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- Tasks: Create delicious meals for children while ensuring their dietary needs are met.
- Company: Join the UK's number one nursery group, Kindred Nurseries.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, birthday off, fully paid sick days, and childcare discounts.
- Why this job: Feed your passion for nutritious food and make a difference in children's lives.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate preferred but not essential; catering experience is a plus.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive, family-like environment with opportunities for growth and recognition.
The predicted salary is between 26400 - 27660 ÂŁ per year.
Job Title: Nursery Chef
Location: Waltham Abbey, Essex, United Kingdom, EN9 3FA
Contract Type: Full-time
Contract Length: Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, all year round
Salary: £12.70 – £13.25 per hour (£26,619.20 – £27,772 per annum, full-time equivalent)
Benefits:
- Birthday Off
- 6 fully paid sick days
- Cashback Healthcare Plan
- Retail Discounts
- Recognition & Reward
- 50 % Childcare Discount
- 24/7 Virtual GP Access
- 24/7 Counselling Support
- Discounted gym Membership
- Personal Financial Advisor Access
- Pension Discovery
- Learning platform Access
Join the Kindred Family – A Place to Grow, Thrive, and Make a Difference
Are you passionate about food, nutrition, and creating warm, homely mealtime experiences for young children? Do you enjoy working in a role where your care, creativity, and attention to detail directly support children’s development and wellbeing?
At Kindred, we believe work should be more than just a job – it should be a place where you feel valued, supported, and inspired every day.
Due to a new opportunity, we’re excited to welcome a Nursery Chef to our friendly and dedicated team in Waltham Abbey, Essex, United Kingdom. Whether you’re an experienced nursery chef or looking to bring your catering skills into an early years environment, this role offers the chance to be part of a warm, inclusive setting where 91.71% of our team would recommend Kindred as a great place to work.
What You’ll Need
Essential
- Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
- A friendly, positive approach when working with children, parents, and colleagues
- A clear understanding of health & safety, food safety, and safeguarding responsibilities
Desirable
- Previous experience working as a Nursery Chef or within an early years or childcare setting
- Knowledge of Safer Food Better Business and COSHH guidelines
What You’ll Be Doing
Responsibilities
- Preparing and cooking nutritious meals in line with Kindred menus and Safer Food Better Business guidance
- Ensuring all children’s dietary needs and allergies are met, providing suitable alternative meals where required
- Maintaining a safe, clean, and organized kitchen environment at all times
- Completing daily cleaning checks and recording them on the appropriate checklists
- Serving meals in line with nursery routines
- Managing laundry duties
- Monitoring kitchen and cleaning supplies and ordering replacements when required
- Using appropriate signage to highlight wet floors or potential hazards
- Following Kindred’s Health & Safety Manual, policies, and procedures
- Creating homely, comforting mealtime experiences for children
- Building positive relationships with children, parents, carers, and staff
- Participating in staff meetings and nursery events
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is a shared responsibility to protect children, parents, and staff from harm. All staff are expected to act in accordance with Kindred’s safeguarding and health & safety policies at all times.
Why Join Kindred?
At Kindred, we’re more than a nursery group – we’re a family.
- Supportive Culture – Strong relationships, teamwork, and a genuine sense of belonging
- Career Development – Ongoing training, support, and opportunities to grow within the organisation
- Work-Life Balance – Structured working hours and flexible shift options
- Competitive Pay & Benefits – Regularly benchmarked salaries, bonuses, pensions, and paid leave
- Award-Winning Family – A company that values recognition, personal growth, and team success
Our Recruitment Process
- Interviews: Rolling interviews
- Expected Start Date: ASAP
Our process includes:
- A video interview followed by a face‑to‑face interview at the nursery
- Background checks including references, DBS, and qualification verification, in line with our Safer Recruitment Policy
Ready to Start Your Kindred Journey?
To apply for the Nursery Chef position, please click the “Apply” button, complete the application form, and include your CV along with a short cover letter explaining your interest in the role.
We aim to respond to all applicants within 2–5 working days.
Thank you for considering a career with Kindred.
As part of our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, the successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check.
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Nursery Chef employer: Kindred Education Ltd
Contact Detail:
Kindred Education Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery's vibe! Before your interview, check out Kindred Nurseries' social media and website. This will help you understand their values and culture, so you can show how you fit right in.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to food hygiene and dietary needs. We want you to feel confident when discussing your passion for nutritious meals and how you can contribute to the children's wellbeing.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your creativity! Bring along a few ideas for healthy meals or snacks that you could prepare for the kids. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and give the interviewers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Kindred family.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for nutritious and tasty food shine through! We want to see how your creativity can bring joy to our little ones' mealtimes.
Highlight Relevant Experience: If you've got previous catering experience, make sure to mention it! We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so any relevant skills or experiences will definitely catch our eye.
Keep It Clean and Professional: Just like in the kitchen, cleanliness matters in your application too! Make sure your CV and cover letter are tidy, well-structured, and free from typos. A polished application shows us you care.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kindred Education Ltd
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the dietary needs of children and how to prepare nutritious meals. Be ready to discuss your experience in catering and how you can creatively meet these needs while ensuring high standards of hygiene.
✨Show Your Passion
Let your enthusiasm for cooking and working with children shine through. Share examples of how you've created tasty, healthy meals in the past and how you can bring that creativity to the nursery kitchen.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Kindred Nurseries values a family feel, so be prepared to talk about how you work well in a team. Share experiences where you've collaborated with others to create a positive environment, especially in a catering or childcare setting.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions that show your interest in the nursery's mission and values. Inquire about their approach to children's nutrition or how they support staff development, which will demonstrate your commitment to being part of their inspiring team.
