Nursery Chef

Grandir UK Limited; Bushey; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Bank holidays included

Christmas shutdown

Flexible working options

Childcare discount

Refer a friend bonus

Company pension scheme

Sick pay from day 1

Life assurance

Great Place to Work accreditation

Job summary

First Place Nursery Bushey, part of Grandir UK Limited, is seeking a caring and enthusiastic Nursery Chef to cook up meals for children daily. Salary is £12.71–£14.76 per hour, with regular pay reviews based on experience and qualifications.

Joining our supportive team offers flexible working and genuine career progression within a trusted early years curriculum, backed by strong group processes and substantial staff benefits.

Responsibilities

• Prepare 6 monthly menus gaining feedback from catering staff, Managers and Regional Manager’s to produce final product
• Support and guide catering staff and Nursery Manager
• Monitor catering standards to maintain the highest levels of practice
• Assist and support the Nursery Manager in the recruitment and selection of catering staff
• Audit kitchens in a timely fashion, ensuring they meet TCC and PSN
• Check that all kitchen paperwork is fully complete, accurate and up to date
• Establish and maintain professional working relationships with Nursery staff

Job description

Nursery Chef

First Place Nursery Bushey – Part of Grandir UK

Salary – £12.71 – £14.76 per hour (depending on experience and qualifications with regular pay reviews)

Join a supportive, child focused nursery offering strong benefits, flexible working and genuine career progression.

Our First Place Nursery in Bushey is looking for a caring and enthusiastic Nursery Chef to join our team. You will play a key role in cooking up a storm for our children every day with a range of different meals and snacks.

Why You’ll Love Working at First Place

At First Place you will be part of a welcoming and supportive team who genuinely care about one another. We create a positive working environment where everyone feels valued, respected and supported to grow.

Core Benefits

• 33 days annual leave including bank holidays, with 3 days used during the Christmas shutdown period
• Christmas and New Year shutdown
• Flexible working options available
• Big childcare discount
• £500 refer a friend bonus
• Company pension scheme with employer contributions
• Statutory Sick Pay from day 1
• Life assurance for employees aged 18 to 65
• Certified Great Place to Work, voted for by our current colleagues

About Our Nursery

First Place Nursery Bushey offers a warm, home-from-home environment where children feel safe, valued, and confident, combined with the strength and expertise of Grandir UK’s established early years curriculum. As part of a trusted group with over 25 years of experience, our nursery delivers high-quality learning while still maintaining a personal, community-focused feel. Children benefit from age-specific rooms and tailored care for each stage of development, alongside a strong focus on nutrition and overall wellbeing through balanced, healthy meals. Our nursery also has a strong reputation with both Ofsted and parents, reflecting its commitment to high standards. Importantly, while supported by robust group processes, the setting retains flexibility, allowing practitioners to adapt activities and experiences to suit the needs and preferences of the children, creating a balance between structure and individuality.

Location and Travel

First Place Nursery Bushey is conveniently located in Bushey, with excellent transport links making it easily accessible for local families and commuters. The nursery benefits from close proximity to major road networks including the M1 and A41, as well as nearby train stations such as Bushey Station, which provides direct routes into London Euston. There are also good local bus routes serving the area, making drop-offs and pick-ups straightforward for parents travelling from surrounding areas. This well-connected location makes our nursery an ideal choice for families living or working in Bushey and the wider Hertfordshire and North London areas.

What will you be doing

• Prepare 6 monthly menus gaining feedback from catering staff, Managers and Regional Manager’s to produce final product
• Support and guide catering staff and Nursery Manager
• Monitor catering standards to maintain the highest levels of practice
• Assist and support the Nursery Manager in the recruitment and selection of catering staff
• Audit kitchens in a timely fashion, ensuring they meet TCC and PSN
• Check that all kitchen paperwork is fully complete, accurate and up to date
• Establish and maintain professional working relationships with Nursery staff

More Benefits

• Maternity and adoption leave paid at 100 percent for the first 12 weeks
• Paternity leave paid at 100 percent for 4 weeks
• Parental bereavement leave up to 4 weeks paid
• Compassionate leave up to 2 weeks paid
• Miscarriage leave up to 2 weeks paid
• Wellbeing Day, an extra day off just for you
• The Grand Event, up to an additional week of annual leave to attend a significant life event after 2 years’ service

Even More Benefits

• Employee benefits portal with hundreds of retail discounts including ASOS, gym memberships, cinema, M and S and major supermarkets
• 24 hour remote GP appointments
• Medical cashback for dental treatment, physiotherapy and alternative therapies
• Recognition, rewards and team celebrations throughout the year, with May dedicated to celebrating our teams
• Tailored in house training and genuine progression opportunities
• Sustainability focus with Carbon Literacy trained teams and Eco Schools accreditation

Grandir UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. An enhanced DBS check is required for this role and will be carried out by our approved third party provider.

We are an equal opportunity employer and recruit based on merit. To support our recruitment process, we may use AI-assisted tools for tasks such as application screening and reference checks. These tools help us manage applications efficiently, and all hiring decisions are made by our team.