At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare fresh, nutritious meals for children under five in a fun nursery environment.
- Company: Join the caring team at Little Giggles Nursery, where we prioritise children's wellbeing.
- Benefits: Full-time hours, Monday to Friday, with a supportive team and a warm atmosphere.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a vibrant setting with potential for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's health while enjoying a creative cooking role.
- Qualifications: 1 year of cooking experience and a basic food hygiene qualification required.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 28000 £ per year.
Accountable to: Nursery Manager / Deputy Manager
Position: Full time, Monday to Friday
Hours: 7.00am until 4.00pm
Contract: All year round position
About the Role
Little Giggles Nursery is looking for a caring, organised and experienced Nursery Cook to join our team. This important role involves preparing fresh, nutritious and well‑presented meals and snacks for babies and children under the age of five. You will be responsible for the day‑to‑day running of the nursery kitchen, ensuring that all meals meet the needs of our children, including allergies, intolerances, cultural requirements, vegetarian and vegan diets, and age‑appropriate stages such as weaning.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare fresh, nutritious and well‑presented meals in line with current nursery menus.
- Prepare healthy snacks and meals throughout the day for each room and age group as required.
- Take responsibility for the day‑to‑day running of the kitchen.
- Maintain excellent hygiene standards at all times.
- Follow infection control and cross‑contamination procedures.
- Be constantly aware of special dietary needs, including allergies, intolerances, cultural needs, vegetarian and vegan requirements.
- Follow all children’s dietary requirements and age‑appropriate food stages, including weaning.
- Carry out duties connected with health and safety at work, including risk assessments, COSHH and RIDDOR.
- Update and manage the Safer Food, Better Business file daily.
- Follow standard food hygiene procedures, including food temperature checks and daily monitoring records.
- Be familiar with procedures in the event of an accident or fire.
- Complete food orders within the allocated budget and appropriate delivery timescales.
- Complete weekly food orders in line with expected numbers of children.
- Rotate stock, monitor stock levels and order appropriately.
- Ensure all frozen meals and foods are checked weekly.
- Dispose of any food that is out of date or close to its use‑by date, recording the reason for waste.
- Defrost fridges and freezers regularly to maintain efficiency.
- Ensure all areas of the kitchen are safe, clean and maintained to an excellent standard.
- Ensure equipment and materials are safe, cleaned at the end of each day and recorded appropriately.
- Report any faulty equipment to the Nursery Manager immediately and remove it safely from use.
- Undertake any additional training in accordance with current guidelines.
- Follow all safety rules, including never leaving the kitchen while the cooker is in use and not allowing children into the kitchen.
Additional Tasks
- Prepare all food items in a sanitary and timely manner.
- Follow recipes and presentation specifications.
- Operate standard kitchen equipment safely and efficiently.
- Maintain a clean working station while following health and safety standards.
- Assist with the cleaning and organisation of the kitchen and equipment.
- Restock items as needed throughout the day.
- Record food temperatures.
- Prepare reports where required.
- Keep a supply of recipes available for staff to use with the children.
- Ensure suitable equipment is available for children to experience cooking activities with their carers.
Working as Part of the Team
You will work as an effective part of the nursery team, helping to maintain good morale and supporting the high reputation of Little Giggles Nursery both inside and outside the setting. You will be expected to follow Little Giggles Nursery standards at all times and contribute to the warm, caring and professional environment we provide for our children, families and staff.
Experience
At least 1 year of experience as a cook is required.
Required Qualifications
Basic Food Hygiene qualification. Qualification in catering.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Food Allergy Awareness qualification. Experience of working within a very busy setting. Experience of cooking for large numbers. Experience of preparing meals for a wide range of dietary requirements.
Safer Recruitment
Satisfactory references will be required before employment commences, in line with the Statutory Framework and Safer Recruitment policies. Applicants for posts within the nursery are clearly informed that the position is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This specification is not exhaustive, and additional tasks may be directed by the Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager.
Nursery Cook employer: Little Giggles Private Day Nursery & Preschool
Little Giggles Nursery is an exceptional employer that prioritises a nurturing and supportive work environment for its staff. With a focus on employee growth, we offer opportunities for professional development and training, ensuring our team members feel valued and empowered. Located in a vibrant community, our nursery fosters a collaborative culture where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of children while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
Contact Details:
Little Giggles Private Day Nursery & Preschool Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Cook
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery! Before your interview, take a look at Little Giggles Nursery's website and social media. Familiarise yourself with their values and the kind of meals they serve. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Think about common interview questions for cooks, like how you handle dietary restrictions or maintain hygiene standards. Practising your responses can help you feel more confident and articulate during the actual interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your creativity! Bring along a few ideas for nutritious meals or snacks that fit the nursery's needs. This not only demonstrates your culinary skills but also shows that you're proactive and ready to contribute from day one.
✨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. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Cook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:When you write your application, let us know why you love cooking for children! Share any experiences you've had preparing meals that cater to different dietary needs. This will show us that you're not just a cook, but someone who genuinely cares about the well-being of our little ones.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to mention your previous cooking experience, especially if you've worked in busy environments or with specific dietary requirements. We want to see how your background aligns with what we do at Little Giggles Nursery, so don’t hold back!
Keep It Clean and Professional:Just like in the kitchen, your application should be tidy and well-organised. Use clear language and structure your application neatly. This reflects your attention to detail, which is super important in our kitchen!
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts and submit your details!
How to prepare for a job interview at Little Giggles Private Day Nursery & Preschool
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the nutritional needs of children under five, including allergies and dietary restrictions. Be ready to discuss how you would prepare meals that cater to these needs, showcasing your understanding of healthy eating for young ones.
✨Show Off Your Kitchen Skills
Prepare to talk about your previous cooking experiences, especially in busy environments. Bring examples of how you've managed kitchen operations, maintained hygiene standards, and handled food safety procedures to demonstrate your expertise.
✨Be a Team Player
Little Giggles Nursery values teamwork, so be prepared to share examples of how you've collaborated with others in a kitchen setting. Highlight your ability to maintain morale and support colleagues while ensuring a positive environment for the children.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, ask questions that show your interest in the nursery's approach to nutrition and meal planning. Inquire about their menu development process or how they handle special dietary needs, which will demonstrate your commitment to the role.
