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- Tasks: Assist in preparing and cooking nutritious meals for children while maintaining a clean kitchen.
- Company: Join Poppetts Day Nursery, a supportive environment focused on honesty, excellence, and teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, childcare discounts, enhanced leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives in a fun, engaging setting with a strong community spirit.
- Qualifications: Experience in cooking, knowledge of dietary requirements, and great communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible shift options available; all roles require an Enhanced DBS check.
The predicted salary is between 21500 - 30000 £ per year.
Are you looking to work for an organisation whose culture is driven by our HEART principles – Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork? Where you can be yourself, feel supported, and help to make a difference to the next generation? Somewhere you can say: “I did that.”
We’re looking for an Early Years Kitchen Assistant to join our Poppetts Nursery. Conveniently located next to Long Ridings Primary School and just a 5-minute walk from Shenfield Station (Elizabeth Line), Poppetts offers a warm, engaging environment for young learners. We’re proud to be rated “Good” by Ofsted and offer enriching extras like Boogie Mites music and Forest School sessions. All rooms have free-flow access to gardens, and we provide on-site free parking for families.
Our Benefits
- £26,790.40 per annum
- Childcare discount of 40% for first child*
- Enhanced parental leave
- 20 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and paid Christmas closure. Ability to also purchase additional leave*
- Pension
- Financial and wellbeing benefits including 24/7 virtual GP appointments, early access to wages, and more
- Professional development programme access for every stage of your career, including access to a careers coach
- Shift options: Full time or Part time, Term time only*
The Role
As an Early Years Kitchen Assistant, you will support the Chef in the preparation and cooking of age-appropriate food for all the children in the nursery, with minimum wastage, and in keeping the kitchen a clean and safe environment. In the absence of the Chef, you will take responsibility for the running of the kitchen, and ensuring all dietary requirements are catered for and clearly communicated to teams.
What we’re looking for
- Previous experience within a cooking role, in a domestic or commercial property
- Passion for nutrition, and inspiring others in healthy eating
- Ability to demonstrate a sound knowledge of managing different dietary requirements, particularly food allergies
- Food Safety CIEH L2 or above (or equivalent) – this must be passed on day 1 in post
- Sound knowledge of COSHH
- Great communication skills, with colleagues, children, and parents
- Ability to work under pressure
We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants. Please note, due to our sector all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS.
If you want to make a difference, with a company who has been voted Great Place to Work every year since 2006, apply today! We look forward to receiving your application!
If you experience any problems, please email europe.recruitment@brighthorizons.com and we will be happy to help.
Early Years Kitchen Assistant employer: MP Training and Recruitment
Contact Detail:
MP Training and Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Kitchen Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the HEART principles of the organisation. Understanding how Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork play a role in their culture will help you align your values with theirs during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for nutrition and healthy eating. Be prepared to discuss how you can inspire children to make healthy food choices, as this is a key aspect of the role and will demonstrate your commitment to their well-being.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your knowledge of dietary requirements and food allergies. Being able to confidently discuss how you would manage these in a kitchen setting will set you apart from other candidates and show your readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your previous cooking experience in detail. Whether it's domestic or commercial, be ready to share specific examples of your responsibilities and how they relate to the role of an Early Years Kitchen Assistant.
We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Kitchen Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Early Years Kitchen Assistant position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience and skills.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous cooking roles or experience in a kitchen environment. Mention your passion for nutrition and how you can inspire healthy eating among children.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since the role involves working with children, parents, and colleagues, make sure to demonstrate your strong communication skills in your application. Provide examples of how you've effectively communicated in past roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, double-check your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at MP Training and Recruitment
✨Show Your Passion for Nutrition
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for healthy eating and nutrition during the interview. Share any personal experiences or initiatives you've taken to promote healthy eating, especially in a childcare setting.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of Dietary Requirements
Be prepared to discuss how you would manage different dietary needs, particularly food allergies. You might want to provide examples from past experiences where you successfully catered to specific dietary requirements.
✨Highlight Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be working with children, parents, and colleagues, it's crucial to showcase your communication skills. Think of examples where you effectively communicated important information or resolved conflicts in a team setting.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about how you would handle certain kitchen scenarios, such as managing food waste or ensuring cleanliness. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making skills in these situations.
