Job Description

Key Responsibilities

To provide fresh, nutritious and well-presented meals, suitable for children and babies, under the age of five, adhering to the 'healthy Under Fives' guidelines. These meals are to include a two-course lunch and a two-course afternoon tea.

To ensure that meals that are prepared reflect any special dietary requirements of the individual children; ? referring to food allergies, food intolerances, cultural needs, vegetarian requirements and any other, according to the information supplied by the Nursery Manager

To contribute ideas to menu planning with the Nursery Manager, ensuring that the children receive a healthy nutritionally balanced and culturally diverse diet.

To complete food orders within the appropriate timescales for deliveries

To maintain a safe, clean and healthy kitchen environment at all times and help with housekeeping duties to all areas.

To adhere to the 'Safer Food Better Business' standards and record keeping. To strictly adhere to Food Hygiene Regulations and other safety precautions at all times. Be aware of and implement Health and Safety procedures including Risk Assessments and COSHH.

To ensure stock rotated daily and stock is monitored and maintained through the weekly shopping order

To ensure that equipment is maintained in good order and that any faulty or potentially dangerous equipment is immediately removed and reported to the Nursery Management Team.

To ensure that equipment and materials (including the dishwasher, microwave, oven, fridges and freezers are cleaned and everything is cleared away leaving the kitchen neat and tidy at the end of the day in line with the daily and weekly cleaning checklist

To attend staff appraisals, staff meetings, training events as deemed appropriate by the Leadership and Management Team.

To ensure compliance with the Learn and Play Code of Conduct, policies and procedures

To keep up to date with current good practice.

To take and record food temperatures whilst cooking and food standing

To maintain a neat and tidy appearance at all times, displaying a courteous and pleasant manner towards all. To be motivated, enthusiastic and innovative about the role.

To store a portion of the day's menu in the freezer which should be discarded after five days.

To implement equal opportunities at all times.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and does require a Disclosure and Barring Scheme check and the receipt of satisfactory references. Applicants must be prepared to disclose any convictions (spent or pending) that may have and any orders which have been made against them.

Job Type / Category

NURSERY CHEF -

Learn and Play Childcare Ltd

9.00am until 5pm Monday to Friday

All year round

To prepare and serve nutritionally balanced and diverse meals for all of the children who attend the setting. To maintain the kitchen according to current Environmental Health Standards and adhere to the 'Safer Food better Business standards and record keeping.

Required Education, Skills and Qualifications

Essential Criteria

Good Literacy, Numeracy and Computer skills An Ability to cook An ability to use food preparation equipment and ensure the economic use of materials, equipment and energy. An understanding of nutritionally balanced foods An awareness of dietary needs, food allergies, culturally diverse menus Knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety, Environmental health and Food Safety and COSHH Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative. Ability to manage own time and prioritise tasks Excellent communication skills Commitment to undertaking training and continued professional development Commitment to Equal Opportunities Create menus Be a part of the team with a flexible approach to work duties
Desirable

Experience of cooking in an early years or school setting. A Current Food Hygiene Certificate
Team Contribution

To work as an effective member of the Learn And Play Childcare Team; ensuring staff maintain good moral, a high reputation both in and outside of the setting and ensure all of the Learn and Play standards are met. Work with the Leadership and Management Team to implement statutory and good practice requirements.
All PPE provided by employer

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From 12.21 per hour

Expected hours: 36.25 per week

Benefits:

On-site parking
Experience:

cooking in a professional capacity: 1 year (required) Kitchen: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:

Cooking experience in a professional role (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 25/07/2025
Reference ID: Cook LPCC 2025
Expected start date: 04/08/2025