Nursery Cook

Tops Day Nurseries Ltd.; Trowbridge; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 60% childcare discount

Blue Light Card & Each Person platform

Health & wellbeing support

Generous holiday allowance including a

Job summary

Tops Day Nurseries Ltd. is hiring a Nursery Cook at our new Tops Trowbridge Nursery in Wiltshire, UK. The role focuses on preparing nutritious meals for children, following company recipes, and maintaining food budgets.

The successful candidate will have a Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2+), knowledge of allergen management, and a passion for healthy, child-friendly meals. 40 hours per week, £13.21 per hour.

Qualifications

• Experience as a cook, preferably in a nursery, school, or similar setting.
• Good understanding of nutrition and dietary needs for young children.
• Strong organisational and time management skills to ensure meals are prepared and served on time.
• Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or higher).
• Knowledge of food safety regulations, including allergy management.
• Passion for preparing healthy, child-friendly meals.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a team and understand others' needs.
• Cookery knowledge and experience.
• Follow Tops systems including recipes, allergens, and label procedures.
• Maintain Health & Hygiene qualifications.
• Stay up to date with food trends and new methods.
• Assist in achieving food budgets.
• Ensure the kitchen meets the required 5* environmental health certificate.
• Monitor stock levels and stock rotation.

Skills

Food hygiene certificate (Level 2+)

Nutrition knowledge

Time management

Teamwork

Food preparation

Job description

Nursery Cook

Location:Trowbridge, Wiltshire, United KingdomWiltshire

Job type: Full TimePermanent

Salary:£13.21 Hour
Contracted Hours:40 hours per week

Why Join Tops Day Nurseries?

At Tops Day Nurseries, we believe great childcare starts with great people. Since 1990, we have been creating inspiring early years environments where children thrive and colleagues are valued, supported, and given room to grow. As the UK’s largest employee-owned childcare group, every team member has a voice, a stake in our success, and real opportunities to shape their future.

With more than 30 nurseries across the South of England, we offer rewarding opportunities for Apprentices, Nursery Practitioners, Nursery Managers, and Casual Staff who share our passion for outstanding early years care.

Proud winners of the 2026 King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development and recognised as a World’s Happiest Workplace 2025, we are proud to be a place where people love to work and children love to learn.

About the Role

Are you passionate about preparing nutritious meals and creating healthy eating habits for young children? We are looking for a skilled and dedicated Cook to join our team and provide wholesome meals for the children in our care.

Our cook’s help to produce high standards of meals and food following the company ethos, in line with seasonal availability, financial budgets and reducing carbon footprint/sustainable purchasing. Keen to work within a team and understand other people’s needs. Will follow all systems set by Tops including recipes, allergens, and label procedures and will assist in achieving food budgets.

About the Nursery

Tops Trowbridge Nursery is a brand-new 2026 opening and the largest nursery within Tops family, offering an exciting opportunity to join the team from the very beginning. We are looking for enthusiastic Early Years professionals who want to help shape something special and grow their career in a new setting. The nursery features a spacious, purpose-built layout with age-specific rooms, supporting children from 3 months to preschool through independent, play-based learning. With strong access to local parks and green spaces, children enjoy regular outdoor exploration, Forest School, and hands-on experiences that encourage curiosity and confidence. Our passionate team works closely with families and offers enrichment including Cooking School, Forest School, and more, creating a nurturing environment where both children and staff can

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

At Tops Day Nurseries, we believe in rewarding our team for their hard work and dedication. Here are some of the fantastic benefits you’ll enjoy as part of our family.

• Up to 60% childcare discount at Tops Day Nurseries
• Exclusive discounts & rewards via Blue Light Card and Each Person platform (gyms, cinema, shopping, travel & many more)
• Health & wellbeing support- NHS prescriptions, optical care & dental treatment
• A generous holiday allowance- including your birthday off & a wellbeing day!

As well as many more exciting benefits! You can view the full list on our page or Careers website!

What does the role involve?

• Keen to work within a team and understand other people’s needs.
• Cookery knowledge and experience
• Follow all systems set by Tops including recipes, allergens, and label procedures.
• Maintain relevant Health & Hygiene qualifications.
• Stay up to date with food trends and new methods.
• Assist in achieving food budgets.
• To ensure the kitchen meets the required 5* environmental health certificate.
• Monitor both stock levels and stock rotation.

What are we looking for?

• Previous experience as a cook, preferably in a nursery, school, or similar setting.
• A good understanding of nutrition and dietary needs for young children.
• Strong organisational and time management skills to ensure meals are prepared and served on time.
• A Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or higher).
• Knowledge of food safety regulations, including allergy management.
• A passion for preparing healthy, child-friendly meals.

Important Safeguarding Information

• Hold (or be willing to obtain) an enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service. If you don’t yet have one, you’ll need to cover the cost.
• Be eligible to work in regulated roles- not on the Children’s Barred List.
• Successfully complete background and reference checks.

At Tops Day Nurseries, we are an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.