Nursery Kitchen Lead: Healthy Meals, Budgeting & Safety

Nursery Kitchen Lead: Healthy Meals, Budgeting & Safety

Full-Time 20000 - 25000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Organise and prepare healthy meals for children aged 0-5, ensuring safety and hygiene.
  • Company: A nurturing nursery focused on providing quality care and nutrition for young children.
  • Benefits: Off-street parking, pension scheme, team-building events, and a supportive work environment.
  • Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for overtime during holidays and sick leave.
  • Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's health while working in a fun, collaborative team.
  • Qualifications: Experience in cooking and knowledge of food safety regulations.

The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.

Purpose of post: To organise, cook and prepare a healthy balanced diet for children from birth to 5 years.

Working hours: 28 hours a week, Monday to Friday, 4 afternoons and 1 full day, with overtime to help with holiday and sick leave.

Key areas:

  • Provision of food hygiene, health and safety.

Responsible to: Nursery Manager/Deputy Manager

Main duties:

  • To be the budget holder for the provision of food and associated goods for the nursery.
  • To be responsible for the purchase of such provisions.
  • To keep weekly accounts of such expenditure.
  • To be responsible, in conjunction with the Manager, for planning healthy and balanced menus.
  • To prepare meals according to individual dietary requirements where necessary.
  • To ensure meals/snacks are safely prepared, nutritionally balanced, of good quality and appropriate in quantity following recommendations in Welsh Government Food and Health Guidelines for Early Years and Child Care Settings (2025); Setting the Table: National Guidance and Food Standards for Early Years Childcare Providers in Scotland.
  • To be clear about the regulation relating to allergies and provide adequate information to parents about the contents of meals provided.
  • To co-ordinate the serving of the mid-day meal and snacks throughout the day.
  • To wash up crockery, cutlery and all equipment used to prepare meals.
  • To be responsible for hygiene and risk assessment within the kitchen area, including all record keeping relevant to the post.
  • To be responsible for food safety within the nursery including all safety checks relating to food storage and preparation.
  • To maintain an agreed high standard of hygiene and cleanliness within the kitchen area.

Benefits:

  • Nursery staff off street parking.
  • Great bus route.
  • Pension scheme.
  • Staff night out and team building.
  • Working as part of a team.

Nursery Kitchen Lead: Healthy Meals, Budgeting & Safety employer: Sunshine Day Nursery (York) Ltd

As a Nursery Kitchen Lead, you will thrive in a supportive environment that prioritises the health and well-being of children while fostering a collaborative team culture. With benefits such as off-street parking, a pension scheme, and opportunities for team-building activities, this role not only offers meaningful work but also encourages personal and professional growth within a nurturing setting. Join us in making a positive impact on young lives through nutritious meals and safe kitchen practices.

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Contact Details:

Sunshine Day Nursery (York) Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Nursery Kitchen Lead: Healthy Meals, Budgeting & Safety

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the childcare and nutrition sectors. Let them know you're on the hunt for a Nursery Kitchen Lead role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you’ve got experience with budgeting, menu planning, or food safety, make sure to highlight these in conversations. Bring along examples of your work or even a sample menu to showcase your expertise when chatting with potential employers.

Tip Number 3

Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to nurseries you’re interested in. Express your passion for healthy meals and child nutrition, and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities. It shows initiative and could land you an interview!

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you prepare for interviews and connect with nurseries looking for someone just like you. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on new job openings tailored to your skills.

We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Kitchen Lead: Healthy Meals, Budgeting & Safety

Budget Management
Menu Planning
Nutritional Knowledge
Food Safety Regulations
Hygiene Standards
Risk Assessment
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Healthy Cooking:When writing your application, let us know why you're passionate about preparing healthy meals for children. Share any relevant experiences or ideas you have for creating balanced menus that cater to different dietary needs.

Highlight Your Budgeting Skills:Since you'll be managing the food budget, make sure to mention any experience you have with budgeting or cost management. We want to see how you can keep things financially on track while still providing nutritious meals.

Emphasise Safety and Hygiene Knowledge:Safety is key in a kitchen, especially when it comes to food preparation for little ones. Be sure to include any training or knowledge you have regarding food safety regulations and hygiene practices. This will show us you're serious about keeping our nursery safe and clean.

Tailor Your Application to Us:Take a moment to read through the job description and align your application with what we're looking for. Use similar language and highlight how your skills match our needs. And remember, applying through our website is the best way to get your application in front of us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Sunshine Day Nursery (York) Ltd

Know Your Nutrition

Brush up on the latest guidelines for healthy meals for children. Be ready to discuss how you would plan balanced menus and cater to individual dietary needs. Showing your knowledge of Welsh Government Food and Health Guidelines will impress the interviewers.

Budgeting Brilliance

Since you'll be the budget holder, come prepared with examples of how you've managed food budgets in the past. Think about how you can balance quality and cost-effectiveness while ensuring nutritional standards are met.

Safety First

Familiarise yourself with food safety regulations and hygiene practices. Be ready to talk about how you ensure a clean kitchen environment and manage risk assessments. This shows that you take safety seriously, which is crucial in a nursery setting.

Team Player Attitude

Highlight your experience working as part of a team. Discuss how you coordinate with others during meal times and how you handle communication with parents regarding dietary requirements and allergies. A collaborative spirit is key in this role!