how it went and they go 'oh yea..nice, I liked it!!'
Today, the same particular person who has been reducing me to tears when I leave work, comes in with a bowl of plain pasta I serve the fussy kids to tell me the pasta is sticking together and the fussy children will not eat it. I admitted that I over cooked the pasta today and will be happy to cook more if they wanted, she said no she will make a sandwich, she the proceeded to tell me that it's been like that all week (I freeze cooked pasta and heat it up in the microwave for 1 or 2 really fussy children) she said that pasta comes sticking together too (I didn't think they did because they didn't stick together when I take it out the freezer) but I digress, according to her she cannot and will not serve it because the already fussy kids will become even fussier if the pasta is sticking together. She then proceeds to tell me 'you're good? We've had this conversation now yea? ' I said yep ok.
After she left I asked myself if I was being unreasonable to believe that she seems to have a problem with every thing? When it came time for her to bring her dishes back to me in the trolley, the first and only thing she said to me was how she moved the trolley and smashed some glasses because I stacked the glasses too high (the trolleys are full and I have to fill it with everything they have on there. I stacked 4 glasses together and according to her, it's a safety hazard and because of what I did, she ended up moving the trolley and breaking a glass) I mentioned that the trolley is full and she said 'just find a safer way to arrange it because it's a safety hazard) I am moving the trolley all day and have not smashed any glasses.
I am happy to take accountability where it's appropriate but I feel like things are getting out of hand. A month ago, she threw me under the bus after she fed a child a meal that they they were allergic too. I had asked her on which special diet kid was in and she did not mention this child. I had not provided a special meal and it became my fault because I was not told. It became a big issue and we had to have a meeting to go through the allergy matrix and I had to retrain on dietary reqs etc etc.
When I told my center manager that I had asked her, she dismissed me and said that the educator told her she had told me (which is not true at all) I took it on the chin and just passed it off as a communication fail. I try not take anything anyone says at work personally but I am starting to feel really overwhelmed. I know the food I cook is good, nutritious food. I know children can be fussy. And to an extend I understand that sometimes you need to make a plain pasta or rice or whatever for certain children, but the educators seem to jump on sandwiches at the first thing when a kid refuses to eat something. These kids eat so much sandwiches and I feel like perhaps the educators might be getting tired of making sandwiches so they feel like they can take it out on me because the kids are not eating the food I provide.
They even try to get me to make them sandwiches with lunch which I have refused. I explain that I have cooked the meal and I have a lot to do in the kitchen. That might also be a bone of contention with them I am starting to suspect.
I find myself wanting to resign because I feel deeply underappreciated and not respected for what I do. I can understand feedback but not when all I hear is bad stuff. Am I being unreasonable for feeling like how I feel?

[Lorina]

Unfortunately when you're new in a centre and the other Educators are not use to your ways it can cause extreme cattiness amongst staff. You said that the last cook was there for 7 years and suddenly you arrived with this great nutritional menu and new ideas and educators are probably a little intimidated becuase you are changing things for the better.

Corn chips with baked beans... arrowroot bisucits with yoghurt I don't find any nutritional value in that and in my opinion if that is the sort of snacks the last chef was serving will then the Director really didnt provide a healthy nutritional menu for the children. Anyway...

The Educator you are having issues with obviously is so used to the previous cook and how things were done that she is being a bitch to you. I wouldn't bother asking her if the children enjoyed their lunch because even if they did I doubt she pass it on to you. You should go to the rooms yourself and quickly ask the children. "Hands up who liked the salad today" or "did you all like the pasta" etc. Speak to the children directly. It will probably annoy the Educators more but you need to get feedback on the food you cooked and what better way then going directly to the children. Also, you can tell just by having a quick glance at their bowls or seeing if they seem to be enjoying their food. Don't bother asking the Educators...

In regards to the pasta stciking together, it's not a big deal and children are not going to fuss over such an issue - seriosuly are kids going to care pasta sticks together!

This Educator is getting under your skin, don't react, leave it - let her bitch and moan - just let it be. Smile, nod... continue to do your job... don't let it get under your skin...

It sounds like you are doing a great job with cooking nutritious and helathy foods!

,
Lorina

[Lostandconfused]

Thanks for the reply. I am glad to know I am not over reacting.

[Lorina]

No, you're definitely not overreacting! It's just really frustrating that Educators treat each other this way! I'm sorry that you're having these issues!

I hope that things get better for you!

,
Lorina

[PoppyHillary]

I am posting here to seek some reassurance that I am not over reacting or being unreasonable. I have been working in the daycare capacity for the last 3 & 1/2 years. I started as a kitchen hand and have taken on a role as the cook in another center. I started this role 3 months ago. I realized upon starting in the new center that I have brought upon certain expectations from the last center in the new role.
Things like making birthday cakes and sandwiches, things that we never had to do in the last center took a bit of getting used to. I also realize that the last chef that was there for 7 yrs also set a precedent of how the kitchen was run, and I was basically in her shadows and I was constantly reminded of 'thats how the last cook did things, so you should too'
When I did my interview, I clearly explained to the center director what I was about. I am a certified chef and take my role seriously. I do a 4 week rotational menu and I don't believe in hiding veges, I do my best to follow the guidelines set by HEAS and try to make diverse foods in accordance with dietary regulations whilst ensuring the food taste good.

The last chef would serve yoghurt with arrowroot biscuits or corn chips with baked beans for arvo tea. She would also supply the rooms with jam for fussy children to have jam sandwiches. The children were offered bread in the morning for breakfast, along with sandwiches for late snack and toasted sandwiches with soup.
I drew up a whole new menu, with food that had tried and tested with children. I made things like meatballs, and salads for lunch. Crumpets and English muffins as well as tinned fruit in juice for arvo tea.
Unfortunately, I have been getting a lot of criticism by the educators, to the point that there is one particular person from the most difficult room that only speaks to me when she has a problem (which is every single day) I spend 2 days making meatballs only to be told the children hated it (which kid hates meatballs!!) I'm being told that I have to butter their fruit bread for arvo tea because they have no time (they used to and in my previous center, the same number of educators in ratio with the number of children in the room used to butter their own bread)
I explain that I have no time, I even have to wash their dishes because they have no time to rinse it due to supervision issue (which I understand) <br/>

Lately, I have been feeling like I can't get anything right. I spoke to my center manager nearly in tears because I felt like I was being backed into the corner. All I hear is something bad, when the food is good, I have to ask them how it went and they go 'oh yea..nice, I liked it!!'
Today, the same particular person who has been reducing me to tears when I leave work, comes in with a bowl of plain pasta I serve the fussy kids to tell me the pasta is sticking together and the fussy children will not eat it. I admitted that I over cooked the pasta today and will be happy to cook more if they wanted, she said no she will make a sandwich, she the proceeded to tell me that it's been like that all week (I freeze cooked pasta and heat it up in the microwave for 1 or 2 really fussy children) she said that pasta comes sticking together too (I didn't think they did because they didn't stick together when I take it out the freezer) but I digress, according to her she cannot and will not serve it because the already fussy kids will become even fussier if the pasta is sticking together. She then proceeds to tell me 'you're good? We've had this conversation now yea? ' I said yep ok.
After she left I asked myself if I was being unreasonable to believe that she seems to have a problem with every thing? When it came time for her to bring her dishes back to me in the trolley, the first and only thing she said to me was how she moved the trolley and smashed some glasses because I stacked the glasses too high (the trolleys are full and I have to fill it with everything they have on there. I stacked 4 glasses together and according to her, it's a safety hazard and because of what I did, she ended up moving the trolley and breaking a glass) I mentioned that the trolley is full and she said 'just find a safer way to arrange it because it's a safety hazard) I am moving the trolley all day and have not smashed any glasses.
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When I told my center manager that I had asked her, she dismissed me and said that the educator told her she had told me (which is not true at all) I took it on the chin and just passed it off as a communication fail. I try not take anything anyone says at work personally but I am starting to feel really overwhelmed. I know the food I cook is good, nutritious food. I know children can be fussy. And to an extend I understand that sometimes you need to make a plain pasta or rice or whatever for certain children, but the educators seem to jump on sandwiches at the first thing when a kid refuses to eat something. These kids eat so much sandwiches and I feel like perhaps the educators might be getting tired of making sandwiches so they feel like they can take it out on me because the kids are not eating the food I provide.
They even try to get me to make them sandwiches with lunch which I have refused. I explain that I have cooked the meal and I have a lot to do in the kitchen. That might also be a bone of contention with them I am starting to suspect.
I find myself wanting to resign because I feel deeply underappreciated and not respected for what I do. I can understand feedback but not when all I hear is bad stuff. Am I being unreasonable for feeling like how I feel?

Personally, I think that you are doing everything right and such a reaction is absolutely adequate.