Job Description

Company Overview

Davey Day Care is a nurturing childcare provider located in a charming Grade II Listed Farmhouse in Quinton Green. We pride ourselves on creating a home-like environment that supports children's learning and development, while also offering high-quality food services prepared on-site.

Summary

At Davey Day Care, we provide a nurturing, supportive, and enriching environment for young children to learn, grow, and thrive. Alongside our childcare provision, we offer a carefully curated parent takeaway service, providing nutritious, home-cooked meals to busy families at the end of the day. We are now looking for an experienced and enthusiastic

Catering Manager

to lead our kitchen team and ensure the highest standards of food quality, safety, and service.

We are seeking a dedicated Catering Manager to join our team at Davey Day Care. This role is pivotal in ensuring that our children receive nutritious meals prepared with care, contributing to their overall well-being and development. The Catering Manager will oversee kitchen operations, manage staff, and maintain our high standards of food safety.

Role Purpose:

To manage the nursery kitchen, delivering freshly prepared, balanced, and child-friendly meals in line with nutritional guidelines. Additionally, oversee and develop the nursery's parent takeaway service, providing healthy and convenient meal options for families

Key Responsibilities:Kitchen Management & Food Preparation

Plan, prepare, and serve nutritious, age-appropriate meals and snacks for children in accordance with dietary guidelines and allergy requirements. Design, prepare, and manage the parent takeawaymenu, ensuring high quality, family-friendly meals. Manage food ordering, stock control, portion management, and waste reduction to maximize efficiency and minimize costs. Ensure compliance with all food hygiene, health & safety regulations, and allergy protocols (including Safer Food Better Business guidelines).

Team Leadership

Supervise and support kitchen assistants or additional catering staff as required. Ensure high standards of kitchen cleanliness and hygiene are maintained by all staff at all times. Deliver training on food safety, hygiene, and allergen management.

Customer Service

Work collaboratively with nursery staff and parents to meet dietary needs and preferences. Build positive relationships with parents through the parent takeawayservice, responding to feedback and adapting menus as needed.

Administration & Compliance

Maintain accurate records of menus, allergens, temperature checks, and cleaning schedules. Monitor and manage kitchen budgets in collaboration with the Nursery Manager. Participate in inspections and audits from Environmental Health and Ofsted as required.

Person Specification: Essential:

Relevant catering qualification (e.g., NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Professional Cookery or equivalent) Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (minimum) Proven experience in catering for children and managing a kitchen Knowledge of nutrition and dietary requirements for children under 5 Strong understanding of food safety, HACCP, and allergy management Excellent organisational and time management skills Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines Confident communicator with a friendly, approachable manner

Desirable:

Experience within an early years, school, or healthcare catering environment Experience running a small retail/takeaway food service First Aid Training (including Allergy Awareness) Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification

Benefits:

Competitive salary and pension scheme Discounted childcare Professional development and training opportunities A supportive, family-focused working environment
If you are passionate about providing quality food services in a nurturing environment, we invite you to apply for the Catering Manager position at Davey Day Care. Join us in making a difference in children's lives!

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 25,000.00-29,250.00 per year

Benefits:

Company events Company pension Employee discount On-site parking
Work Location: In person

Reference ID: Catering Manager