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- Tasks: Prepare healthy meals for up to 148 children in a vibrant nursery setting.
- Company: Join Childbase Partnership, a leading inclusive employer with a community-driven ethos.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, childcare discounts, and wellbeing support including free meals.
- Other info: Be part of an employee-owned company that values your voice and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Professional catering experience and a passion for healthy cooking are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
This job is with Childbase Partnership, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
Role: Kitchen Assistant | Preparing meals for up to 148 children aged 6 weeks-5 years old.
Location: Brinds Well Day Nursery | Chelsfield, Orpington | BR6 7PH.
Contract: Permanent | 25 hours/week | 52 weeks/year.
Working pattern: Monday-Friday 13:00-18:00.
Salary: £12.87 per hour.
We’ve been delivering childcare excellence since 1989. Within our 44-day nurseries, Head Office, and Training Academy, EduBase, our ethos is simple: we all belong, we all matter, and we all contribute. We believe in ‘careers, not jobs’, supporting one another to grow and succeed.
Why join us?
- Generous annual leave: 23 days paid leave per annum (pro-rata), rising to 28 days with length of service, plus paid bank holidays.
- Work-life balance: Up to a further 20 paid days off each year through our Partnership Reward Days incentive; take your leave or sell the days you accrue, tax-free.
- Childcare discount: 75% discount (or 40% grandparent discount) on your fees at any Childbase nursery, from day one.
- Exclusive partner benefits: Long-service rewards, qualification bonuses and retail discounts.
- Wellbeing support: Free meals, mental health and occupational health support, flu jabs, eye care vouchers and a free will-writing service.
- Career development: Team inset days, access to online training and apprenticeships through our academy.
About us
- We are employee-owned: Every colleague is a partner with a voice, who helps drive our success; when we do well, we each receive an annual tax-free dividend.
- We are number 1: Ranked top of the Nursery World league tables for our Ofsted outcomes.
- We are community driven: Supporting causes close to our hearts, we’ve raised more than £3.5 million for charity.
- We are environmentally responsible: Building a greener tomorrow our nurseries all hold Green Flag awards and are powered by 100% renewable energy.
About you
- You are passionate about preparing wholesome, healthy meals: You have professional catering experience which will enable you to contribute towards the preparation of a range of meals from a set-menu, using fresh ingredients.
- You are diligent: Your knowledge of COSHH, allergens and manual handling alongside your experience working in a professional kitchen environment will ensure you effectively contribute towards maintaining 5-star hygiene standards within the kitchen.
- You are an advocate for safeguarding: You will ensure the well-being and dietary needs of every child are met.
- You are collaborative: In partnership with the Nursery Cook, you will promote healthy eating, build respectful relationships with colleagues, children and parents and resume full responsibility for all food preparation and cooking tasks in the absence of the cook.
We are an inclusive employer and we welcome applicants of all ages and backgrounds. We’re committed to FREDIE (fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion, and engagement) and will consider any reasonable adjustments required. If you meet the essential criteria for this role, your application will be automatically shortlisted for review by our Recruitment Team who will determine if an interview is the next step.
Applicants must currently reside within a commutable distance of the nursery and hold suitable Right to Work in the UK; VISA sponsorship is not available. Safer recruitment checks apply, which include an Enhanced DBS check.
Nursery Kitchen Assistant in Essex employer: Childbase Partnership
Contact Detail:
Childbase Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Kitchen Assistant in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery! Visit Brinds Well Day Nursery if you can, or check out their social media. Understanding their vibe and values will help you connect during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can give you insider tips on what it’s really like to work there and how to stand out.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to kitchen safety and meal prep. Show off your passion for healthy eating and child welfare – it’ll make you shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll be part of a community that values every voice, just like we do at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Kitchen Assistant in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for preparing healthy meals shine through! Mention any relevant experience you have in catering and how you can contribute to creating nutritious meals for the little ones.
Highlight Your Diligence: Make sure to talk about your knowledge of hygiene standards and safety regulations like COSHH. We want to know how you keep things clean and safe in a kitchen environment, so don’t hold back!
Emphasise Teamwork: Since you'll be working closely with the Nursery Cook and other staff, it’s important to showcase your collaborative spirit. Share examples of how you've built positive relationships in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Childbase Partnership
✨Know Your Ingredients
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of healthy meal preparation and the dietary needs of young children. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to creating nutritious meals using fresh ingredients, as this is a key part of the role.
✨Hygiene is Key
Familiarise yourself with COSHH regulations, allergens, and hygiene standards. During the interview, be prepared to share examples of how you've maintained high hygiene standards in previous kitchen roles, as this will show your diligence and commitment to safety.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Collaboration is essential in this role, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a kitchen environment. Highlight your ability to build respectful relationships with colleagues and how you can step up in the absence of the Nursery Cook.
✨Be Passionate About Childcare
Express your enthusiasm for working with children and how you can contribute to their well-being through food. Share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your advocacy for safeguarding and how you ensure every child's dietary needs are met.