At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare nutritious meals and maintain a clean, safe nursery environment for children.
- Company: Join Thomas Franks, a unique catering business focused on excellence and service.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, discounts, enhanced leave, and excellent career progression.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for training and social events.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your culinary and housekeeping skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering or childcare preferred; food hygiene knowledge is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 32000 £ per year.
A co-educational private day prep school in Solihull, West Midlands, catering for 640 students and teachers daily. We offer a core feeding of lunch and some hospitality at this location. This is a 52-week role operating Monday to Friday. Additional benefit to this location is free parking on site.
We are currently recruiting for a Nursery Chef & Housekeeper for one of our fantastic locations in Solihull. The Nursery Chef & Housekeeper plays a vital role in supporting the health, safety, wellbeing, and daily comfort of children within the nursery environment. This position is essential in ensuring children receive nutritious, balanced meals while maintaining a clean, safe, hygienic, and welcoming setting where children can learn, grow, and thrive. The role directly contributes to children’s wellbeing, development, and overall nursery standards by promoting excellent hygiene, food safety, and cleanliness throughout the nursery.
Key Responsibilities- Kitchen & Food Preparation
- Prepare and cook healthy meals and snacks for children daily.
- Plan balanced menus suitable for children’s nutritional needs.
- Cater for allergies, dietary requirements, and cultural preferences.
- Maintain high standards of food hygiene and kitchen safety.
- Store food correctly and monitor stock levels.
- Keep accurate records of food temperatures, deliveries, and cleaning schedules.
- Ensure compliance with food safety and health regulations.
- Housekeeping Duties
- Clean and sanitise kitchens regularly throughout the day and common areas (Reception).
- Sweep, mop, vacuum, dust, and disinfect surfaces regularly.
- Wash dishes, kitchen utensils, and nursery equipment.
- Manage laundry duties including washing and changing bed sheets, children’s clothes, bibs, flannels.
- Empty bins and dispose of waste safely.
- Replenish cleaning and hygiene supplies as needed.
- Report maintenance or health and safety concerns promptly.
- Ensure the nursery environment is tidy, safe, and welcoming at all times.
- Previous experience in catering, housekeeping, or childcare settings preferred.
- Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 preferred).
- Knowledge of health, safety, and hygiene standards.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Good organisational and time-management skills.
- Reliable, hardworking, and attentive to detail.
- Knowledge of children’s nutrition.
- Cleaning and sanitation skills.
- Communication and teamwork.
- Ability to multitask efficiently.
- Awareness of allergy and dietary management.
- May require standing for long periods and lifting light equipment or supplies.
- Must follow safeguarding, hygiene, and health & safety procedures at all times.
- Wider wallet scheme (discounts at major retailers, restaurants, gyms etc).
- Free meals on duty.
- Volunteers leave - up to one day per year.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Recommend a friend bonus.
- Unrivalled individual training and development.
- Well established apprenticeship programme.
- Team & company social events.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Workplace pension.
- Excellent career progression within a leading independent contract caterer.
Thomas Franks is a founder led, fresh food catering business with a focus on excellence and service delivered with individuality, passion and style. We are unique in every approach and our clients, and our people are paramount to our daily success.
All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this role. An enhanced DBS, Identity & reference checks (covering the last five years) will form part of the selection process. As an organisation using the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure service to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust, Thomas Franks Ltd complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and undertake not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure based on conviction or other information revealed. However, for any post in a school please be aware that any application is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such any criminal conviction, caution or bind-over must be declared.
We actively encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and continue to develop a culture of growth and inclusion and would like to invite applications from groups who are currently under-represented, because we believe greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life.
Nursery Chef & Housekeeper - Monday to Friday employer: Thomas Franks Ltd
Thomas Franks is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Solihull, where the role of Nursery Chef & Housekeeper is pivotal to nurturing children's wellbeing. With benefits such as free meals on duty, enhanced leave policies, and extensive training opportunities, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive within a culture that values individuality and excellence. The company also promotes a healthy work-life balance with free onsite parking and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Chef & Housekeeper - Monday to Friday
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery environment! Before your interview, visit the location if possible. Familiarising yourself with the space and its vibe can help you feel more confident and show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you get the chance, bring along a sample of a healthy dish you've prepared. This not only demonstrates your cooking abilities but also gives you a chance to discuss your approach to children's nutrition.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about hygiene and safety! Brush up on food safety regulations and cleaning protocols. Being knowledgeable about these topics will show that you take the role seriously and are committed to maintaining a safe environment for the kids.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from our site. It shows you're keen and makes it easier for us to keep track of your application. Plus, you'll find all the info you need about the role there!
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Chef & Housekeeper - Monday to Friday
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:When you're writing your application, let us know why you love cooking for children! Share any experiences you've had in catering or preparing meals that cater to kids' nutritional needs. We want to see your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Housekeeping Skills:Don't forget to mention your cleaning and sanitation skills! Talk about your experience in maintaining a tidy and safe environment, as this is super important for the role. We appreciate attention to detail, so make sure to showcase that!
Tailor Your Application:Make your application stand out by tailoring it to our specific job description. Use keywords from the listing, like 'food hygiene', 'safety', and 'teamwork'. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position.
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thomas Franks Ltd
✨Know Your Nutrition
Familiarise yourself with children's nutritional needs and dietary requirements. Be ready to discuss how you would plan balanced menus and cater for allergies during the interview. This shows your commitment to the wellbeing of the children.
✨Showcase Your Hygiene Knowledge
Brush up on food hygiene standards and health regulations. Be prepared to explain how you maintain cleanliness in the kitchen and nursery areas. Highlighting your understanding of these practices will demonstrate your attention to detail and safety.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
This role requires teamwork, so think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others. Share stories that showcase your ability to work independently as well as part of a team, which is crucial in a nursery environment.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect practical scenarios related to food preparation and housekeeping. Think about how you would handle specific situations, like managing dietary restrictions or maintaining a clean environment. Practising these responses can help you feel more confident during the interview.
