Chef

Busy Bees; Thurstaston; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in the United Kingdom is seeking a passionate Chef to prepare nutritious meals for children at their Thurstaston nursery. You'll oversee kitchen operations, ensure food safety standards, and manage a kitchen team. An ideal candidate will have a Food Hygiene Certificate and experience in catering, along with empathy for children's dietary needs. This position offers competitive salary, professional development, and various employee benefits including holiday perks and discounts.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development

Discounts across a huge range of retailers

Up to 28 days holiday per year

Birthday off

25% childcare discount

Enhanced family leave

Menopause support

Financial support through Salary Finance

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounted Private Medical Insurance

Qualifications

• Experience in catering or kitchen operations.
• Empathy and understanding for individual dietary needs.

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

Food safety compliance

Nutrition planning

Team management

Education

Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or above)

Job description

Role Overview

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

Busy Bees Thurstaston is an Ofsted-rated "Good" nursery with a capacity of 86 children, providing a warm and welcoming environment designed to help children thrive. This purpose‑built nursery features multiple rooms for toddlers and preschoolers, offering bright and airy spaces for play and learning. In addition to ample indoor space and resources, the nursery boasts a fantastic outdoor area, as well as its own off‑site Forest School, offering children invaluable outdoor learning experiences. Located in the heart of the village on Thurstaston Road, the nursery is a 10‑minute walk from Thurstaston Common and a 5‑minute walk from Dawpool C of E Aided Primary School. For those using public transport, School Lane bus stops, serving routes 671, 672, and 673, are conveniently located right outside the nursery. Free parking is available for staff.

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 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.

Role Responsibilities

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

Required Qualifications

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

If you’re passionate about food and nutrition and maybe you have experience as Chef, an Assistant Chef, a Cook or managed a cafe apply now!