Early Years Kitchen Assistant

Bright Horizons; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 19,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

40% childcare discount

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave + bank holidays

Pension

Wellbeing benefits and online GP

Job summary

Bright Horizons Tonbridge Day Nursery and Preschool is hiring an Early Years Kitchen Assistant for a part-time role (Monday–Friday, 10:00–14:00) in Tonbridge, Kent. You will support meal preparation for children, maintain a clean and safe kitchen, and ensure dietary needs are clearly communicated to teams.

DBS checks apply. Requirements include previous cooking experience, knowledge of food safety, COSHH, and strong communication with staff, children, and parents.

Qualifications

• Experience in cooking in domestic or commercial settings.
• Passion for nutrition and promoting healthy eating.
• Able to manage dietary requirements and communicate clearly about allergies.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparation and cooking of age-appropriate meals for children.
• Support the Chef and run the kitchen in their absence.
• Ensure hygiene, cleanliness and safety in the kitchen at all times.

Skills

Cooking experience

Nutrition passion

Dietary knowledge

Food safety L2+

COSHH knowledge

Communication skills

Stamina under pressure

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Tonbridge Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary – £13.26 - £13.93 per hour (dependent on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Tonbridge, Kent

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 Tonbridge nursery. This is a part time position working Monday-Friday, 10am-2pm.

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

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

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. Please note, due to our sector all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS.

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.