Assistant Cook

Kids Planet Day Nurseries; Leeds; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals

KP Academy training

Enhanced family leave

Wellbeing & rewards

Long service awards

Birthday day off

Competitive salary & pension

Supportive central team

Job summary

Kids Planet Austhorpe is hiring a Kitchen Assistant to support the chef in preparing healthy meals for children in a warm, caring environment.

Join a family-run group across the UK with great transport links, training via KP Academy, wellbeing benefits, and ongoing opportunities. We foster an inclusive culture and celebrate diversity within our staff and children.

Qualifications

• Catering experience in a similar environment is required.
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate is desirable.
• Knowledge of food preparation for special dietary needs is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Support the chef in preparing healthy, nutritious meals and snacks for children.
• Cater for allergies and dietary needs, ensuring food is safe and suitable.
• Keep the kitchen clean and tidy, following hygiene and safety standards.

Skills

Catering experience

Education

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Kids Planet is an independent, family run group of nurseries providing the highest standard of nursery care across the UK.

What if your next job meant more than just work, what if it meant shaping futures, every day?

Kids Planet is a proud family-run business, we do things with heart and we're passionate about giving every child the best possible start. No two settings are the same, but all of them are built around our shared values: care, curiosity, and a genuine love for early years.

Join Kids Planet Austhorpe as a Kitchen Assistant!

We're now looking for a Kitchen Assistant to join our team, someone who's ready to get stuck in, spark imaginations, and help children thrive.

Why Kids Planet Austhorpe?

A small nursery with a family feel

Good location with great transport links

Great Place to Work Certified 2025/26

Ranked UK Best Workplaces for Women 2025

Crowned NMT's Large Nursery Group of the Year, for the second year running

80% Childcare Discount - T&Cs apply

What we offer our Kitchen Assistant:

• Free breakfast, lunch, and healthy snacks to fuel your day!
• Accredited training through our awesome KP Academy and bespoke training platform.
• Enhanced leave for maternity, paternity, fertility, and adoption because family matters.
• Wellbeing goodies, staff rewards, and fun events all year round.
• Long service awards to celebrate your commitment.
• Take the day off on your birthday, it's all about you!
• Competitive salary, pension plan and enhanced holiday allowance.
• Friendly central support team always on hand to help.

How you'll make a difference as a Kitchen Assistant:

• By supporting the chef in preparing healthy, nutritious meals and snacks for children.
• Through catering for allergies and special dietary needs, ensuring all food is safe and suitable.
• By keeping the kitchen clean and tidy, following hygiene and safety standards.

What a Kitchen Assistant needs:

• Catering experience, preferably in a similar environment.
• A basic Food Hygiene Certificate is desirable.
• Knowledge of food preparation for special dietary needs.

Sound like the place for you?

We are unable to offer any kind of visa sponsorship for this role.

We embrace everyone. Our goal is to create a truly inclusive culture and diverse workforce. We break down barriers so you can be your authentic self and flourish!

Kids Planet is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children and young people. An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role. We expect all staff and volunteers to uphold this commitment, and safeguarding training is a fundamental part of every role. All colleagues are required to complete regular training to ensure they understand and fulfil their responsibilities. A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate is mandatory for all positions, and this role will be subject to enhanced checks as part of our safeguarding duties.

Kids Planet is committed to equal opportunities for all. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our staff and children. Applications are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.