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- Tasks: Prepare healthy meals for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years in a vibrant nursery setting.
- Company: Join Childbase Partnership, a top-rated nursery with a community-driven ethos.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, childcare discounts, and wellbeing support from day one.
- 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.
- Other info: Be part of an employee-owned company that values your voice and growth.
The predicted salary is between 24316 - 29972 ÂŁ per year.
Join Childbase Partnership and be part of something extraordinary.
Role: Nursery Cook – Catering for up to 128 children aged 6 weeks‑5 years old.
Location: Sandfield Day Nursery, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7RH (on the John Radcliffe Hospital site).
Contract: Permanent, 37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.
Working pattern: Monday‑Friday, alternating shifts of 07:00 am‑15:30 pm and 09:00 am‑17:30 pm.
Salary: £24,316.50‑£29,971.50 per annum (pro‑rata) – £12.47‑£15.37 per hour.
We’ve been delivering childcare excellence since 1989. Within our 43‑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.
Benefits:- 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 No. 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: Working to build 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 and can prepare and cook a range of foods from a set‑menu, using fresh ingredients, providing suitable alternatives for children with allergies and dietary requirements.
- You are diligent: Your attention to detail, knowledge of COSHH, allergens, manual handling and environmental health legislation, alongside your Food Hygiene training, will ensure you, your co‑Cook, and your Kitchen Assistant maintain 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 and their understanding of healthy eating is promoted.
- You are collaborative: In partnership with the Nursery Manager and your co‑Cook you will contribute towards the profitability of the nursery by managing the kitchen budget, building respectful relationships with colleagues, children and parents and effectively lead and mentor the Kitchen Assistant.
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 Cook in Oxford employer: Childbase Partnership
Contact Detail:
Childbase Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Cook in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the childcare and catering sectors. Let them know you're on the hunt for a Nursery Cook role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your hands dirty! If you can, volunteer or do some shadowing at local nurseries. This not only gives you valuable experience but also shows potential employers your commitment to the role and helps you build relationships in the industry.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to nurseries you admire, like Childbase Partnership. Express your interest in working with them and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities. It shows initiative!
✨Tip Number 4
Keep your skills sharp! Consider taking a short course in food hygiene or allergy awareness. Not only does this boost your CV, but it also demonstrates your dedication to providing safe and healthy meals for children, which is crucial for a Nursery Cook.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Cook in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: Let us know how much you love preparing healthy meals! Share your experiences and any special dishes you enjoy making, especially those that cater to children’s dietary needs.
Highlight Your Experience: We want to see your professional catering experience shine through. Be sure to mention any relevant roles you've had, focusing on your skills in managing kitchen hygiene and food safety standards.
Emphasise Teamwork: Collaboration is key in our kitchens! Talk about how you've worked with others in the past, whether it’s leading a team or building relationships with colleagues and parents.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you one step closer to joining our amazing team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Childbase Partnership
✨Know Your Menu
Familiarise yourself with the types of meals you’ll be preparing. Research healthy meal options for children and be ready to discuss how you can cater to various dietary needs and allergies. This shows your passion for wholesome cooking and your understanding of children's nutritional requirements.
✨Showcase Your Hygiene Knowledge
Be prepared to talk about your experience with food hygiene standards and legislation like COSHH. Highlight any relevant training you've had, and share examples of how you've maintained high hygiene standards in previous roles. This will demonstrate your diligence and commitment to safety.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Since collaboration is key in this role, think of examples where you've successfully worked as part of a team. Discuss how you’ve built relationships with colleagues and contributed to a positive kitchen environment. This will show that you’re not just a great cook, but also a great team player.
✨Passion for Childcare
Express your enthusiasm for working with children and how you can promote healthy eating habits among them. Share any experiences you have in childcare settings or similar environments, and explain why you believe nutrition is important for their development. This will resonate well with the ethos of the company.
