At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare nutritious meals and maintain high safety standards in a fun nursery kitchen.
- Company: Ickle Pickles Nursery, part of the Storal community, focused on high-quality early years care.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, 50% childcare discount, wellbeing days, and financial perks.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a friendly team where your culinary skills make a real difference to children's lives.
- Qualifications: Level 2 Food and Hygiene qualification and experience in a commercial kitchen.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 30000 £ per year.
Ickle Pickles Nursery School, 1 School Mews, Iwade, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8UW
Hours: Full Time, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday
Salary: £12.75 per hour
Benefits: Performance related bonus, 50% childcare discount, wellbeing day and much more.
Overview
At Ickle Pickles, we pride ourselves on providing a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child is supported to learn and grow at their own pace. Our experienced team brings a wealth of early years knowledge and insight, and we know that each child has their own unique journey.
We’re proud to have our own Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) who works closely with both families and practitioners to identify and support additional needs. This personalised approach is supported further by our parent forum committee, ensuring open communication, shared celebrations, and meaningful partnerships with families.
Our children spend dedicated time outdoors, engaging with nature through a variety of rich and inspiring activities. Mealtimes are a special part of the day—children enjoy healthy, nutritious meals together in our warm, central dining space. We also embrace cultural celebrations through themed menus, offering new flavours and learning opportunities.
As part of the Kingsferry Collaboration, we share best practices, solve challenges together, and support each other to continually deliver the highest standards of care and education.
What & Who is Storal?
It’s our collective group of nurseries that we are happily a part of here at Ickle Pickles. Storal stands for high quality outcomes for children and are passionate about Early Years. Bringing your whole self is a must if that’s pink hair, being Neurospicy or having a unique pastime, we encourage it all. Your unique self is what makes our Nursery even better. Check out our website to learn about our leaders and the expertise they bring to our Storal community.
About you
You are a dedicated, Level 2 Food and Hygiene qualified cook with a solid understanding of Health and Safety regulations and COSHH and you\’re looking for a new role in a fun, friendly team, where you can thrive and make the most of your culinary skills.
What you\’ll be doing
As a Nursery Cook, you’ll assist in preparing nutritious, freshly made meals while maintaining the highest standards of safety and hygiene in the nursery kitchen at all times. Your flexibility and reliability will ensure the smooth operation of the kitchen. Day to day you will find yourself:
- Catering for children with specific dietary needs
- Working to a very high level with the relevant Food and Hygiene, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health-Food Safety, Health and Safety, and Ofsted guidelines and regulations
- Ensuring that all children are kept safe and have rich stimulating eating experiences
- Maintaining stock levels and ensuring stock rotation
- Following COSHH and other relevant guidelines
What you\’ll need
- Level 2 Food and Hygiene
- Experience in a commercial kitchen as an assistant cook/chef or similar
- Knowledge of Health and Safety regulations and COSHH
Why work for us
Family Friendly Benefits – enhanced parents leave including maternity, paternity & adoption & Childcare Discount at 50% off all fees
Wellbeing & Refuel Benefits – extra day off per year for your wellbeing and access to modern-day, progressive mental health support & sick pay
Financial Perks – emergency cash access to your pay before pay date, free financial coaching
Social Perks – online community for peer-to-peer socializing e.g. book club, pets club, pinecones club & continuous professional development accessible to you at any time
Plus, many more. We care about our people.
Curious to know more?
Storal is the highest of standards when it comes to safeguarding, the welfare of children and creating a work environment that encourages feedback, discussion and resilience. As governed by the EYFS, we have a designated safeguarding lead in each setting and all staff (and volunteers) complete thorough compliance checks prior to employment including employment references & DBS.
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Ickle Pickles Nursery Cook employer: Storal Learning Ltd
Contact Detail:
Storal Learning Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Ickle Pickles Nursery Cook
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery! Before your interview, take a look at Ickle Pickles' website and social media. Familiarise yourself with their values and the kind of environment they create. This will help you connect with them during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you have the chance, bring along a sample of your cooking or share a recipe that highlights your creativity. This can really impress them and show you're passionate about providing nutritious meals for the kids.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss dietary needs! Since you'll be catering for children with specific requirements, brush up on common allergies and dietary restrictions. Showing that you understand these needs will demonstrate your commitment to their wellbeing.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Ickle Pickles family. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Ickle Pickles Nursery Cook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: When you write your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your culinary skills, especially in a nursery setting. We want to see how you can bring joy to mealtimes for our little ones.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Make sure to mention your Level 2 Food and Hygiene qualification and any other relevant training. This is super important for us at Ickle Pickles, as we take health and safety seriously in our kitchen!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor it to our nursery’s values and mission. Show us how your unique self aligns with our nurturing environment and commitment to high-quality care.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates about the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Storal Learning Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food hygiene and safety regulations. Familiarise yourself with COSHH guidelines and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles. This shows you're not just qualified, but also serious about keeping the kids safe.
✨Show Your Passion for Cooking
Bring your culinary creativity to the table! Be prepared to share examples of how you've catered to specific dietary needs or created themed menus. This will demonstrate your ability to make mealtimes fun and engaging for the children.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Ickle Pickles values a friendly team environment, so highlight your experience working collaboratively in a kitchen. Share stories that showcase your flexibility and reliability, as these traits are crucial for ensuring smooth kitchen operations.
✨Connect with Their Values
Research Ickle Pickles and their approach to nurturing children. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, especially regarding inclusivity and creating a warm environment. This connection can really set you apart from other candidates.