Nursery Chef

Kindred Nurseries; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Kindred Nurseries in the United Kingdom is seeking a Nursery Chef to prepare healthy, freshly prepared meals for children, while maintaining a welcoming kitchen that supports learning and development.

You will follow Kindred menus, manage dietary requirements, and keep records, with opportunities for training and career development in a supportive culture.

Qualifications

• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate is required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Friendly, positive approach when working with children, families and colleagues.
• Understanding of food safety, health and safeguarding responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook nutritious meals in line with Kindred menus.
• Cater for dietary requirements and allergies safely.
• Maintain a clean, safe kitchen following hygiene standards.
• Complete daily cleaning schedules and kitchen records.
• Serve meals in nursery routines.
• Support laundry duties as needed.
• Monitor supplies and arrange replacements when required.
• Follow Health and Safety policies at all times.
• Create homely mealtime experiences for children.
• Build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.
• Participate in staff meetings and nursery events.

Skills

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Friendly approach with children

Food safety knowledge

Job description

Join the Kindred Family – A Place to Grow, Thrive and Make a Difference
At Kindred, we’re passionate about giving children the very best start in life while creating a workplace where our people feel valued, supported and inspired.
Are you passionate about food, nutrition and creating warm, homely mealtime experiences for young children? Join Kindred as a Nursery Chef and play a key role in supporting children’s health, wellbeing and development through nutritious, freshly prepared meals.
Want to know what it’s really like to work at Kindred?
Visit our Why Work With Us page to explore our benefits, career development opportunities and discover why so many of our colleagues choose to grow their careers with us.
What You’ll Be Doing
As our Nursery Chef, you’ll create healthy, nutritious meals while maintaining a safe, welcoming kitchen environment. Your role will make a real difference to children’s daily experiences by providing enjoyable mealtimes that support their learning and development.
You will:

• Prepare and cook nutritious meals in line with Kindred menus and Safer Food Better Business guidance.

• Ensure all children’s dietary requirements and allergies are catered for safely, providing suitable alternatives where required.

• Maintain a clean, safe and organised kitchen, following food hygiene and health & safety standards.

• Complete daily cleaning schedules and maintain accurate kitchen records.

• Serve meals in line with nursery routines.

• Manage laundry duties where required.

• Monitor food, kitchen and cleaning supplies, reporting or ordering replacements as needed.

• Use appropriate signage to identify potential hazards and maintain a safe working environment

• Follow Kindred’s Health & Safety policies, procedures and safeguarding requirements at all times.

• Create positive, homely mealtime experiences for children.

• Build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.

• Participate in staff meetings, training and nursery events.

• What You’ll Need

• Essential:

• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

• A friendly, positive approach when working with children, families and colleagues.

• A good understanding of food safety, health & safety and safeguarding responsibilities.

• Desirable

• Previous experience working as a Nursery Chef or within an early years or childcare setting.

• Knowledge of Safer Food Better Business and COSHH guidance

• Why You’ll Love Working at Kindred

• Supportive Culture: Built on strong relationships, teamwork and a genuine sense of belonging.

• Career Development: Access to ongoing training, learning opportunities and career progression.

• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy structured working hours and a supportive working environment.

• Competitive Pay & Benefits: Competitive salaries, regularly benchmarked, alongside a generous benefits package.

• Award-Winning Family: Join a company that values recognition, personal growth and team success.

• More than 9 out of 10 of our colleagues would recommend Kindred as a great place to work.

• What Happens Next?

• Initial video interview.

• Face-to-face interview at the nursery.

• Safer recruitment checks, including references, an enhanced DBS check and qualification verification.

• Our Commitment to Safeguarding

• Kindred is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All successful applicants will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, references and qualification verification, in line with our safeguarding policy.