Float Nursery Cook

Join a nursery group where quality, care and people genuinely matter.

We are a family-run group of Montessori nurseries, with over 30 years of experience, offering authentic Montessori education in beautiful, carefully prepared environments.

With 7 locations across London, we’re looking for an experienced Chef to join us in an exciting and varied role as our Float Nursery Cook / Kitchen Assistant.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, being busy and working in different environments. You’ll provide cover for our Nursery Cooks and Kitchen Assistants when they are away, working across our London settings. When cover isn’t needed, you’ll work as a Kitchen Assistant within one of our nurseries.

The hours are guaranteed, so you’ll always have a full working week, with the opportunity to experience different kitchens, teams and settings.

The role

£16.30 per hour

Monday–Friday

40 guaranteed hours per week

8-hour days, including break

Permanent, all year round

Cover across 7 London locations

You’ll prepare nutritious, high-quality food for young children when working as a Nursery Cook, and support our kitchen teams with food preparation, organisation, cleaning and maintaining excellent hygiene standards.

You’ll need to be confident adapting to different kitchens and teams, and happy to step into whatever is needed on the day.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for an experienced Chef who is:

Passionate about food and takes pride in their work

Warm, reliable and adaptable

Comfortable working across different kitchens and with different teams

Organised, energetic and enjoys staying busy

Confident working independently and as part of a team

Experienced in professional kitchen environments

Committed to excellent food hygiene, safety and cleanliness

Interested in working with young children and learning about early years food provision

Previous nursery experience is not essential. We will provide specific training for working in an early years environment, including nutrition, allergies, safeguarding, food safety and the particular requirements of preparing food for young children.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility at Newpark.

Although this is a kitchen-based role, you will be working within our nurseries and around young children. You’ll be expected to understand and follow our safeguarding and child protection procedures, maintain appropriate professional boundaries and contribute to a safe environment where children’s wellbeing always comes first.

All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS, references, right-to-work checks and our safer recruitment process.

Why Newpark?

40 guaranteed hours every week

Monday–Friday, no weekends

Authentic Montessori environments

A 30+ year family-run organisation

Work across 7 London locations

Experienced and supportive leadership

Full training for the early years environment

London Living Wage accredited

Healthcare Cash Plan and free virtual GP

Wellbeing support

Loyalty and attendance rewards

Staff childcare discount and family-friendly benefits

Pension, Cycle Scheme and Tech Scheme

Staff events and social activities

A friendly team where people are valued

If you’re an experienced Chef who enjoys variety, likes to stay busy and would love a role where every day can be different, we’d love to hear from you.

Newpark Childcare is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and is an equal opportunities employer.