Early Years Field Chef

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool; Grove; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount 50%

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave + holidays

Pension

Wellbeing benefits & 24/7 GP

Career development programme

Job summary

Bright Horizons Elm Grove Day Nursery and Preschool is seeking an Early Years Field Chef to cover nurseries in the Kingston and Surbiton area. You will prepare and present nutritious meals for children, ensuring dietary needs are met and waste is minimised.

You will travel between sites, maintain kitchen records, and work with nursery teams to support care and education. A clean driving license and access to a car are required for this role.

Qualifications

• Previous experience within a commercial catering role.
• 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.
• Ability and willingness to work across multiple sites, with access to own transport, and clean driving license.

Responsibilities

• Travel to nurseries within a region to cover for the permanent Chef on leave or when absent.
• Prepare, cook and present age-appropriate meals with minimum wastage.
• Ensure dietary requirements are catered for and communicated to teams.
• Maintain accurate kitchen records and a clean, safe work environment.
• Support nursery management with food ordering and stock control.

Skills

Catering experience

Nutrition & healthy eating

Dietary requirements

Food safety (CIEH L2+)

COSHH knowledge

Communication skills

Work under pressure

Own transport & driving license

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Elm Grove Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary – Starting from £32,000 per annum (dependant on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Kingston and Surbiton areas

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 Field Chef to join our team, to provide cover across our nurseries within the Kingston and Surbiton area.

• Candidates applying for this position MUST have a clean driver's license and own car as it's a requirement for the role

Our Benefits

• 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
• Subject to T&Cs

The Role

As an Early Years Field Chef, you will travel to nurseries within a region where cover is needed, when the permanent Chef is on annual leave, or at times of sickness or absence.

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 will work in partnership with the nursery teams to support the nursery care and education provision. You will also keep accurate kitchen records, maintain a clean and safe work environment, and support nursery management with food ordering.

What We’re Looking For

• Previous experience within a commercial catering role
• 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
• Ability and willingness to work across multiple sites, with access to own transport, and clean driving license

Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.