Assistant Chef

Busy Bees Nurseries; Matlock; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development

Bee Curious curriculum

Hive wellbeing platform

25% childcare discount

Birthday off

Pension access

Salary Finance

Mental Health First Aiders

Job summary

Busy Bees Matlock is seeking an enthusiastic Assistant Chef to join our nursery kitchen team. You will prepare healthy, child-friendly meals and support the Chef in daily operations, ensuring food safety and dietary requirements are met.

This role is based in Matlock, Derbyshire, within a leading UK nursery group. It offers opportunities for professional development and a comprehensive benefits package as part of Busy Bees’ Bee Curious curriculum.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience within early years settings.
• Strong mentoring and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to drive improvements and ensure compliance.

Responsibilities

• Prepare healthy, nutritious meals that meet dietary requirements for children.
• Support the Chef in overseeing kitchen operations and maintaining food safety and hygiene standards.
• Ensure kitchen inventory is well-maintained and assist with ordering and stock management.
• Support meal preparation and assist in the cleaning and maintenance of kitchen equipment.

Skills

Leadership experience

Mentoring

Problem solving

Job description

Join Our Team at Busy Bees – Leading Nursery Group in the UK

Are you passionate about cooking and providing nutritious meals for young children? As an Assistant Chef at Busy Bees, you’ll be a key part of our kitchen team, preparing healthy meals that support children's growth and development. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a nurturing environment where you will contribute to the wellbeing of children while gaining valuable experience in catering within the early years sector.

About Us

Busy Bees is the UK's leading nursery group, with nearly 400 nurseries across the UK and more overseas. We are dedicated to giving every child the best start in life and are proud to have won awards for our workplace culture. At Busy Bees, we ensure that every member of our team feels heard, valued, and nurtured.

Why Work at Busy Bees?

We offer a supportive environment that empowers you to create engaging, educational spaces where children can thrive. As part of our team, you’ll be introduced to our unique Bee Curious curriculum, designed to foster curiosity and confidence in young learners.

Our Charitable Commitment

Through our partnership with BBC Children in Need, we offer fantastic opportunities for community involvement and fundraising to support children's lives.

About Our Nursery

Join the passionate team at Busy Bees Matlock, a nurturing nursery with a capacity of 82 children, located in the picturesque county town of Derbyshire. Our nursery features several rooms tailored to different age ranges and developmental stages, ensuring every child receives the attention and support they need to thrive. A standout feature of our Matlock nursery is the fantastic outdoor play area, where children can enjoy various activities such as bike riding, playing football, exploring climbing equipment, or simply discovering their natural surroundings. This safe and stimulating environment encourages children to engage in active play while developing confidence and independence. Conveniently situated on Chesterfield Road in the leafy area of Matlock, our nursery is easily accessible by public transport, with a bus stop just a short walk away on Bakewell Road. Additionally, we offer free parking for those who prefer to drive. If you're passionate about early childhood education and creating a positive impact on children's lives, we invite you to become a part of our wonderful community at Busy Bees Matlock!

Busy Bees Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Ongoing professional development and career progression
• Our 'Hive' benefits and wellbeing hub, with discounts across a huge range of retailers
• Up to 28 days holiday per year (including bank holidays)
• Your birthday off – it’s our gift to you!
• 25% childcare discount
• Enhanced family leave and return to work bonus
• Menopause support through Peppy
• Financial support through Salary Finance
• Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Easy access to your workplace pension through Cushon
• Discounted Private Medical Insurance (PMI)

But wait, there’s more! You'll also enjoy access to our Benefits and Wellbeing platform, Hive - offering huge array huge of retail discounts helping your money to go further, along with a Wellbeing Hub featuring resources to support your physical and mental health. A Celebrating You section showcasing the ways we recognise and reward our valued team members. Plus, a dedicated Grow with Us area sharing the exciting development opportunities and training designed to support you to thrive and grow at Busy Bees.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare healthy, nutritious meals that meet dietary requirements for children.
• Support the Chef in overseeing kitchen operations and maintaining food safety and hygiene standards.
• Ensure kitchen inventory is well-maintained and assist with ordering and stock management.
• Support meal preparation and assist in the cleaning and maintenance of kitchen equipment.

Ideal Candidate

• Ideally experience in leadership within early years settings.
• Strong mentoring and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to drive improvements and ensure compliance.