Early Years Kitchen Assistant

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool; Witney; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

40% childcare discount

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave

Pension

Wellbeing benefits and GP access

Career development programmes

T&Cs apply

Job summary

Bright Horizons Witney Day Nursery is seeking an Early Years Kitchen Assistant in Witney to support the Chef in preparing and cooking meals for all children, ensuring minimal waste, and maintaining a clean, safe kitchen environment.

The role requires cooking experience, a passion for nutrition, strong communication with staff, children and parents, and solid knowledge of dietary requirements. Food Safety Level 2 (or equivalent) must be achieved on day one, with COSHH awareness encouraged.

Qualifications

• Experience in cooking roles in domestic or commercial settings.
• Passion for nutrition and promoting healthy eating.
• Knowledge of managing dietary requirements and food allergies.
• Food Safety Level 2 (or equivalent) must be achieved on day 1.
• COSHH knowledge.
• Strong communication with colleagues, children and parents.
• Ability to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Support the Chef in preparing and cooking age-appropriate meals for all children with minimal waste.
• In the Chef's absence, run the kitchen and ensure dietary needs are communicated to teams.
• Keep kitchen clean and safe.

Skills

Cooking experience

Nutrition passion

Dietary requirements knowledge

Food Safety Level 2

COSHH knowledge

Communication skills

Work under pressure

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Witney Day Nursery

Salary – £13.45 per hour (dependent on qualification/s and experience)

Hours – 09:00-2:30pm, Mon-Fri

Location – Witney, Oxfordshire

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 Witney Day 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
• 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 equivalnet) – 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.

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

We look forward to receiving your application!