Field Chef

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool; Wilmington; On-site; GBP 20,664 - 26,174; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount 50%

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave (+ bank holidays)

Paid Christmas closure

Pension

Wellbeing benefits including 24/7 GP

Careers coach access

Shift options: 40h/4-5d, 24h/3d, 16h/2

Subject to Terms & Conditions

Job summary

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool is recruiting an Early Years Field Chef to travel across Kent nurseries, covering shifts when colleagues are away. You will prepare and present nutritious meals, accommodate dietary needs, and collaborate with nursery teams to support care and education through food.

Role requires commercial catering experience, strong nutrition focus, and ability to work across multiple sites with own transport. DBS checks apply and full driving license is preferred.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a commercial catering role.
• Passion for nutrition and promoting healthy eating.
• Ability to manage dietary requirements, including allergies.
• Food Safety (CIEH Level 2 or above) demonstrated on day 1.
• COSHH knowledge and safe kitchen practices.
• Excellent communication with colleagues, children and parents.
• Willingness to travel across multiple sites with own transport and a clean driving license.

Responsibilities

• Travel to nurseries in the Kent region to provide cover when the permanent chef is away or during sickness/absence.
• Prepare, cook and present age-appropriate meals with minimal wastage.
• Ensure dietary requirements are catered for and communicated to nursery teams.
• Maintain accurate kitchen records and keep a clean, safe working environment.
• Support nursery management with food ordering and stock management.

Skills

Commercial catering

Nutrition

Dietary requirements

Food safety

COSHH

Communication

Multi-site work

Driving license

Education

Food Safety CIEH Level 2+

Job description

Nursery – Field based across Kent

Salary

£15 - £19 per hour (dependant on qualification/s and experience)

Hours

Part time 30- 35 hour a week working 5 days

Location

Kent locations

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 Field Chef to join our team, to provide cover across our nurseries within the Bromley, Bexleyheath, Bickley, Canterbury, Orpington, Dartford, West Malling and Maidstone areas.

Our Benefits

• Childcare discount of 50% 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: 40 hours over 4 or 5 days, 24 hours over 3 days, or 16 hours over 2 days
• Subject to T&Cs

The Role

As an Early Years Field Chef, you will travel to nurseries within a region where cover is needed, when the permanent Chef is on annual leave, or at times of sickness or absence.

You will prepare, cook, and present age-appropriate food for all the children in the nursery, with minimum wastage. You will ensure all dietary requirements are catered for and clearly communicated to teams and will work in partnership with the nursery teams to support the nursery care and education provision. You will also keep accurate kitchen records, maintain a clean and safe work environment, and support nursery management with food ordering.

What We’re Looking For

• Previous experience within a commercial catering role
• 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
• Ability and willingness to work across multiple sites, with access to own transport, and clean driving license

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.