At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious, nutritious meals for children aged 0-5 and promote healthy eating habits.
- Company: Join the University of St Andrews Nursery, dedicated to exceptional childcare and education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, hybrid working, and discounts on local services.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through wholesome nutrition and creativity.
- Qualifications: Passion for cooking, creativity in menu planning, and commitment to hygiene standards.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
At the University of St Andrews Nursery we are committed to providing exceptional care and education for young children. Our mission is to create a nurturing environment where children can thrive and develop to their fullest potential. We believe in the importance of wholesome nutrition in early childhood development and are seeking a dedicated Nursery Chef to join our team.
As a Nursery Chef at the University of St Andrews Nursery, you will play a key role in promoting healthy eating habits among our children. Working closely with the Nursery Manager and the RBS Catering Team, you will plan, prepare, and serve nutritious meals and snacks that meet the dietary needs and preferences of children aged 0–5, in line with the Scottish Government’s Setting the Table guidance.
We are looking for someone with a passion for cooking, creativity in menu planning, and a strong commitment to maintaining excellent hygiene and food safety standards. The successful candidate will be required to maintain excellent communication with the Nursery Manager and Residential Business Service (RBS) Team. This includes ensuring seamless coordination and communication regarding dietary allergies and preferences, as well as sharing feedback and insights to maintain consistency in meal preparation and service.
The University Nursery provides high quality Early Years Childcare for children from 0 to 5 years of age and is accessible to staff, students, and the wider community. The Nursery is a private 44-place setting operating 51 weeks of the year and offers Fife Council funded spaces. Siting within Saints Sport’s Children’s Services team, the University Nursery benefits from access to highly qualified coaches and a wide range of fantastic sporting activities delivered to children of students, staff, and the community.
The appointment will be subject to a Clear PVG Check for working with children, initiated by the University.
Benefits:
- Annual leave of 30 days, plus 5 public holidays pro rata
- Financial contribution to relocation where applicable
- Membership of the S&LAS Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions
- A hybrid working environment, including partial homeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies
- Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services
- Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel
- Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme
Equality, diversity and inclusion:
Applications are particularly welcome from people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in professional posts at the University. Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of the St Andrews experience. We strive to create a fair and inclusive culture demonstrated through our commitment to diversity awards (Athena Swan, Carer Positive, LGBT Charter, Race Charters and Stonewall). We celebrate diversity by promoting profiles of BAME, LGBTIQ+ staff and supporting networks including the Staff BAME Network; Staff with Disabilities Network; Staff LGBTIQ+ Network; and the Staff Parents & Carers Network.
Visa sponsorship:
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Information on other visa options is available at https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa or by contacting our HR Immigration Team on hrimmigration@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Nursery Chef employer: University of St Andrews
Contact Detail:
University of St Andrews Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery's mission and values. When you walk in for your interview, show us that you understand how important wholesome nutrition is for early childhood development. This will help you stand out as someone who truly cares about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Bring a sample menu or some creative meal ideas to discuss during your interview. We love seeing your passion for cooking and creativity in action! It shows us that you're ready to contribute right from the start.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your communication skills. As a Nursery Chef, you'll need to work closely with the Nursery Manager and RBS Team. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us that you're genuinely interested in being part of our team at the University of St Andrews Nursery.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share any experiences or stories that highlight your creativity in menu planning and how you promote healthy eating habits.
Highlight Your Hygiene Standards: Make sure to mention your commitment to maintaining excellent hygiene and food safety standards. We want to know how you ensure that the meals you prepare are not only delicious but also safe for our little ones.
Communicate Clearly: Since you'll be working closely with the Nursery Manager and the RBS Catering Team, emphasise your communication skills. Talk about how you handle dietary allergies and preferences, and how you share feedback to keep everything running smoothly.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at the University of St Andrews Nursery.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of St Andrews
✨Know Your Nutrition
Brush up on the Scottish Government’s Setting the Table guidance. Be ready to discuss how you can incorporate these principles into your meal planning and preparation. Showing that you understand the importance of nutrition in early childhood development will impress the interviewers.
✨Show Off Your Creativity
Prepare a few menu ideas that are not only nutritious but also appealing to young children. Think about how you can make healthy eating fun! Presenting creative meal options during the interview will demonstrate your passion for cooking and your ability to engage with the children.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since you'll be working closely with the Nursery Manager and RBS Catering Team, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be prepared to discuss how you would handle dietary allergies and preferences, ensuring that you can maintain excellent communication and coordination with the team.
✨Emphasise Hygiene and Safety
Familiarise yourself with food safety standards and hygiene practices relevant to a nursery setting. Be ready to share examples of how you've maintained these standards in previous roles. This will show your commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for the children.