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- Tasks: Prepare and cook healthy meals for children in a fun nursery environment.
- Company: Join Ormiston Families, a leading charity supporting children and families in the East of England.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, employee discounts, and regular staff events.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's health while working in a supportive and inclusive team.
- Qualifications: Level 2 food handling qualification and experience in cooking nutritious meals required.
- Other info: Part-time, temporary role with potential term-time only options; DBS checks required.
This post is part time and temporary (maternity cover) – we would consider term time only. The salary for this post is £12 per hour.
Ormiston Families is one of the leading charities working with children, young people, and families in the East of England. We take early and preventative action to support families to be safe, healthy, and resilient.
Job Purpose
Play Out Ipswich are looking for a cook with a passion for food and working with young children who would like to join us to cover a Maternity Leave. You will be responsible for planning, preparing and cooking healthy balanced meals for the children in our care who range from babies to pre-schoolers.
You will have experience of working in a kitchen and an understanding of food hygiene and health and safety requirements, including cleanliness of the kitchen, checking temperatures, dates and allergens on food products and ensuring all food is safely stored. Alongside the nursery management, you will be planning menus, ordering food, checking deliveries and carrying out risk assessments.
Whilst the cooking of good food is an essential requirement, we are also looking for someone who is open and approachable with the children and the staff.
Main Tasks Of a Nursery Cook
- To be responsible for the planning and provision of a healthy, nutritionally balanced menu of hot and cold meals for the nursery children. This must reflect the diversity of the children and take account of any individual dietary requirements and food allergies.
- Take responsibility to make sure all dietary requirements are catered for and clearly communicated to teams.
- Work in co-operation and partnership with the nursery team and parents to encourage a healthy and nutritious diet.
- Where appropriate, support nursery staff in involving the children in food preparation activities.
- To implement and maintain effective programmes of parent partnership as part of the nursery’s inclusive ethos.
- To ensure the effective use of equipment and resources and routine cleaning of equipment to maintain hygiene and safety within the nursery.
- To respond appropriately to issues regarding confidentiality; for example, being aware of personal information regarding children.
Skills And Experience Of a Nursery Cook
- Relevant level 2 qualification in food handling/preparation or equivalent experience.
- Current food hygiene certificate.
- Experience of cooking healthy, nutritionally balanced hot meals.
- Ability to plan healthy, nutritionally balanced menus.
- Ability to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene standards of food preparation areas and equipment.
- Excellent organisational skills and ability to keep accurate records.
What We Offer
- Company pension scheme.
- Regular staff events.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Employee Discount Scheme.
- We have trained Mental Health First Aiders who form our Wellbeing Team, promoting mental and physical health.
- Ormiston Families has also signed the pledge to support our employees going through the menopause in the workplace.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
To apply, please click on the apply online button. Closing date for applications: 9am, Tuesday 1st April 2025.
Safeguarding And DBS Requirements For Your Role
Ormiston Families is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.
We are an equal opportunities employer; we value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Nursery Cook – Play Out employer: Ormiston Families
Contact Detail:
Ormiston Families Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Cook – Play Out
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary needs of young children. Understanding common allergies and dietary restrictions will not only help you in menu planning but also show your commitment to the role during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in a kitchen environment, especially if you've worked with children before. Be ready to share examples of how you've maintained hygiene standards and created healthy meals tailored for kids.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your passion for food and cooking by discussing any creative meal ideas you have that cater to children's tastes while being nutritious. This can set you apart as someone who is genuinely enthusiastic about the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would engage with children during food preparation activities. Showing that you can create a fun and educational atmosphere around food can be a big plus for this position.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Cook – Play Out
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Nursery Cook position. Make sure you highlight your relevant experience in cooking for children and knowledge of food hygiene.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your experience in food preparation and any qualifications related to food handling. Emphasise your organisational skills and ability to plan balanced menus, as these are key aspects of the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for cooking and working with children. Mention specific examples of how you've catered to dietary requirements and collaborated with teams in previous roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, double-check for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in a kitchen environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ormiston Families
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for cooking and working with children during the interview. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your love for preparing healthy meals, as this will resonate well with the nursery's ethos.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Food Hygiene
Be prepared to discuss your understanding of food hygiene and safety standards. Highlight your relevant qualifications and any specific practices you follow to ensure a clean and safe kitchen environment, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Discuss Menu Planning Experience
Talk about your experience in planning nutritionally balanced menus, especially for children. Mention how you cater to dietary requirements and allergies, as this shows your ability to meet the needs of all children in your care.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills
Since the role involves working closely with nursery staff and parents, highlight your teamwork and communication skills. Provide examples of how you've collaborated with others in previous roles to create a positive environment for children.
