At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and cook nutritious meals for children while ensuring safety and hygiene standards.
- Company: Join a nurturing team at Just Imagine Day Nursery, part of Family First Group.
- Benefits: Enjoy 24 days leave, childcare discounts, and health support.
- Other info: Great transport links and opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's health and wellbeing through your cooking.
- Qualifications: Experience in cooking and knowledge of dietary requirements are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25688 - 25688 € per year.
We have a rare and exciting opportunity for a Nursery Chef to join our welcoming team at Just Imagine Day Nursery – Wickford London Road, part of the Family First Group.
Location: 72-74 London Road, Wickford, Essex, SS12 0AN
Salary: £25,688 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Our latest Ofsted report praised the supportive leadership at the nursery, highlighting a manager who is “responsive and listens to staff” and “continuously strives to improve practice.” You’ll be joining a nurturing, reflective environment where your role is truly valued. The nursery is located on London Road, less than a 10-minute walk away from Wickford High Street. The Wickford train station is just 10 minutes walking distance away. Situated on a main residential road, the nursery has its own car park area with plenty of spaces for drop off/ pick up.
What We Offer
- 24 days annual leave plus bank holidays and a paid birthday off
- 75% childcare discount for team members
- £750 referral bonus for recommending a friend
- Health & wellbeing support, including a confidential Employee Assistance Programme
- Tailored training and development opportunities
- Excellent transport links and on-site parking
About the Role
As Nursery Chef, you’ll be responsible for preparing and cooking fresh, nutritious, age-appropriate meals for children each day. You’ll maintain high standards of hygiene and safety, ensure all dietary and allergy requirements are met, and manage food ordering within budget. You’ll work closely with the nursery team and parents to support children’s health, wellbeing, and overall nursery experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and cook meals daily with minimal waste
- Ensure all dietary requirements and allergies are catered for
- Maintain a clean, safe kitchen environment in line with regulations
- Follow Red, Amber and Green plate procedures
- Complete hygiene checks and cleaning schedules
- Manage food orders to meet budget requirements
What We’re Looking For
Essential:
- Experience cooking in a domestic or commercial setting
- Strong knowledge of food allergies and dietary requirements
- Understanding of COSHH
- Ability to work within a catering budget
- Fluent spoken and written English (GCSE grade C or equivalent)
Desirable:
- Experience and passion for cooking for young children
We are committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate will be required for all posts. This post will be subject to enhanced checks as part of our Safeguarding Duty.
Just Imagine Day Nursery - Wickford London Road is part of the Family First Group where we take great care to treat everyone as a person, with equal rights and responsibilities to any other individual, whether they are an adult or a child. We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children and families according to their individual needs. Discrimination on the grounds of gender, age, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, ethnic or national origin, or political belief has no place within the Family First Group.
Locations
Nursery Chef in Essex, Wickford employer: Family First Nursery Group
At Just Imagine Day Nursery in Wickford, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a nurturing and supportive work environment where your contributions as a Nursery Chef are truly valued. With competitive benefits such as 24 days of annual leave, a generous childcare discount, and tailored training opportunities, we are dedicated to fostering employee growth and wellbeing. Our convenient location near Wickford High Street and excellent transport links make it easy for you to join our passionate team committed to providing the best care for children.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Chef in Essex, Wickford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery! Before your interview, take a stroll past Just Imagine Day Nursery and soak in the vibe. Familiarise yourself with their values and approach to childcare so you can show them you're on the same page.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to cooking for children and dietary requirements. Think about your past experiences and how they align with what the nursery is looking for.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion! During the interview, let your love for cooking and working with kids shine through. Share stories that highlight your experience and commitment to providing nutritious meals for young ones.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to make it easy for you to join our team. Head over to our site, fill out your application, and let us know why you’d be a great fit for the Nursery Chef role!
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Chef in Essex, Wickford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:When you're writing your application, let us know why you love cooking, especially for kids! Share any experiences you've had that highlight your enthusiasm and creativity in the kitchen.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to mention any previous roles where you cooked in a domestic or commercial setting. We want to see how your skills align with what we need, so be specific about your responsibilities and achievements.
Be Clear About Dietary Knowledge:Since you'll be catering to children's dietary needs, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of food allergies and dietary requirements. Include any relevant training or certifications you've completed.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Family First Nursery Group
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary requirements and allergies that children may have. Be ready to discuss how you would cater to these needs while preparing nutritious meals. This shows your understanding of the role and your commitment to children's health.
✨Showcase Your Passion
During the interview, express your enthusiasm for cooking for young children. Share any relevant experiences or stories that highlight your passion for creating healthy meals that kids will love. This personal touch can make a big difference!
✨Demonstrate Hygiene Knowledge
Be prepared to talk about hygiene practices and safety standards in the kitchen. Discuss your experience with maintaining cleanliness and following regulations, as this is crucial in a nursery setting. Mention any specific procedures you follow to ensure a safe cooking environment.
✨Budget Savvy
Since managing food orders within budget is part of the role, come equipped with examples of how you've successfully worked within a catering budget before. This could include strategies for minimising waste or sourcing ingredients cost-effectively.
