Job Description

Bring your skills to LEYF and make the biggest impact on London's families Drive healthy choices Join us as a Relief Chef with your central base at New Cross, SE14 Starting salary of 31,806 per year

We're the London Early Years Foundation; we run 43 nurseries in London. With our unique charitable social enterprise model, we're leading change in Early Years, ensuring equal education and care for all children to give them the best start in life. Any profits we make get reinvested back into the business, giving more to you and to the children.


We're dedicated to keeping children safe, healthy, and fit, with nutritious meals being a key part of this. As a Chef at LEYF, you'll have a big impact, helping children, families and your wider nursery team make healthier choices for life.

"When I arrive at the nursery in the morning, the children's faces light up." - Senior Nursery Chef

"It's a different working environment - a lot friendlier and calmer." - Senior Nursery Chef

What we give to you

A

starting salary of 31,806

(full-time, 40 hours/week) Work life balance -

Monday to Friday schedule!*

7% pension contribution

(you only contribute 1% so your take home pay is more)

70% childcare discount

for your child or grandchild at LEYF

35 days annual leave

(including 8 bank holidays) and your birthday off Sector-leading parental leave, wellbeing support, shopping discounts, company events, team celebrations, and more!

1,000 salary increase

upon completing our Level 3 Chef Academy qualification

Who we're looking for

As an Early Years Relief Chef, you'll support LEYF nurseries across London when permanent chefs are absent. You'll prepare tasty and nutritious meals for children and colleagues, and help to educate children, parents and the team on healthy eating.


Your main base will be at our New Cross Nursery, and we'll cover travel expenses beyond your base.


Our nursery team is welcoming, down-to-earth, and genuinely supportive, making it easy for you to be yourself at work. As a Chef at LEYF, you won't just be cooking -- you'll have the chance to grow your skills through our Chef Academy, contribute to menu development, and prepare fresh, nutritious meals every day (no reheating here!).


Bring your love of good food and your naturally kind, patient approach to help the children explore new flavours and build healthy habits for life.

You'll need

The right to work in the UK An ability to engage with the children, making food fun! Level 2 Food hygiene cert, or be willing to do the course (for free) in your first week

If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you!

Our recruitment process is quick, so you'll hear from us within 1-2 days after applying. Reach us at jointheteam@leyf.org.uk or 0203 834 8679 for any questions.