Nursery Chef

Kids Planet Day Nurseries; Croydon; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A family-run nursery care provider in Croydon is seeking a Nursery Chef to prepare healthy meals for children in a supportive environment. Enjoy a Monday to Friday schedule with no weekends and bank holidays. Ideal candidates will have catering experience and a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate. Join an award-winning team that values commitment and offers various perks including enhanced leave and a competitive salary.

Benefits

Free breakfast, lunch, and healthy snacks

Accredited training

Enhanced family-related leave

Wellbeing goodies and fun events

Long service awards

Birthday day off

Competitive salary and pension plan

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a catering position, particularly in childcare is preferred.
• Understanding of dietary needs and allergies.
• Basic food hygiene knowledge is essential.

Responsibilities

• Prepare healthy and nutritious meals for children.
• Maintain a clean and compliant kitchen.
• Engage with children during food-related activities.

Skills

Catering experience

Knowledge of food preparation for special dietary needs

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Overview

What if your next job meant more than just work, what if it meant shaping futures, every day?

Kids Planet is a proud family-run business, we do things with heart and we’re passionate about giving every child the best possible start. No two settings are the same, but all of them are built around our shared values: care, curiosity, and a genuine love for early years.

Join Kids Planet Old Stables as a Chef! This role is based on 35 hours per week.

Being a Nursery Chef at Kids Planet gives you the opportunity to work Monday to Friday, NO WEEKENDS or BANK HOLIDAYS and allows you to be inventive creating menus and giving our children access to delicious tasting meals.

We’re now looking for a Chef to join our team, someone who’s ready to get stuck in, spark imaginations, and help children thrive.

We’re unable to offer any kind of visa sponsorship for this role.

Kids Planet is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children and young people. An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role. We expect all staff and volunteers to uphold this commitment, and safeguarding training is a fundamental part of every role. A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate is mandatory for all positions, and this role will be subject to enhanced checks as part of our safeguarding duties.

Why Kids Planet Old Stables?

Great Place to Work Certified 2025/26

Ranked #1 UK Best Workplaces for Women 2025

80% Childcare Discount – T&Cs apply

What we offer our Chefs

• Free breakfast, lunch, and healthy snacks to fuel your day!
• Accredited training through our awesome KP Academy and bespoke training platform.
• Enhanced leave for maternity, paternity, fertility, and adoption because family matters.
• Wellbeing goodies, staff rewards, and fun events all year round.
• Long service awards to celebrate your commitment.
• Take the day off on your birthday, it’s all about you!
• Competitive salary, pension plan and enhanced holiday allowance.
• Friendly central support team always on hand to help.

How you’ll make a difference as a Chef

• By preparing healthy, nutritious meals, accommodating allergies and special dietary requirements for all children.
• Through maintaining a clean and tidy kitchen, ensuring compliance with environmental health standards.
• By collaborating with children and the nursery team in snack-making and baking activities.

What a Nursery Chef needs

• Catering experience, preferably in a similar environment.
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Knowledge of food preparation for special dietary needs.

Sound like the place for you?

Apply today to join Kids Planet Old Stables