Nursery Chef - Field Based

Grandir UK Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 26,437 - 30,701; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave including bank holidays

Flexible working options available

Company pension scheme

Life assurance for employees

Employee benefits portal with discounts

Job summary

Grandir UK Limited is seeking a Support Nursery Chef for its nurseries in Surbiton, Wimbledon, and Raynes Park. This full-time position will involve preparing and guiding catering staff, ensuring the highest standards of practice, and contributing to a supportive child-focused environment.

Offering a salary of £26,437- £30,701 based on experience and qualifications, this role also includes extensive benefits such as flexible working options and generous leave provisions.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering, preferably in a nursery or child-focused environment.
• Ability to manage kitchen paperwork and maintain catering standards.
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly menus and gain feedback from the team.
• Support and guide catering staff and the Nursery Manager.
• Monitor catering standards to ensure high quality.

Skills

Catering management

Team leadership

Menu planning

Education

Relevant culinary qualifications

Job description

Dicky Birds, Surbiton, Wimbledon and Raynes Park

Part of Grandir UK

Salary £26,437- £30,701 (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 Dicky Birds Nurseries, inclusive of two ‘Outstanding’ rated nurseries are looking for a caring and enthusiastic Support Nursery Chef to join our team. You will play a key role in caring for, supporting and inspiring our children, encouraging curiosity and helping them thrive every day.

This role will be to support with our Dicky Birds nurseries, located in Surbiton, Wimbledon and Raynes park; 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday.

Why You’ll Love Working at Dicky Birds Nurseries

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
• £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

Our Team & Parent Partnerships

Our dedicated team combines experience with fresh ideas, supported by ongoing training. We build strong relationships with families through events, stay‑and‑play sessions, a lending library, home activity packs, and regular updates via the Famly app.

Facilities

Age‑specific rooms (baby, toddler, preschool) provide safe, nurturing spaces that support development, independence, and school readiness, alongside a garden for outdoor play and social skill building.

Activities

A wide range of engaging activities—including Forest School, Make and Bake, and PE—help develop life skills, coordination, and teamwork.

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

Enhanced Family and Wellbeing 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.

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.

Apply today. We review applications as they are received and may close the role early.