Mid-day Supervisor (Lunchtime Assistant)

Cherubs Nurseries; Bingham; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Part time

Job summary

Cherubs Nurseries is seeking a Lunchtime Assistant to support meals and mealtime routines at 10am-2pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. You will assist with cooking, cleaning, and food preparation, plus kitchen hygiene and safeguarding.

Experience at Level 2/3 in Early Years is preferred; GCSEs and a Food Safety in Catering certificate are beneficial. The role may include additional nursery duties and light laundry tasks as required.

Qualifications

• Qualified to Level 2 or Level 3 in Early Years.
• Experience in early years settings is preferred.
• Food safety knowledge applicable to nursery kitchen environments.

Responsibilities

• Support kitchen duties: washing up, cleaning, food preparation.
• Assist in meal service and supervision of children during lunchtime.
• Maintain hygiene and safety standards in the kitchen and eating area.
• Support with laundry, housekeeping and nap times when needed.
• Follow Cherubs Nurseries policies and safeguarding procedures.

Skills

Early years knowledge

Food safety awareness

Team support

Education

Level 2 Early Years Educator

Level 3 Early Years Educator

GCSE equivalent

Tools

Food Safety in Catering Certificate

Job description

Hours: 20 hours per week, 10am-2pm (Monday - Friday)

Location: Dependant on business needs

Reports To: Nursery Manager

As a Lunchtime Assistant, you will ideally be qualified to Level 2 or Level 3 in Early Years and will apply your existing early years knowledge to support the nursery at a busy time of the day. As a Lunchtime Assistant, you will support all kitchen‑related duties including washing up, cleaning and food preparation, cooking and record keeping, as well as assisting the rooms to provide an educational and social eating experience. At busier periods you may be required to support with the laundry, housekeeping duties and children’s sleep times.

An understanding of food safety and what this means in the workplace is essential. Experience of cooking for babies and young children would be advantageous but is not essential. You will be required to work 10am - 2pm, Monday - Friday, all year round.

Due to the changing nature of the service we provide, this job description will not be an exhaustive list of all your duties. Cherubs Nurseries reserves the right to amend this job description should it be deemed necessary. You have a personal and professional responsibility to inform us immediately of any change in your circumstances that might affect your suitability to work with children.

Description Of Duties

Deliver: Deliver an amazing service, for both our children and families

• Support in the preparation of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks, from approved Cherubs Nurseries menus.
• Take an active role championing cooking and baking across all areas of the nursery, this could include baking with children and preparing additional food for nursery events including Parent’s Evening and Summer Fair.
• Remove kitchen waste regularly (appropriately and hygienically) disposing of in the correct bins.
• Assist in ensuring all meals are ready at the correct times making sure company and setting deadlines and guidelines are met
• Ensure the children’s environment and your nursery is kept safe, secure and clean at all times ensuring safeguarding policies are adhered to.
• Be a role model for the children at all times, whilst demonstrating best practice to your colleagues.
• Ensure all toys, equipment and furniture is kept clean and in good working order, sterilising toys when necessary or required by policy.
• Assist in the supervision of meal times, ensuring this remains a learning opportunity for the children where positive eating practices are learnt and developed.
• Ensure you are up to date and compliant with all Cherubs Nurseries policies and procedures.

Take Ownership: Take ownership in everything, always being honest and transparent

• Ensure correct temperature of all food, especially high-risk food before service.
• Be aware of health and safety legislation which is relevant to the nursery kitchen.
• Assist in maintaining a high standard of hygiene, cleanliness and organisation in the kitchen.
• Support in the maintenance and clean kitchen equipment such as the oven, microwave fridge and freezers.
• Identify busy periods across the different rooms and plan your support accordingly.
• Ensure all rooms have ample clean crockery, cutlery, and utensils to provide a smooth service at lunchtime.
• Ensure high levels of sanitation of mealtime areas, and support with children’s cleanliness after meals for example, changing clothes or cleaning faces.
• Ensure all children have a clearly labelled bedding bag, clean bedding and support in setting up the environment in line with Cherubs Nurseries policies and procedures.
• Cover Early Years Educators breaks where required, asking for a thorough handover prior.
• Cover the Nursery Chef when required.

Commit: Commit to continuous improvement, always strive to be and do the best

• Present yourself in a professional manner at all times, always “dressed for service”.
• Work with the Senior Early Years Educators to implement improvements to mealtime routines.
• Ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times both inside and outside of the workplace.
• Regularly review allergies and dietary sheets to ensure compliance at all times.
• Attend both in‑house and external training, as required. Some of this may be outside of working hours, for example on a weekend.
• Complete all PLA training that is relevant to your role, ensuring this is completed within 7‑days of issue.

Embrace: Embrace creativity and innovation – these are what keep our service fresh unique and inspiring

• Assist in the thorough planning and successful delivery of a variety of activities (both indoor and outdoor) to maintain the children’s interests and to ensure the development of all children in‑line with their own needs.

Build: Build a positive and progressive team environment where everyone is united and able to shine

• Ensure any information you receive is shared with the relevant people and in a timely manner.
• Establish and maintain friendly but professional relationships with all parents and staff.
• Ensure educators supervise mealtimes and wear correct PPE at all times.
• Attend all staff events including parents evening, staff meetings and summer fairs, some of these may be out of hours and on weekends.
• Undertake any other duties which may reasonably be regarded as within the nature of your duties.

Your Qualifications And Experience

• Educated to GCSE Level (or equivalent).
• Level 2 Early Years Educator qualification is desirable but not essential.
• Food Safety in Catering Certificate (Can be completed with us).
• Experience working with young children is advantageous but not essential.
• Experience of supporting catering for individuals with allergies and dietary requirements is advantageous but not essential.
• Experience of preparing food for young children is advantageous but not essential.

Disclaimer:

Cherubs Nurseries is committed to upholding a safe and compliant workforce and business. All roles require: the right to work in the United Kingdom, the completion of a “Keeping Children Safe” Form, a DBS and at least 2 satisfactory employment references. Some roles may also require a 5‑year employment history. Cherubs Nurseries is an equal opportunities employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees with disabilities and learning difficulties.

You will need to wait until your enhanced DBS has been returned and we have received 2 satisfactory references before you can start.

Please note that this role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.