At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and cook nutritious meals for children in a nurturing nursery environment.
- Company: Join Cherrywood Nursery, a modern and caring establishment in Pirbright.
- Benefits: Enjoy 24 days annual leave, childcare discounts, and tailored development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent career growth and safeguarding commitment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through healthy cooking and teamwork.
- Qualifications: Experience in cooking for children and knowledge of dietary requirements essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
Cherrywood nursery is a modern open plan nursery set in the beautiful village of Pirbright. We’re proud of our nurturing environment, our outstanding apprentice programme, and our commitment to developing future early years professionals. Now, we’re looking for a passionate Nursery Chef to join our team and help fuel little minds with nutritious meals made with care.
We are seeking a dedicated Nursery Chef to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for preparing, cooking, and presenting age-appropriate meals to the highest standards, ensuring a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. You will work closely with the nursery team and parents to support the overall care and educational experience of the children. You will also maintain accurate records of supplies, ordering replacements as needed, while adhering to the nursery’s budget requirements. This position offers 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday.
At Family First, we value our team members and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Annual Leave: Starting at 24 days, plus a paid day off for your birthday and bank holidays
- Employee Childcare Discounts: 75% off nursery fees for our team member’s children
- Health and Wellbeing Programme: Confidential employee assistance helpline available
- Development: Tailored learning and development opportunities to support your career growth
- Referral programme: Refer a friend and earn up to £750
- Excellent Transport Links
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 at all times
- 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.
Cherrywood 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 in Guildford employer: Family First Nursery Group
At Cherrywood Nursery, we pride ourselves on fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment where our team members are valued and supported. As a Nursery Chef, you will enjoy a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and significant childcare discounts, all while working in a beautiful location with excellent transport links. Our commitment to employee development through tailored learning opportunities ensures that you can grow your career in early years education while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children.
Contact Details:
Family First Nursery Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Chef in Guildford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery! Visit Cherrywood if you can, chat with the staff, and soak up the vibe. This will help you understand their culture and show them you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you get a chance, bring along a sample of your cooking or share a recipe that highlights your ability to cater for dietary needs. It’s a tasty way to make a lasting impression!
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on social media or at local events. They might give you insider tips on what the nursery values most in a Nursery Chef.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and keen to join the Family First Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Chef in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share any experiences you've had preparing meals for children or working in a kitchen. We want to see that you’re not just a chef, but someone who genuinely cares about nourishing little minds.
Highlight Your Knowledge of Dietary Requirements:Make sure to mention your understanding of dietary needs and food allergies. This is super important for us at Cherrywood Nursery, so if you have experience managing different diets, be sure to include that in your application!
Keep It Clean and Professional:Just like we maintain a clean kitchen, your application should be tidy and well-organised. Use clear language and check for any spelling or grammar mistakes. A polished application shows us you take pride in your work!
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’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Family First Nursery Group
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the nutritional needs of young children and any dietary restrictions they may have. Be ready to discuss how you would cater to these needs while keeping meals exciting and nutritious.
✨Showcase Your Hygiene Knowledge
Since cleanliness is key in a nursery kitchen, brush up on your knowledge of COSHH and kitchen hygiene standards. Be prepared to explain how you maintain a safe and clean environment, and maybe even share examples from your past experience.
✨Budgeting Brilliance
Understand the importance of working within a budget. Think about how you can plan meals that are both cost-effective and appealing to children. Bring some ideas to the table on how you would manage food orders without compromising quality.
✨Team Player Attitude
Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively with nursery staff and parents. Share examples of how you've successfully communicated dietary requirements or worked as part of a team in previous roles, showing that you’re all about creating a supportive environment.
