Assistant Chef

Busy Bees Childcare; Rainham; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in the UK seeks an Assistant Chef passionate about cooking for young children. This role involves preparing healthy meals, maintaining kitchen standards, and supporting kitchen operations. Ideal candidates will have experience in leadership within early years settings, strong mentoring abilities, and problem-solving skills. Join us to contribute to children's wellbeing and gain valuable catering experience.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development

Up to 28 days holiday per year

25% childcare discount

Enhanced family leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounted Private Medical Insurance

Qualifications

• Experience in leadership 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 kitchen operations and maintaining hygiene standards.
• Ensure kitchen inventory is well-maintained and assist with stock management.
• Support meal preparation and assist in cleaning kitchen equipment.

Skills

Leadership experience

Mentoring skills

Problem-solving ability

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.

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.

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.

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 Gillingham, rated Good by Ofsted, is a purpose-built, single-level center with a capacity of 112 children, featuring 10 base rooms and separate garden areas tailored for each age group. We provide essential items such as nappies and wipes, ensuring convenience for families. Our nursery has strong ties with the local community and local authorities to support children's development. Conveniently located within walking distance to bus stops and close to the motorway, we offer free onsite parking for staff. With a number of longstanding staff members, we are committed to providing a nurturing environment and a full-time fee rate for families.

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)

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

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

If you have a passion for leading teams and supporting quality education, apply today!