Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and cook healthy meals for children, ensuring dietary needs are met.
- Company: Play Out Ipswich is dedicated to nurturing young minds and promoting healthy eating.
- Benefits: Enjoy a company pension, staff events, discounts, and a supportive wellbeing team.
- Why this job: Join a fun, inclusive environment where your cooking skills make a real difference in children's lives.
- Qualifications: Level 2 food handling qualification and current food hygiene certificate required.
- Other info: Opportunity to work closely with kids and parents, fostering a love for nutritious food.
Job Description
Ormiston Families Enterprises – Play Out Nursery, 333, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich IP3 9BU
This post is part time and temporary (maternity cover)
The salary for this post is £12 per hour
Ormiston Families is one of the leading charities working with children, young people, and families in the East of England. We take early and preventative action to support families to be safe, healthy, and resilient.
Job Purpose:
Play Out Ipswich are looking for cook with a passion for food and working with young children who would like to join us to cover a Maternity Leave. You will be responsibility for planning, preparing and cooking healthy balanced meals for the children in our care who range from babies to pre-schoolers.
You will experience of working in a kitchen and an understanding of food hygiene and health and safety requirements, including cleanliness of the kitchen, checking temperatures, dates and allergens on food products and ensuring all food is safely stored. Alongside the nursery management you will be planning menus, ordering food, checking deliveries and carrying our risk assessments.
Whilst the cooking of good food is an essential requirement, we are also looking for someone who is open and approachable with the children and the staff.
Main Tasks of a Nursery Cook:
- To be responsible for the planning and provision of a healthy, nutritionally balanced menu of hot and cold meals for the nursery children. This must reflect the diversity of the children and take account of any individual dietary requirements and food allergies.
- Take responsibility to make sure all dietary requirements are catered for and clearly communicated to teams.
- Work in co-operation and partnership with the nursery team and parents to encourage a healthy and nutritious diet.
- Where appropriate to support nursery staff in involving the children in food preparation activities.
- To implement and maintain effective programmes of parent partnership as part of the nurseries’ inclusive ethos.
- To ensure the effective use of equipment and resources and routine cleaning of equipment to maintain the hygiene and safety within the nursery.
- To respond appropriately to issues regarding confidentiality; for example, being aware of personal information regarding children.
Skills and Experience of a Nursery Cook
- Relevant level 2 qualification in food handling/preparation or equivalent experience
- Current food hygiene certificate.
- Experience of cooking healthy, nutritionally balanced hot meals.
- Ability to plan healthy, nutritionally balanced menus.
- Ability to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene standards of food preparation areas and equipment
- Excellent organisational skills and ability to keep accurate records.
What We Offer:
- Company pension scheme
- Regular staff events
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee Discount Scheme
- We have trained Mental Health First Aiders who form our Wellbeing Team, promoting mental and physical health. Ormiston Families has also signed the pledge to support our employees going through the menopause in the workplace
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
For further information and to apply please visit our Work With Us page via our Ormiston Families' website
Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 10th March 2025
Safeguarding and DBS requirements for your role:
Ormiston Families is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.
We are an equal opportunities employer; we value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Nursery Cook employer: Ormiston Families
Contact Detail:
Ormiston Families Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Cook
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the specific dietary needs of young children. Understanding common allergies and nutritional requirements will not only help you in menu planning but also show your commitment to the role during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any experience you have working in a kitchen environment, especially in childcare settings. Being able to discuss your previous roles and how they relate to the responsibilities of a Nursery Cook will make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your passion for food and cooking by sharing personal anecdotes or experiences that showcase your creativity in meal preparation. This can help convey your enthusiasm for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would engage with children during food preparation activities. Showing that you can create a fun and educational environment around food will align well with the nursery's ethos.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Cook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Nursery Cook. Highlight your passion for food and experience working with young children in your application.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasize your relevant qualifications, such as your level 2 qualification in food handling and any current food hygiene certificates. Include specific examples of your experience in cooking healthy meals and maintaining kitchen hygiene.
Showcase Your Skills: Demonstrate your organizational skills and ability to plan balanced menus. Mention any experience you have in collaborating with teams and parents to promote healthy eating habits among children.
Personal Touch: Since the role involves working closely with children and staff, convey your approachable nature and willingness to engage with both children and colleagues in your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ormiston Families
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for cooking and working with children. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your love for food and how it can positively impact young children's lives.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Dietary Needs
Be prepared to discuss how you would cater to various dietary requirements and allergies. Highlight your understanding of nutrition and how you can create balanced meals that reflect the diversity of the children.
✨Highlight Your Kitchen Experience
Talk about your previous experience in a kitchen setting, focusing on your knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards. Mention specific practices you follow to maintain cleanliness and ensure safe food storage.
✨Emphasize Teamwork and Communication Skills
Since collaboration with nursery staff and parents is crucial, share examples of how you've successfully worked in a team. Discuss your approach to communicating effectively with both staff and parents to promote healthy eating habits.
