At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare nutritious meals for children while ensuring a clean and safe kitchen environment.
- Company: Join the Family First Group at Fordingbridge Day Nursery, a nurturing and supportive workplace.
- Benefits: Enjoy 75% off nursery fees, 24 days annual leave, and tailored development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values equality and safeguarding in a vibrant nursery setting.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's health and wellbeing through your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in cooking for children and knowledge of dietary requirements are essential.
The predicted salary is between 28652 - 28652 € per year.
We are currently recruiting for a Nursery Chef to join our Fordingbridge Day Nursery.
Salary: £28,652 per annum
Hours: Monday to Friday - 38 hours per week
At Fordingbridge Day Nursery, we believe in creating a nurturing, emotionally secure environment where children feel valued, supported, and free to grow at their own pace. Our nursery is a grade 2 listed building which features four beautifully designed rooms tailored to children aged 3 months to 5 years, each with direct access to spacious outdoor areas that encourage exploration and play in nature.
Why Join Us?
- Referral programme: Refer a friend and earn up to £750
- Employee Childcare Discounts: 75% off nursery fees for our team members
- Annual Leave: Starting at 24 days, plus a paid day off for your birthday and bank holidays
- Health and Wellbeing Programme: Confidential employee assistance helpline available
- Development: Tailored learning and development opportunities to support your career growth
- Excellent Transport Links
Your wellbeing and your future matter to us.
As Nursery Chef, you will:
- Keep the kitchen a clean and safe environment, adhering to internal and external requirements; complete the Kitchen Hygiene Checklist each month, and ensure that the Cleaning Schedule is complete and adhered to, being regularly updated and displayed prominently in the kitchen.
- Ensure the highest levels of cleanliness and hygiene in the nursery and kitchen.
- Prepare and cook enough age-appropriate food for all the children on a daily basis, with minimum wastage.
- Take responsibility to make sure all dietary requirements are catered for and clearly communicated to the teams.
- Ensure that dietary requirements and personal care routines are adhered to always, including the robust measures around the Red, Amber and Green plate procedures.
- Work in co-operation and partnership with the Nursery team and parents to encourage a healthy and nutritious diet.
- Ensure that budgetary requirements are met through careful planning of all food orders.
*Duties and responsibilities in this job description are not exhaustive or restrictive; changes and other duties relevant to this post may be added.
As Nursery Chef, you will need:
- Able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of managing different dietary requirements around food allergies - essential
- Sound Knowledge of COSHH - essential
- Able to work to a catering budget, in a manner that avoids fluctuating standards of food service - essential
- Experience and qualified to the appropriate level in any role which involves cooking in domestic or commercial property - essential
- Fluent in written and spoken English at GCSE grade C (or equivalent) - essential
- Experienced and passionate about any role that involves cooking for young children - desirable
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.
Fordingbridge Day Nursery 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.
Nursery Chef - The Fordingbridge Day Nursery and Pre-School employer: Family First Nursery Group
At Fordingbridge Day Nursery, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and nurturing work environment where our team members are valued and encouraged to grow. With a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous annual leave, significant childcare discounts, and tailored development opportunities, we ensure that our employees feel appreciated and empowered in their roles. Located in a beautifully designed, grade 2 listed building with excellent transport links, working here means being part of a dedicated team committed to providing the best for our children and their families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Chef - The Fordingbridge Day Nursery and Pre-School
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery! Visit The Fordingbridge Day Nursery and chat with the staff. This shows your genuine interest and helps you understand their values and environment better.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can give you insider tips about the nursery and might even put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by thinking about how you can contribute to a nurturing environment. Be ready to share your ideas on healthy meals for kids and how you handle dietary requirements.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Family First team.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Chef - The Fordingbridge Day Nursery and Pre-School
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:When you're writing your application, let us know why you love cooking for children! Share any experiences you've had that highlight your passion and creativity in the kitchen. We want to see your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Dietary Knowledge:Make sure to mention your understanding of dietary requirements and food allergies. This is super important for us, so give examples of how you've catered to different needs in the past. It’ll show us you’re the right fit for our nursery!
Keep It Clean and Professional:Since cleanliness is key in our kitchen, ensure your application is tidy and well-organised. Use clear language and check for any spelling or grammar mistakes. A polished application reflects your attention to detail!
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. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Family First Nursery Group
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the dietary requirements and allergies that children may have. Be ready to discuss how you would cater to these needs while ensuring a nutritious menu. This shows your understanding of the role and commitment to child welfare.
✨Showcase Your Hygiene Knowledge
Brush up on COSHH regulations and kitchen hygiene practices. During the interview, be prepared to explain how you maintain cleanliness and safety in the kitchen. This will demonstrate your professionalism and attention to detail.
✨Budgeting Brilliance
Understand the importance of working within a catering budget. Think of examples from your past experience where you successfully managed food costs without compromising quality. This will highlight your ability to balance financial responsibility with culinary excellence.
✨Team Player Attitude
Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively with nursery staff and parents. Share experiences where you’ve partnered with others to create a positive environment for children. This will show that you value teamwork and communication, which are key in a nursery setting.