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, staff discounts, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hours, supportive team, and career progression available.
- Why this job: Make a difference in children's lives through healthy cooking in a fun environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering and a passion for cooking are essential.
The predicted salary is between 27135 - 27135 £ 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.
Treat yourself – Staff discounts portal and Blue Light Card with 15,000+ retailers.
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.
Salary Finance – access to financial advice and the ability to manage savings or loans directly from your salary.
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.
Why Spring Nurseries: 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.
A bit about the role: 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.
A bit about the nursery: 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.
Application Process: 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 employer: Spring Nurseries by Action for Children
At Spring Nurseries, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a nurturing work environment where your contributions truly matter. With generous benefits such as 25 days of annual leave, extensive professional development opportunities, and a strong focus on employee well-being, we ensure that our team members feel valued and supported. Located in Erith, Kent, our nursery fosters a family-oriented culture that encourages creativity and growth, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals to thrive in their careers while making a positive impact on children's lives.
Contact Details:
Spring Nurseries by Action for Children 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 moment to research Spring Nurseries. Familiarise yourself with their values and mission. This will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their family.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you have the chance, bring along a sample of your cooking or share some creative meal ideas during your interview. This not only highlights your passion for cooking but also gives them a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about your experience! Think of specific examples from your past roles where you've managed stock, maintained hygiene standards, or created child-friendly meals. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and how you fit into their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We encourage you to submit your application directly on the Spring Nurseries site. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows that you’re keen to join the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Cook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you start your application, take a good look at the job description. We want to see how your experience and skills match what we're looking for, so make sure you highlight those in your CV and supporting statement.
Show Your Passion for Cooking:In your application, let us know why you love cooking for children! Share any creative ideas or recipes you have that could fit into our menu. We’re all about nutritious and tasty meals, so show us your enthusiasm!
Be Organised and Clear:When filling out your application, keep it neat and organised. Make sure your CV is up-to-date and clearly outlines your relevant experience. A well-structured application helps us see your potential right away!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our nursery!
How to prepare for a job interview at Spring Nurseries by Action for Children
✨Know Your Menu
Familiarise yourself with the Spring menu and think about how you can contribute new ideas or recipes. Being able to discuss your passion for cooking and how you can enhance the meal offerings will show your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Showcase Your Organisation Skills
As a Nursery Cook, you'll need excellent organisational skills. Prepare examples of how you've managed stock levels, placed food orders, or maintained cleanliness in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to keep the kitchen running smoothly.
✨Understand Food Hygiene Standards
Brush up on food hygiene and health & safety regulations before the interview. Be ready to discuss your knowledge and any relevant certifications you have, as this is crucial for ensuring the safety of the children you'll be cooking for.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Safeguarding
Since safeguarding is a priority, be prepared to talk about your understanding of best practices in this area. Share any experiences where you've prioritised safety and well-being in your previous roles, showing that you align with Spring's values.
