Chef

Busy Bees; Reigate and Banstead; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development

Hive benefits platform

28 days holiday

Birthday off

25% childcare discount

Enhanced family leave

Peppy menopause support

Salary Finance support

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Busy Bees, a leading nursery group in the UK, is looking for a Chef to join our kitchen team. You will prepare healthy, age-appropriate meals and support children's growth and development in the Early Years sector.

You will ensure food safety, manage kitchen operations, and work closely with staff to deliver nourishing menus. This role offers opportunities for professional development within a supportive, child-centred environment.

Qualifications

• Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or above) required.
• Experience in catering or kitchen operations.
• Empathy and understanding of each child as unique.

Responsibilities

• Prepare healthy, nutritious meals that meet dietary needs.
• Oversee kitchen operations ensuring food safety and hygiene compliance.
• Manage kitchen staff and collaborate with regulatory bodies during inspections.
• Maintain kitchen inventory and efficiently manage purchasing.

Skills

Cooking

Food Safety

Catering

Empathy

Education

Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or above)

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 a 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

Reigate, rated Good by Ofsted, is located in a charming listed building with a single-level design, featuring a small garden and a large car park. With a capacity of 93 children, we work closely with local schools and have recently begun collaborating with local businesses and charities to enhance our community connections. Our nursery is within walking distance of Reigate Station and offers excellent transport links, along with free parking for staff. We provide a physical and sensory room for babies, an academy for preschoolers, and a variety of extracurricular activities, ensuring a well-rounded and nurturing environment for all children.

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 needs.
• Oversee kitchen operations ensuring food safety and hygiene compliance.
• Manage kitchen staff and collaborate with regulatory bodies during inspections.
• Maintain kitchen inventory and efficiently manage purchasing.

Ideal Candidate:

• Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or above).
• Experience in catering or kitchen operations.
• Empathy and understanding - each child is unique.