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- Tasks: Plan and cook healthy meals for nursery children, ensuring dietary needs are met.
- Company: Join Ormiston Families, a leading charity supporting children and families in the East of England.
- Benefits: Enjoy a pension scheme, employee discounts, and regular staff events.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team that promotes healthy eating and child development in a fun environment.
- Qualifications: Level 2 food handling qualification and current food hygiene certificate required.
- Other info: Flexible hours available; term-time only considered for the right candidate.
Ormiston Families - Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 9BU
£12.60 per hour, 27.5 hours per week, Part Time, we would consider term time only, Maternity Cover, Reference: 0157, Required as soon as possible.
Your role:
Play Out Ipswich are looking for a Nursery Cook with a passion for food and working with young children who would like to join us to cover maternity leave. You will be responsible for planning, preparing and cooking healthy balanced meals for the children in our care who range from babies to pre-schoolers.
You will have 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 out 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.
Your responsibilities:
- 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.
You will need:
- 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.
About us:
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. All our services help people to build stronger networks, learn from experience and feel in control of their own wellbeing. We can only achieve this with the people who choose to work for us.
Play Out is a child focused, outdoor loving, puddle jumping, mud pie making childcare group. Our highly experienced and passionate team is committed to supporting children to develop through a rich learning environment. Play Out Ipswich is situated just outside the town centre, on Felixstowe Road, with close links to the main road and rail network. The nursery operates from 8am to 6pm daily.
We will offer you:
- 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 more information:
To find out more about us, please visit our website (ormiston.org).
For an informal discussion only, please contact the HR Team by emailing HR@ormistonfamilies.org.uk.
How to apply:
To apply, please complete your application online by visiting our vacancies page (ormiston.org/vacancy). Closing date: 9am, 25 April 2025.
About the Team:
IMPORTANT PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING. To apply, please follow the application process detailed above. This job does not have a Suffolk Jobs Direct online application form. The 'Apply Now' button below only allows you to submit a job alert, not an online application.
Nursery Cook - Play Out employer: Suffolk County Council
Contact Detail:
Suffolk County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Cook - Play Out
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary needs of young children. Understanding common allergies and nutritional requirements will not only help you in your role but also impress the hiring team at Play Out.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for cooking and working with children during any informal discussions or interviews. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your enthusiasm and ability to engage with kids through food.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Play Out's philosophy and approach to childcare. Being able to discuss how your cooking aligns with their values will demonstrate your commitment to their mission and make you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees if possible. They can provide insights into the nursery's culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach and stand out during the application process.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Cook - Play Out
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Nursery Cook position. Highlight your passion for food and working with children in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects relevant experience in cooking, food hygiene, and working with children. Include any qualifications, such as a level 2 qualification in food handling or a current food hygiene certificate.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your enthusiasm for the role and your understanding of the importance of nutrition for young children. Mention how you can contribute to the nursery's inclusive ethos and partnership with parents.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your organisational skills, ability to plan balanced menus, and commitment to maintaining hygiene standards. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed similar responsibilities in the past.
How to prepare for a job interview at Suffolk County Council
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for cooking and working with children during the interview. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your love for preparing healthy meals, as this will resonate well with the nursery's ethos.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of Dietary Needs
Be prepared to discuss how you would cater to various dietary requirements and allergies. Familiarise yourself with common allergens and how to safely manage them in a kitchen setting, as this is crucial for the safety of the children.
✨Highlight Your Organisational Skills
Since you'll be responsible for menu planning and food ordering, showcase your organisational abilities. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen tasks in the past, ensuring cleanliness and efficiency.
✨Engage with the Nursery's Values
Research Ormiston Families and Play Out's values and mission. During the interview, align your answers with their commitment to supporting children's development and promoting healthy eating, demonstrating that you're a good fit for their team.
