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- Tasks: Prepare and cook nutritious meals for children while managing dietary requirements.
- Company: Join Bright Horizons, a leading nursery provider with a strong commitment to child welfare and community support.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, competitive pay, health support, discounts, and a paid volunteer day each year.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team that values honesty, excellence, and teamwork in a fun environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in cooking, passion for nutrition, and food safety certification required.
- Other info: Work across various nurseries in North London and enjoy the flexibility of bank work.
Salary: Starting from £14.74 per hour (dependent on qualification/s and experience)
Hours: Flexible working
Location: North London
We are looking for an Early Years Chef, to support our nurseries across North London including Muswell Hill, Finchley, Whetstone, Hendon, New Southgate, Hampstead, and the surrounding areas.
Working as a Bank Chef within one of our nurseries, you can blend the convenience of Bank / Locum / Agency work, with the security and benefits of being an employee – giving you the flexibility to work when you wish! Our busiest times of year are during the summer and school holidays so this would suit somebody who is available during these periods.
What we can offer you:
- Above industry standard salary, with annual salary reviews
- Smart Health access, including 24/7 access to Virtual GP appointments, fitness programmes and mental health support
- A wide variety of discounts across high street brands, travel, utilities and days out
- Development programme access for every stage of your career, tailored to your individual journey, with opportunities across our network of nurseries
- Employee Appreciation throughout the year including our annual Awards of Excellence gala
Why Bright Horizons?
We are driven by our HEART values (Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork). If your values align, you’d be a great fit to join one of our 300 nurseries across the UK. We’ve also been voted Great Place to Work every year since 2006 - as well achieving Great Place for Wellbeing and Great Place for Women.
Did you know, Bright Horizons Foundation for Children charity has been established since 2005 supporting the lives of thousands of children and families in crisis, across almost 100 locations? Each Bright Horizons colleague is entitled to a paid volunteer day every year!
What you’ll be doing:
- Prepare, cook, and present age-appropriate food for all the children with minimum wastage
- Take responsibility to ensure all dietary requirements are catered for and clearly communicated to the teams
- Keep the kitchen a clean and safe environment, adhering to internal and external requirements
- Have an active role in leading the cookery club sessions with the children
- Support with other nursery activities e.g., BBQs, Fetes, and staff meetings
- Ensure stock levels are suitably managed and recorded, in line with company procedure
- Work in partnership with the nursery team and parents, to encourage a healthy and nutritious diet
- Promote and ensure child welfare, protection, health and safety and safeguarding
- Work with colleagues to maintain a positive, happy and safe environment
What we’re looking for:
- Previous experience within a role which involves cooking in a domestic or commercial property
- Passion for nutrition, and inspiring others in healthy eating
- Food Safety CIEH L2 or above (or equivalent) – this must be passed on day 1 in post
- Sound knowledge of COSHH
- Ability to demonstrate a sound knowledge of managing different dietary requirements, particularly food allergies
- Great communication skills, with both colleagues, children, and parents
- Ability to work under pressure
Bright Horizons are committed to creating inclusive environments where everyone has a sense of belonging and has the opportunity to contribute and thrive in meaningful and impactful ways. 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.
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.
Bank Early Years Chef employer: Bright Horizons
Contact Detail:
Bright Horizons Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bank Early Years Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the HEART values of Bright Horizons. During any conversations or interviews, make sure to demonstrate how your personal values align with theirs, particularly in areas like teamwork and respect.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your passion for nutrition and healthy eating. Consider preparing a few ideas or examples of age-appropriate meals you could create for children, as this will show your enthusiasm and creativity in the kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your experience with dietary requirements and food allergies. Prepare specific examples of how you've managed these in previous roles, as this is crucial for ensuring child welfare and safety.
✨Tip Number 4
Since the role involves working closely with children and parents, practice your communication skills. Think of ways to engage both children and parents in discussions about healthy eating, which will showcase your ability to connect with them effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Bank Early Years Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Bank Early Years Chef position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience and skills that match what they are looking for.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous cooking experience, especially in a childcare or educational setting. Mention specific examples of how you've catered to dietary requirements and promoted healthy eating.
Showcase Your Passion: Express your passion for nutrition and working with children in your application. Share any personal experiences or initiatives you've taken to inspire healthy eating among kids, as this aligns with the company's values.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, make sure to proofread your application 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 Bright Horizons
✨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 Your Cooking Skills
Be prepared to discuss your previous cooking experience in detail. Highlight specific dishes you’ve prepared for children and how you catered to various dietary requirements, including allergies.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication
Since this role involves working closely with nursery teams and parents, showcase your communication skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in past roles to create a positive environment.
✨Understand Their Values
Familiarise yourself with Bright Horizons' HEART values (Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork). Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission.
