Early Years Chef - Mat Cover

Bright Horizons UK; Southampton; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare provider in England is seeking an Early Years Chef for their North Baddesley nursery. The role involves preparing and presenting healthy meals for children, ensuring dietary needs are met, and leading cookery club sessions. Ideal candidates will have experience in a cooking role, a passion for nutrition, and must possess Food Safety certification. This is a great opportunity to join a company recognized as a fantastic workplace, offering various benefits including childcare discounts and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Childcare discount of 50% for first child

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Pension

Financial and wellbeing benefits

Professional development programme

Qualifications

• Experience within a cooking role, either domestic or commercial.
• Ability to manage various dietary requirements, especially food allergies.
• Sound knowledge of COSHH.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and present age-appropriate food.
• Ensure dietary requirements are catered for.
• Lead cookery club sessions and support nursery activities.

Skills

Experience in cooking roles

Passion for nutrition

Knowledge of dietary requirements

Communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Food Safety CIEH L2 or equivalent

Job description

Nursery: Bright Horizons North Baddesley Day Nursery

Salary: £27,617.03- £37,741.83 (depending on experience and qualifications)

Location – North Baddesley

Are you looking to work for an organisation whose culture is driven by our HEART principles – Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork? Where you can be yourself, feel supported, and help to make a difference to the next generation? Somewhere you can say: “I did that.”

We’re looking for an Early Years Chef to join our North Baddesley nursery.

Our Benefits

• £27,617.03- £37,741.83

  per annum

• Childcare discount of 50% for first child
• Enhanced parental leave
• 20 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and paid Christmas closure. Ability to also purchase additional leave*
• Pension
• Financial and wellbeing benefits including 24/7 virtual GP appointments, early access to wages, and more
• Professional development programme access for every stage of your career, including access to a careers coach
• Shift: 40 hours over 5 days (can be discussed)

*Subject to T&Cs

The Role

As an Early Years Chef you will prepare, cook, and present age‑appropriate food for all the children in the nursery, with minimum wastage. You will ensure all dietary requirements are catered for and clearly communicated to teams, and work in partnership with the team and parents to encourage a healthy and nutritious diet. You will also have an active role in leading cookery club sessions with the children, and support with other nursery activities, such as BBQs, Fetes, and staff meetings.

What we’re looking for

• Previous experience within a cooking role, in a domestic or commercial property
• Passion for nutrition, and inspiring others in healthy eating
• Ability to demonstrate a sound knowledge of managing different dietary requirements, particularly food allergies
• Food Safety CIEH L2 or above (or equivalent) – this must be passed on day 1 in post
• Sound knowledge of COSHH
• Great communication skills, with colleagues, children, and parents
• Ability to work under pressure

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants. Please note, due to our sector all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS.

If you want to make a difference, with a company who has been voted Great Place to Work every year since 2006, apply today!

INDSH

We look forward to receiving your application!

If you experience any problems, please [e-mail] we will be happy to help.