Two caregivers with nearly 35 years of experience and love for children

Happy to see children eat well and grow quickly

The Hanoi Department of Education and Training has just concluded the competition for excellent preschool staff for the 2024-2025 school year. The two staff members who won the first and second prizes made a special impression at the competition: Mr. Bui Duc Binh, Kindergarten B (Department of Education and Training) and Ms. Nghiem Thi Huong Giang, Tuoi Tho Kindergarten (Hoan Kiem) because they have been working in cooking and catering at the preschool for nearly 35 years.

Mr. Bui Duc Binh (3rd from left) - a caregiver at Kindergarten B with school leaders and staff at the competition for excellent caregivers at preschool level for the 2024 - 2025 school year

Sharing the reason for coming to this profession, Mr. Binh and Ms. Giang have the same answer, which is the love for cooking; and even greater is the love for children.

It is also the job of providing delicious meals, ensuring nutrition for everyone, but more than anyone, you understand deeply that the cooking job at kindergarten is unique, more difficult and arduous because it serves young children - those in the first years of life, who receive the highest level of care and attention from family and society.

Mr. Binh was always impressed by the first day he entered the profession, which was in the school kitchen, where all the utensils were much larger than at home. “My first challenge at school was to omelette hundreds of eggs to prepare meals for the children. At that time, conditions were not developed, so there were no non-stick pans, nor gas stoves or induction cookers like today, so I had to use regular pans and oil stoves. However, I persevered and completed the task. I still remember the eager eyes of the children when they received my omelette. The children loved it, ate all the portions and ate very quickly,” Mr. Binh recalled.

Both Mr. Binh and Ms. Giang are very happy that after all this time working as a nursery school nurse, they have cooked for many siblings or many generations in a family. One generation after another, the previous generation spreads the trust and satisfaction to the next generation to study at the school, partly because of the enthusiastic, thoughtful and delicious cooking nurse.

Also at the school, they are happy to witness the children's growth and maturity every day; to see their happy, eager faces before each meal or at the group parties before graduation. Even happier, they directly receive thanks from grandparents, parents and the children themselves. At that time, all the fatigue disappears; only faith and passion for the profession remain. That is also the reason why, despite having many better opportunities such as being invited to be head chefs at large restaurants and hotels, they refused and decided to continue with the profession.

Food safety is top priority

Having worked at the kindergarten for over 3 decades, Mr. Binh and Ms. Giang have witnessed many changes, including changes and improvements in the kitchen space and equipment. The kitchen space of the school where they work is now equipped with induction cookers and advanced, modern and safe equipment.

Ms. Nghiem Thi Huong Giang (left), Tuoi Tho Kindergarten (Hoan Kiem) and colleagues at the contest.

Ms. Giang said that every day she arrives at school at 7:00 a.m. After changing her uniform, she starts the job of receiving food. This step is very important and is carried out according to the process. The suppliers are reputable units, have legal status, the food has a clear origin and has signed a contract with the school in advance. The time of receiving food is always present, including: the Board of Directors, suppliers, accountants, parents of students... Cooking more than 200 meals a day, she and 2 school nutrition staff assign tasks by day, with consensus; then the sample storage step is also carried out according to regulations. Because of careful compliance with all steps and always promoting the work of ensuring food hygiene and safety, over the past 30 years, Ms. Giang and her colleagues have not encountered any incidents related to the children's boarding meals.

Similarly, according to Mr. Binh, food safety is the first important factor, which determines the quality of children's meals. Realizing this, the food his school chooses always prioritizes seasonal food and food with guaranteed origin.

In the current period of educational innovation, like many other professional departments in the school, Mr. Binh and Ms. Giang are constantly learning to contribute to building a rich, creative, scientific, balanced and reasonable menu; using a variety of seasonal and locally available food ingredients.

Along with that, we actively listen to feedback from children and parents to adjust the menu and have more suitable cooking methods to suit children's tastes and preferences; pay attention to cultural elements in each dish to convey messages to children about Vietnamese culinary culture.

The sense of responsibility, love for the profession and children has given Mr. Binh and Ms. Giang the motivation to overcome difficulties. The journey they have been on is truly admirable. Even more admirable, they are always proud of the profession they have chosen; at the same time, they wish to stick with the profession until retirement.

 

“Compared to other levels of education, preschool education is the most difficult. In preschool education, caregivers work harder than anyone else, having to leave early, come home late, quietly, and silently... I hope the Hanoi Department of Education and Training will continue to encourage, share, and care for preschool education; advise on specific policies and mechanisms to improve the lives of preschool staff and teachers, including caregivers...”, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thi Kim Chi.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/hai-nhan-vien-nuoi-duong-gan-35-nam-tuoi-nghe-va-tinh-yeu-con-tre.html