Early Years Kitchen Assistant

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, LLC.; Otterbourne; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount

Enhanced parental leave

Pension & wellbeing benefits

Professional development

Shift options: 12-5pm

Job summary

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, LLC. is seeking an Early Years Kitchen Assistant in Otterbourne. You will support the Chef in preparing meals for children, ensuring nutrition, portion control and minimal waste, while maintaining a clean, safe kitchen environment.

The role requires experience in cooking, knowledge of dietary requirements and adherence to food safety standards. Good communication with staff, children and parents is essential.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to communicate clearly with colleagues, children and parents.
• Ability to maintain composure and work under pressure in a busy kitchen.
• Knowledge of dietary requirements and communicating them to teams.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Chef with preparation and cooking of age-appropriate meals.
• Ensure kitchen cleanliness and safe food handling procedures are followed.
• Manage dietary requirements and communicate any allergies to staff.

Skills

Great communication

Teamwork

Under pressure

Nutrition awareness

Education

Food Safety Level 2 (CIEH)

Job description

Salary – £26,662.20 per annum Location – Otterbourne 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 Otterbourne nursery.

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
• Shift options: 12-5pm 4/5 days a week *Subject to T&Cs

The Role

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.

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.

Company Culture

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.

We believe our people’s potential is endless and with this in mind, we aspire to create an environment where our colleagues can thrive and accomplish the things they thought impossible.

Bright Horizons has been recognised as a Great Place to Work by our employees and the Great Place to Work Institute for the last 13 years. We care passionately about what we do, and our HEART values and principles help us support one another in the work that we do each day.

We have many ways to acknowledge and celebrate our people, including our very popular “employee appreciation month”. This is a chance for everyone to share their gratitude to one another, across the whole company.

By creating this account you acknowledge that Bright Horizons will collect, store and process any of your personal data provided in respect of your application and employment in accordance with our Employee Privacy Notice.

https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/statutory-information/privacy-notice-employees