Nursery Chef

Kindred Nurseries; London Borough of Croydon; Hybrid; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive culture

Career development

Work-life balance

Competitive pay & benefits

Award-winning family

Job summary

Kindred Nurseries is seeking a Nursery Chef to plan and cook nutritious meals for young children in a Croydon-based nursery. You will ensure dietary needs are met and meals are prepared safely in a clean kitchen.

Join a caring team focused on health, wellbeing and development, with a supportive culture and opportunities for training and progression.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook nutritious meals in line with Kindred menus and guidance.
• Cater for dietary requirements and allergies with safe alternatives.
• Maintain a clean, safe kitchen following hygiene standards.
• Complete daily cleaning schedules and keep kitchen records.
• Serve meals in line with nursery routines.
• Assist with laundry duties when needed.
• Monitor supplies and report or reorder as required.
• Identify hazards and maintain a safe working environment.
• Follow safeguarding policies at all times.
• Create positive, homely mealtime experiences for children.
• Build relationships with children, families and colleagues.
• Participate in staff meetings and nursery events.

Skills

Strong communication

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Friendly demeanor

Food safety knowledge

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate

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

• 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

At Kindred, we’re more than a nursery group – we’re a family.

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.

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.