Early Years Kitchen Assistant

Bright Horizons; Maidenbower; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount 40%

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave plus bank/public/

Pension

Financial and wellbeing benefits

Professional development programme

Tuition for leave purchases

Job summary

Bright Horizons in Crawley is hiring an Early Years Kitchen Assistant to support the Chef in preparing age-appropriate meals and maintaining a clean, safe kitchen. You will ensure dietary restrictions are communicated to teams and help run the kitchen in the Chef's absence.

The role requires food safety certification and COSHH awareness, plus strong communication with staff, children and parents. Starting salary £26,662.20, part-time 20–25 hours/week, with benefits provided.

Qualifications

• Previous cooking experience in domestic or commercial setting.
• Passion for nutrition and inspiring healthy eating.
• Knowledge of managing dietary requirements, esp. allergies.
• Food Safety CIEH L2 or above (to be passed on day 1).
• COSHH knowledge is required.
• Excellent communication with colleagues, children and parents.
• Ability to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Support the Chef with preparation and cooking of age-appropriate nursery meals.
• Help ensure minimum wastage and maintain kitchen cleanliness and safety.
• In the Chef's absence, run the kitchen and communicate dietary needs clearly to teams.

Skills

Cooking experience

Nutrition passion

Dietary requirements knowledge

Communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Food Safety CIEH Level 2 or above

Job description

As an Early Years Kitchen Assistant, you will support the Chef in the preparation and cooking of age-appropriate food for all the children in the nursery, with minimum wastage, and in keeping the kitchen a clean and safe environment. In the absence of the Chef, you will take responsibility for the running of the kitchen, and ensuring all dietary requirements are catered for and clearly communicated to teams.

• 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

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. Proud to be a Great Place to Work for 20 years.

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 Kitchen Assistant to join our Crawley Day Nursery and Preschool.

Salary - Starting from £26,662.20 per annum (Full-time equivalent - Pro-rata'd) (dependent on qualification/s and experience) Location - Crawley

Our contract type: working P/T, 20-25 hours a week, covering lunches, Mon-Fri (an example shift could be 9:30am-2:30pm).

Our Benefits

• Childcare discount of 40% 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