Early Years Chef

Early Years Chef

Poole Full-Time 24000 - 36000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Bright Horizons

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Prepare and present nutritious meals for children while minimising waste.
  • Company: A nurturing nursery focused on healthy eating and child development.
  • Benefits: 50% childcare discount, enhanced parental leave, and 20 days annual leave.
  • Other info: Flexible shifts and professional development opportunities available.
  • Why this job: Inspire kids with healthy eating and lead fun cookery sessions.
  • Qualifications: Experience in cooking, passion for nutrition, and great communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 ÂŁ per year.

Nursery – Bright Horizons Poole Montessori Day Nursery

Salary – From £27,515 per annum (dependant on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Poole

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 Chef to join our Poole Montessori Nursery based in Poole.

Our Benefits

  • Childcare discount of 50% 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: 40 hours over 4 or 5 days, 24 hours over 3 days, or 16 hours over 2 days

*Subject to T&Cs

The Role

As an Early Years Chef you will prepare, cook, and present age-appropriate food for all the children in the nursery, with minimum wastage. You will ensure all dietary requirements are catered for and clearly communicated to teams, and work in partnership with the team and parents to encourage a healthy and nutritious diet. You will also have an active role in leading cookery club sessions with the children, and support with other nursery activities, such as BBQs, Fetes, and staff meetings.

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

INDSH

We look forward to receiving your application

If you experience any problems, please email and we will be happy to help.

Early Years Chef employer: Bright Horizons

As an Early Years Chef, you will thrive in a nurturing environment that prioritises the health and wellbeing of children. Our commitment to professional development ensures you have access to resources and support for your career growth, while our generous benefits, including a 50% childcare discount and enhanced parental leave, reflect our dedication to work-life balance. Join us in creating a vibrant community where your passion for nutrition can inspire young minds and foster healthy eating habits.
Bright Horizons

Contact Detail:

Bright Horizons Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Early Years Chef

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the nursery's ethos and values. When you walk in for your interview, show us that you understand what we stand for and how you can contribute to our mission of providing healthy, nutritious meals for the kids.

✨Tip Number 2

Bring some ideas to the table! We love creativity, so think about how you can make mealtimes fun and engaging for the children. Share your thoughts on age-appropriate recipes or activities you could lead during cookery club sessions.

✨Tip Number 3

Show off your communication skills! We want to see how you interact with both kids and parents. Be ready to discuss how you would handle dietary requirements and allergies while keeping everyone informed and involved.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in the lives of the children.

We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Chef

Food Preparation
Cooking Skills
Presentation Skills
Nutritional Knowledge
Dietary Requirement Management
Food Allergy Awareness
Food Safety (CIEH L2 or equivalent)
COSHH Knowledge
Communication Skills
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Team Collaboration
Child Engagement
Event Planning

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Nutrition: When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for healthy eating and nutrition. Share any experiences or ideas you have about inspiring children to enjoy nutritious meals – it’ll really make your application stand out!

Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to detail your previous cooking roles, whether in a domestic or commercial setting. We want to know how your experience aligns with the Early Years Chef position, so don’t hold back on sharing those tasty details!

Communicate Clearly: Since great communication is key in this role, ensure your application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language to describe how you would work with parents and colleagues to cater to dietary requirements and promote healthy eating.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the Early Years Chef role. Plus, it’s super easy – just a few clicks and you’re done!

How to prepare for a job interview at Bright Horizons

✨Know Your Ingredients

Familiarise yourself with age-appropriate foods and dietary requirements. Be ready to discuss how you would cater to different allergies and preferences, as this shows your understanding of the role and your passion for nutrition.

✨Show Off Your Cooking Skills

If possible, bring along a portfolio of your previous work or even a sample dish to demonstrate your cooking abilities. This can really impress the interviewers and give them a taste of what you can bring to the nursery.

✨Communicate Clearly

Practice how you would explain your cooking process and nutritional choices to both children and parents. Strong communication skills are key in this role, so be prepared to showcase how you can engage with different audiences.

✨Be Ready for Teamwork

Discuss your experience working in a team environment, especially in high-pressure situations. Share examples of how you've collaborated with others in the kitchen or during events, as this will highlight your ability to work well with colleagues and contribute to nursery activities.

Early Years Chef
Bright Horizons
Location: Poole
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