At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and cook nutritious meals for young children in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Join the Kindred Family, known for its supportive culture and teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, birthday off, sick days, and childcare discounts.
- Other info: Flexible hours, career development opportunities, and a friendly team await you.
- 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.
The predicted salary is between 27688 - 28715 ÂŁ per year.
Location: St Ives, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, PE27 5JL
Contract Type: Full-time
Contract Length: Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, all year round
Salary: ÂŁ13.21 - ÂŁ13.70 per hour (ÂŁ27,688.16 - ÂŁ28,715.20 per annum, full-time equivalent)
Benefits include:
- 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?
Due to a new opportunity, we’re excited to welcome a Nursery Chef to our friendly and dedicated team in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, 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.
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 organised 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.
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.
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.
Chef - DBS Required in St Ives employer: Kindred Nurseries
Contact Detail:
Kindred Nurseries Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef - DBS Required in St Ives
✨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 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 safety and working with children. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion! During the interview, share your love for cooking and how you create enjoyable mealtime experiences. Let them see your enthusiasm for nurturing children's wellbeing through food.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows you're genuinely interested in the role and helps keep you on their radar. Don't forget to apply through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Chef - DBS Required in St Ives
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food and nutrition shine through! Share any experiences or stories that highlight your passion for creating delicious and nutritious meals for children.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to match the job description. Highlight your relevant skills, like your Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and any experience in early years settings, to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences at a glance. We appreciate a well-organised application!
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 shows you’re keen on joining the Kindred family right from the start!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kindred Nurseries
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your food hygiene knowledge and the specific dietary needs of children. Familiarise yourself with the Safer Food Better Business guidelines, as this will show that you're serious about food safety and nutrition.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your love for cooking and working with children shine through. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your creativity in the kitchen and your ability to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for kids.
✨Be Organised
Demonstrate your organisational skills by discussing how you manage kitchen supplies and maintain cleanliness. You could even mention any systems you've used in the past to keep everything running smoothly, which is crucial in a nursery setting.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Ask questions about the nursery's approach to mealtimes and how they support children's development. This shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in being part of their community.