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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 belonging.
- Benefits: Enjoy birthday off, paid sick days, childcare discounts, and more!
- 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: 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 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 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
- 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.
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 St Ives employer: Kindred Nurseries
Contact Detail:
Kindred Nurseries Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Chef 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 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. Building rapport with the staff and showing your enthusiasm for working with children can really set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation for the opportunity and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Chef 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 ideas you have about creating delightful mealtime experiences for children. We want to see your creativity and care in action!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure your CV and cover letter are tailored specifically for the Nursery Chef role. Highlight relevant skills like your Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and any experience with dietary needs. We appreciate when applicants take the time to connect their background to our values.
Be Clear and Organised: Since this role requires excellent organisational skills, ensure your application is clear and well-structured. Use bullet points where necessary and keep your language straightforward. This will show us that you can maintain a tidy kitchen environment too!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just click the 'Apply' button and follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kindred Nurseries
✨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 requirements and allergies during the interview. This shows that you understand the importance of providing healthy meals tailored to young ones.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to share some creative meal ideas or recipes that you think would be a hit with children. Think about how you can make mealtimes fun and engaging, as this role is all about creating warm, homely experiences for kids.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Be ready to talk about how you keep a clean and organised kitchen. You might want to mention any systems you use for managing supplies or ensuring health and safety standards are met. This will highlight your attention to detail, which is crucial in this role.
✨Build Rapport
Since you'll be working closely with children, parents, and staff, practice how you would build positive relationships. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully connected with others, as this will show your friendly and positive approach.