Nursery Chef

Kids Planet Day Nurseries; England; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A family-run nursery business in England is seeking a Chef to prepare healthy meals and collaborate with children in cooking activities. This role offers a 35-hour week with no weekends, competitive salary, and benefits including free meals and enhanced leave. Ideal candidates will have catering experience and a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate. Join a team focused on creating a supportive, inclusive culture.

Benefits

Free breakfast, lunch, and snacks

Accredited training

Enhanced leave for family matters

Wellbeing goodies

Long service awards

Birthday day off

Competitive salary and pension plan

Qualifications

• Must have catering experience, ideally working with children.
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate required.
• Knowledge of preparing food for allergies and dietary needs.

Responsibilities

• Prepare healthy meals for children, considering dietary restrictions.
• Maintain cleanliness and compliance in the kitchen.
• Collaborate with children in cooking activities.

Skills

Catering experience, preferably in a similar environment

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Knowledge of food preparation for special dietary needs

Job description

Overview

What if your next job meant more than just work, 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 are built around our shared values: care, curiosity, and a genuine love for early years.

Join Kids Planet Woolston as a Chef. This role is based on 35 hours per week. You’ll work Monday to Friday, with NO WEEKENDS or BANK HOLIDAYS, and you’ll be free to be inventive creating menus and giving 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.

Why Kids Planet Woolston?

• Highly qualified and long-standing team
• Good connections with the local community
• Great Place to Work Certified 2025/26
• Ranked #1 UK Best Workplaces for Women 2025
• Big News! 80% Childcare Discount Arrives This October – T&Cs apply

What we offer our Chefs

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

How you’ll make a difference as a Chef

• By preparing healthy, nutritious meals, accommodating allergies and special dietary requirements for all children
• By 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 Woolston

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

We embrace everyone. Our goal is to create a truly inclusive culture and diverse workforce. We break down barriers so you can be your authentic self—and flourish!

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. All colleagues are required to complete regular training to ensure they understand and fulfil their responsibilities. 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.