Early Years Kitchen Assistant

Bright Horizons; Winchester; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount 40%

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave + bank holidays +

Pension

Wellbeing and virtual GP access

Career development programme access

Shift options: 12-5pm 4/5 days a week

Job summary

Bright Horizons Otterbourne Day Nursery is hiring an Early Years Kitchen Assistant to support the Chef in preparing and cooking age-appropriate meals for all children. You will help keep the kitchen clean, safe, and compliant with dietary requirements.

We welcome applicants with cooking experience, a passion for nutrition, and strong communication skills to work in a supportive team. The role includes shift options and a childcare-focused benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experience in cooking in domestic or commercial setting
• Passion for nutrition and healthy eating
• Able to manage dietary requirements including allergies
• Food safety certification required (L2+ on day 1)
• Good communication with colleagues, children and parents
• Ability to work under pressure

Responsibilities

• Assist the Chef with preparation and cooking of meals for children
• Maintain clean and safe kitchen environment
• Take responsibility for kitchen duties in Chef's absence
• Ensure all dietary requirements are clearly communicated to teams

Skills

Nutrition awareness

Communication

Pressure handling

Food safety

Teamwork

Education

Food safety certification L2+

COSHH knowledge

Tools

None

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Otterbourne Day Nursery

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.

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
• 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.

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.