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- Tasks: Prepare and cook nutritious meals for children, ensuring dietary needs are met.
- Company: Join Kindred, a supportive nursery group that values teamwork and personal growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy birthday off, cashback healthcare, childcare discounts, and more!
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through food and care.
- Qualifications: Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Flexible hours, career development opportunities, and a friendly team await you.
The predicted salary is between 26619 - 27772 ÂŁ per year.
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: ÂŁ12.70 - ÂŁ13.25 per hour (ÂŁ26,619.20 - ÂŁ27,772 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
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
- 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?
- 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.
Nursery Chef in South Benfleet employer: Kindred Education Ltd
Contact Detail:
Kindred Education Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Chef in South Benfleet
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery's vibe! Before your interview, check out their website and social media. This will help you understand their culture and values, so you can show how you fit right in.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to food safety and child nutrition. Think about examples from your past experiences that highlight your skills and passion for creating healthy meals for kids.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your personality! When you meet the team, let your friendly and positive approach shine through. Remember, they’re looking for someone who can connect with children and parents alike, so be yourself!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Chef in South Benfleet
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your cover letter, let us know why you're passionate about food and nutrition. Share any experiences that highlight your creativity in the kitchen, especially when it comes to preparing meals for children.
Highlight Relevant Experience: If you've worked as a Nursery Chef or in a similar role, make sure to mention it! Even if you haven't, any catering experience or knowledge of food safety guidelines like Safer Food Better Business will definitely catch our eye.
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented: We love candidates who pay attention to detail! In your application, emphasise your organisational skills and how you maintain a clean and safe kitchen environment. This shows us you take health and safety seriously.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kindred Education Ltd
✨Know Your Nutrition
Brush up on your knowledge of nutrition and dietary needs for children. Be ready to discuss how you would cater to various dietary restrictions and allergies, as this is crucial in a nursery setting.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to share examples of how you've created engaging and nutritious meals in the past. Think about how you can make mealtimes fun and comforting for children, and be ready to discuss your ideas.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Highlight your ability to maintain a clean and organised kitchen. Be prepared to talk about your experience with food safety regulations and how you ensure compliance in your cooking environment.
✨Build Rapport
Since you'll be working closely with children and their families, practice how you would build positive relationships. Think of ways to communicate effectively with parents and colleagues, showcasing your friendly and approachable nature.
