Kitchen Assistant

Acorn Early Years Foundation; Bedford; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 24,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

65% childcare discount

25 days annual leave

Enhanced pension scheme

Employee assistance well-being programme

Job summary

Acorn Early Years Foundation in Bedford is seeking a qualified Kitchen Assistant for Sharnbrook Nursery. This role involves supporting the preparation of healthy meals, ensuring high standards of food hygiene, and working closely with nursery staff to promote wellbeing.

Ideal candidates will be flexible, reliable, and possess a good understanding of food safety. Join a nurturing environment where staff and children can thrive, with benefits including a generous childcare discount and 25 days of annual leave.

Qualifications

• Flexible and reliable team player.
• Good understanding of food hygiene and kitchen safety.
• Ability to work within a busy childcare environment.

Responsibilities

• Support preparation and cooking of age-appropriate food.
• Ensure dietary requirements are communicated.
• Maintain cleanliness and food hygiene.

Skills

Food hygiene understanding

Kitchen safety

Team player

Effective communication

Confidentiality

Job description

Kitchen Assistant

Acorn Early Years – Sharnbrook Nursery
Hours: 12:00-17:00- 25 per week

Acorn Early Years is looking for a reliable and enthusiastic Kitchen Assistant to join our welcoming team at Sharnbrook Nursery. This is a vital role supporting the preparation of nutritious, age‑appropriate meals and maintaining a clean, safe and positive kitchen environment for our children.

Located within the picturesque grounds of Colworth Science Park in Sharnbrook, our nursery has ample space for children to explore, discover and investigate their local surroundings, which lends itself to providing opportunities such as tree climbing and large open spaces for the children to explore. The play space within the nursery offers a light, large area with a wide range of natural resources to allow children to learn through first hand experiences. Children have opportunity to free flow between the inside and outside throughout the day, with a variety of activities and resources available to extend individual children’s learning.

We strive to make our nursery a place where positive and close relationships with children and parents are welcomed and valued. We believe it is important to create a home from home experience where children feel happy, safe and secure, and as a result, thrive within our nursery. Aimee and her team work closely with parents and carers to develop children’s interests and skills, ensuring each of them reaches their full potential. A variety of imaginative and creative play activities, including forest schools, will ensure children have plenty of opportunities to play and learn in a warm and happy environment.

The nursery has also achieved their Eco‑Schools Green Flag award which is an international accreditationthat recognises young people's environmental actions! Alongside this, Sharnbrook was awarded an additional Eco‑Schools award as 'Water School of the Year'. Click here to watch their mention in the Eco‑Schools Award Ceremony (video section: 22:08 – 23:33).

About the Role

Working closely with the Nursery Cook and Nursery Manager, you will support the preparation and serving of healthy meals and snacks, ensuring all dietary requirements are met. You will help maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and safety, while working collaboratively with the wider nursery team to promote healthy eating and wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the preparation and cooking of age‑appropriate food for all children
• Ensure all dietary requirements are catered for and clearly communicated to staff
• Assist in preparing sufficient food daily while minimising waste
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and food hygiene in the kitchen and eating areas
• Complete all relevant food safety and hygiene paperwork accurately
• Monitor kitchen supplies and inform relevant staff when stock is running low
• Support the Nursery Cook with budget awareness and stock control
• Take responsibility for the kitchen in the absence of the Nursery Cook, when required
• Work in partnership with nursery staff and parents to promote healthy, nutritious diets
• Ensure compliance with Acorn policies, health & safety, fire safety and safeguarding procedures
• Safeguard all children and understand the role you play in keeping everyone safe

What We’re Looking For

• A flexible and reliable team player
• A good understanding of food hygiene and kitchen safety (training supported)
• Ability to work within a busy childcare environment
• A positive, professional approach and willingness to support the wider nursery team
• Confidence to communicate effectively with colleagues
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times

Why Join Acorn Early Years?

At Acorn, we are passionate about creating inclusive, welcoming environments where children and staff thrive. We value every team member and encourage ongoing professional development.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered throughout the recruitment process.

Safeguarding & Compliance

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, be able to provide two satisfactory references, and all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Benefits

As a thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to making Acorn a safe, nurturing and fun place for our children to be, we offer:

• Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually
• 65% childcare discount – Pro rata according to contracted hours
• Generous family leave
• Christmas closure
• 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more)
• 4 dedicated training days and individual development plans
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Cycle scheme
• Tech scheme
• Length of Service awardsSummer and Christmas parties
• Pay advances
• Employee assistance well‑being programme