Catering Assistant

Grandir UK Limited; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 15,000 - 17,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days leave incl bank holidays

Christmas shutdown

Flexible working

£500 Refer a Friend bonus

Company pension

Sick pay from day 1

Life assurance

Great Place to Work

Job summary

Grandir UK Limited's Kiddi Caru Day Nursery and Preschool in Writtle is seeking a caring Kitchen Assistant to support the Cook in preparing nutritious meals and maintain a clean, safe kitchen environment.

You will join a supportive team with flexible working options and a strong benefits package, including generous annual leave, pension, and wellbeing initiatives, as you contribute to high standards of catering for children.

Qualifications

• Food safety awareness and willingness to work in a nursery environment.
• Team player with a can-do attitude.

Responsibilities

• Ensuring all food production, service, and presentation meet the required standards.
• Carrying out all catering activities in line with the allocated budget.
• Responding promptly to any feedback regarding the catering operation.
• Purchasing supplies through approved suppliers.
• Ensuring compliance with all aspects of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
• Covering all duties during the Cook's absence.
• Assisting within the nursery rooms as directed by the Nursery Manager or Cook.

Job description

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, 15 September 2026 at 05:00

Kitchen Assistant
Writtle
Part of Grandir UK
Salary up to £10.85 - £12.71 (depending on experience and qualifications with
regular pay reviews)

Join a supportive, child focused nursery offering strong benefits, flexible working and genuine career progression.

Our Kiddi Caru Day Nursery and Preschool in Writtle is looking for a caring and enthusiastic Kitchen Assistant to join our team. In this role you are there to s upport the chef in preparing nutritious, delicious meals and help maintain a clean, safe, and organised kitchen environment

Why You’ll Love Working at Kiddi Caru Day Nursery and Preschool in Writtle

You will be part of a welcoming and supportive team who genuinely care about one another. We create a positive working environment where everyone feels valued, respected and supported to grow.

Core Benefits

• 33 days' annual leave, including bank holidays, with 3 days used during the Christmas shutdown period.
• Christmas and New Year shutdown.
• Flexible working options available.
• £500 Refer a Friend bonus.
• Company pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Statutory Sick Pay from day 1.
• Life assurance for employees aged 18 to 65.
• Certified Great Place to Work, voted for by our current colleagues.

About Our Nursery

Forest School: A child-led, nature-based learning experience that offers children the opportunity to learn and explore in the great outdoors.

Free Flow Play: Encouraging autonomy and exploration both indoors and outdoors.

Regular Community Outings: Connecting children with their surroundings in the community.

Famly App: A source of seamless regular communication between staff and families.

OFSTED Rating – Good

Location and Travel

Located in the picturesque village of Writtle, our nursery sits opposite Anglia Ruskin University and near Hylands Park. With excellent bus links to Chelmsford and easy access to the A414 and A12, it’s conveniently suited for commuting families.

What You'll Be Doing

• Ensuring all food production, service, and presentation meet the required standards.
• Carrying out all catering activities in line with the allocated budget.
• Responding promptly to any feedback regarding the catering operation.
• Purchasing supplies through approved suppliers.
• Ensuring compliance with all aspects of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
• Covering all duties during the Cook's absence.
• Assisting within the nursery rooms as directed by the Nursery Manager or Cook.

Enhanced Family and Wellbeing Benefits

• Maternity and adoption leave paid at 100% for the first 12 weeks.
• Paternity leave paid at 100% for the first 4 weeks.
• Parental bereavement leave of up to 4 weeks, fully paid.
• Compassionate leave of up to 2 weeks, fully paid.
• Miscarriage leave of up to 2 weeks, fully paid.
• Wellbeing Day – an extra day off just for you.
• The Grand Event – up to an additional week of annual leave to attend a significant life event after 2 years' service.

Even More Benefits

• Employee benefits portal with hundreds of retail discounts, including ASOS, gym memberships, cinemas, M&S, and major supermarkets.
• Dayforce Wallet – gives you the ability to access a portion of your earned pay before your normal payday.
• 24-hour remote GP appointments.
• Medical cashback for dental treatment, physiotherapy, and alternative therapies.
• Recognition, rewards, and team celebrations throughout the year, with May dedicated to celebrating our teams.
• Tailored in-house training and genuine progression opportunities.
• Sustainability focus with Carbon Literacy-trained teams and Eco-Schools accreditation.

Grandir UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. An enhanced DBS check is required for this role and will be carried out by our approved third-party provider.

We are an equal opportunity employer and recruit based on merit. To support our recruitment process, we may use AI-assisted tools for tasks such as application screening and reference checks. These tools help us manage applications efficiently, and all hiring decisions are made by our team.