At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and serve nutritious meals for children aged 3 months to 5 years.
- Company: Join a loving, family-owned nursery in Maidenhead dedicated to nurturing young minds.
- Benefits: Enjoy 4 weeks holiday, pension, on-site parking, staff training, and free lunch!
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's health while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in a nursery or care setting with a passion for healthy cooking is essential.
- Other info: Immediate start preferred; DBS check required.
A talented chef is required for this fabulous day care nursery in Maidenhead, a short walk from Maidenhead train station. The nursery is a small, family-owned setting with up to 40 children daily, committed to providing a loving and nurturing home-from-home experience for all of their children. Salary depending on qualifications and experience £24,750-£27,472 per annum. Benefits include 4 weeks plus 1 additional paid day off for each year of employment up to 1 additional week, pension, on-site parking, staff training and development, a wonderful team and environment to work in, and lunch!
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Cooking and service of delicious and nutritious meals made from scratch for 40 children (aged 3 months – 5 years) and staff team. You will be preparing a hot lunch, hot tea and breakfast for the following day.
- Catering to all their children’s dietary requirements and food allergies, babies' bottles and weaning menus.
- Maintenance of excellent hygiene standards including daily washing and cleaning of dishes & equipment.
- Developing monthly menu and management of budgets and ordering of food.
- Supporting staff on ways to engage the children in exploring foods which promote their health and well-being.
- Catering nursery events such as Sports Day and Christmas Parties.
The candidate should:
- Have a passion for supporting children’s healthy eating from scratch.
- Hold proven experience in a Nursery/School or care setting with experience cooking for children aged 3 months – 5 years.
- Proven experience in catering to and managing dietary requirements and food allergies.
- Be highly organised and able to work autonomously to manage all aspects of the kitchen.
- Be flexible to changing circumstances or needs in the Nursery.
- Show a commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children as well as high standards in confidentiality.
- Be able to work collaboratively alongside our team to live their mission and values.
- Have excellent communication skills with fluency in written and spoken English.
Any successful candidates will need to undertake an enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred List check, and have references taken. Immediate start would be helpful.
Nursery Chef employer: Acer Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Acer Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the nursery's ethos and values. Since this is a family-owned setting, showing that you understand and align with their commitment to providing a nurturing environment can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience with dietary requirements and food allergies during any informal discussions or networking opportunities. Being able to demonstrate your knowledge in this area will show that you are prepared to cater to the specific needs of the children.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with the local community or other professionals in the childcare sector. Networking can provide insights into the nursery's culture and may even lead to recommendations that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would engage children in exploring healthy foods. Think of creative ideas or activities that promote healthy eating, as this aligns with the nursery's mission and will demonstrate your passion for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in cooking for children, especially in a nursery or school setting. Emphasise any specific dietary management skills and your ability to create nutritious meals from scratch.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for children's healthy eating and your commitment to providing a nurturing environment. Mention your experience with dietary requirements and how you can contribute to the nursery's mission.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your organisational skills and ability to work autonomously. Provide examples of how you've managed kitchen operations and catered to children's needs in previous roles.
Prepare for the DBS Check: Be ready to provide information for an enhanced DBS check. This is crucial for working with children, so ensure you have references available that can vouch for your suitability for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Acer Recruitment
✨Show Your Passion for Healthy Eating
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for promoting healthy eating among children. Share any relevant experiences or ideas you have about creating nutritious meals from scratch that cater to young children's dietary needs.
✨Demonstrate Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in a nursery or school setting, particularly cooking for children aged 3 months to 5 years. Highlight specific examples of how you've managed dietary requirements and food allergies in the past.
✨Emphasise Organisation Skills
Since the role requires managing all aspects of the kitchen, showcase your organisational skills. Talk about how you plan menus, manage budgets, and ensure hygiene standards are met consistently.
✨Collaborative Spirit is Key
The nursery values teamwork, so be ready to discuss how you work collaboratively with others. Share examples of how you've engaged with staff and children in previous roles to create a positive environment.