At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare nutritious meals for children and manage kitchen operations.
- Company: Join a family-focused nursery dedicated to nurturing young minds.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, childcare discounts, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent career progression and support for your well-being.
- Why this job: Make a difference in children's lives through healthy cooking and creativity.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering and a passion for cooking are essential.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 28225 £ per year.
Location: Erith, Kent.
Salary: £27,135.22 per annum (pro rata)
Contract/Hours: Part Time – This is a job share role working 19.5 hours per week between 8.30am-3.30pm.
Time off to recharge – 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays).
24/7 Confidential Helpline – speak to trained counsellors any time, 365 days a year, for emotional, wellbeing or mental health support.
Enhanced Well-being – 8 sessions In-Person, Phone, or Online Counselling or CBT.
Childcare Discount – 60% off childcare within our nurseries and out of school clubs.
Up to 3 Days Dependency Leave – to care for dependents in an emergency.
Paid maternity, adoption, and paternity leave.
Gain professional qualifications – excellent training/development opportunities.
Secure your future – Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover.
We're thrilled that you're considering a career with Spring.
Imagine a place where laughter echoes, imaginations run wild, and every day is a new adventure. That's Spring Nursery! We're not just a nursery; we are a family dedicated to creating a joyful and nurturing environment where children thrive.
As part of Action for Children, we're on a mission to provide outstanding early education that's accessible to all.
At Spring, we support your career growth! Our Spring Career Progression Map highlights options for progression into specialist roles.
We're looking for a Nursery Cook to join the team at Spring Harlequin. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with experience in a larger or commercial kitchen who is ready to prepare nutritious, tasty meals for young children every day.
As our cook, you'll take full ownership of the kitchen, working from our set menus to plan, prepare and serve balanced child‐friendly meals. You'll manage stock levels, place food orders, and always maintain excellent hygiene and safety standards. You'll keep the kitchen spotless, well organised, and running smoothly.
Northumberland Heath is a family‐focused nursery and a full‐day care setting for children aged 6 weeks to five years. Our passionate practitioners put children's learning and development at the heart of everything they do. Children are encouraged to explore, create, and lead their own play using natural resources, with access to free flow play throughout the day.
What you'll be doing:
- Plan healthy meals that are nutritious, varied and tasty, meeting children's dietary and cultural requirements.
- Ensure compliance with all food hygiene and Health & Safety requirements.
- Keep stock ordered and replenished, store food correctly, rotate stock, and maintain clean equipment.
- Keep waste to a minimum and keep costs low.
- Manage the food budget and handle expenditure and invoicing.
- Follow the latest legislation on food and food hygiene and complete all required training.
What we need from you:
- Basic food hygiene certificate – Level 3 preferred but can be obtained in the role.
- Passion for cooking and willingness to follow the Spring menu and contribute new ideas and recipes.
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Experience in a similar catering role.
- Commitment to safeguarding best practice and an understanding of safeguarding.
We encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates and particularly welcome male applicants for this sector. We are committed to safer recruitment practices to protect our service users.
If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly, we invite you to apply anyway. You might be the perfect person for this role, or another role within the Action for Children family.
Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
The application has five sections: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration. Refer to the JD and Person Specification when applying.
We also want to know what unique qualities you can bring to help us reach our vision for children and families.
If you need support with your application, contact our Recruitment Partner. We'll be happy to give you any support you require.
Nursery Cook in London employer: Spring Nurseries by Action for Children
At Spring Nurseries, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a nurturing work environment where creativity and passion for child development are celebrated. Located in Erith, Kent, our nursery provides not only competitive salaries and generous leave but also extensive professional development opportunities, including access to counselling services and childcare discounts. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values your contributions and supports your career growth while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families.
Contact Details:
Spring Nurseries by Action for Children Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Cook in London
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at Spring Nurseries by Action for Children and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Cook in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at Spring Nurseries by Action for Children that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at Spring Nurseries by Action for Children.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at Spring Nurseries by Action for Children get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Spring Nurseries by Action for Children
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at Spring Nurseries by Action for Children and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
