Nursery Cook

Job Overview

Prepare nutritious meals and snacks for children in a nursery, helping create a welcoming mealtime experience. You’ll follow food safety practices and work with the nursery team to support children’s dietary needs.

We are looking for a caring, reliable and enthusiastic Nursery Cook to prepare and provide healthy, nutritious and balanced meals for children attending our nursery.

The successful candidate will have the relevant qualifications, knowledge and experience to prepare food safely in a childcare setting, meet the dietary needs of young children and maintain high standards of food hygiene and kitchen cleanliness.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook fresh, healthy and balanced meals and snacks suitable for babies and young children.
• Plan menus that meet children's nutritional needs and promote healthy eating.
• Cater for children with allergies, intolerances, special dietary requirements and cultural or religious food preferences.
• Follow all food safety, hygiene and safe food preparation procedures.
• Maintain a clean, organised and hygienic kitchen environment.
• Ensure food is stored, prepared, cooked and served at safe temperatures.
• Keep accurate records of food temperatures, cleaning schedules, allergen information and other required food safety checks.
• Monitor food supplies, check deliveries and report stock requirements to the Nursery Manager.
• Minimise food waste and ensure ingredients are used and stored appropriately.
• Follow the nursery's policies and procedures, including safeguarding, health and safety, and confidentiality.
• Work closely with the nursery team to ensure meals are served at appropriate times and meet the needs of the children.

Essential Qualifications and Requirements

The successful candidate must have:

• A relevant food hygiene qualification, ideally Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering, or an equivalent recognised qualification.
• Knowledge of food safety legislation, safe food handling, cross-contamination prevention and allergen management.
• An understanding of nutrition and dietary requirements for babies and young children.
• The ability to prepare nutritious meals that are appropriate for different ages and stages of development.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to work independently.
• A responsible, reliable and flexible approach to work.
• A commitment to safeguarding children and promoting their health, safety and wellbeing.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will be required

Desirable:

• A Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in Professional Cookery, Catering or an equivalent relevant qualification.
• Experience planning menus for children with allergies and special dietary requirements.

Working Hours

This is a part-time position for **4*/**3 hours per day*, with the exact working hours to be agreed with the successful candidate and the Nursery Manager.

The role requires the candidate to organise their time effectively to ensure meals are prepared, cooked and ready to serve according to the nursery's daily schedule.

Personal Qualities

We are looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about preparing healthy food for young children.
• Patient, caring and attentive to children's individual needs.
• Well organised, punctual and dependable.
• Committed to high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and food safety.
• Able to communicate effectively and work positively as part of a team.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

The nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be required to complete the nursery's safer recruitment checks, including appropriate references, identity and right-to-work checks, and an appropriate enhanced DBS check where applicable.

The applicant must be willing to follow all nursery safeguarding policies and procedures.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV!

Expected hours: 15.0 – 20.0 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension

Work Location: In person