Nursery Cook / Chef

Childbase Partnership; Chobham; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A childcare services provider in Chobham is seeking a passionate Nursery Cook to prepare healthy meals for up to 116 children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. You will ensure the highest hygiene standards and cater to dietary needs while managing a kitchen budget. This permanent role offers 37.5 hours per week with a competitive salary range of £24,316.50 to £29,971.50 annually, alongside generous leave and benefits, including childcare discounts and wellbeing support.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Work-life balance initiatives

Childcare discount

Wellbeing support

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in catering for children with specific dietary requirements.
• Knowledge of food safety standards and environmental health legislation.
• Ability to manage a kitchen budget and lead a Kitchen Assistant.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook a range of healthy meals for children.
• Ensure 5-star hygiene standards in the kitchen.
• Promote healthy eating among children.

Skills

Professional catering experience

Attention to detail

Knowledge of COSHH and allergens

Food Hygiene training

Collaborative teamwork

Job description

Job Introduction

Join Childbase Partnership and be part of something extraordinary.

Role

Nursery Cook | Catering for up to 116 children aged 6 weeks-5 years old.

Location

Pennypot Day Nursery | Chobham, Woking | GU24 8DH.

Contract

Permanent | 37.5 hours / week | 52 weeks / year.

Working Pattern

Monday-Friday 09:00-17:30pm or 09:30am-18:00pm

Salary

£24,316.50-£29,971.50 per annum (pro‑tra) | £12.47-£15.37 per hour.

We’ve been delivering childcare excellence since 1989. Within our 43‑day nurseries, Head Office, and Training Academy, EduBase, our ethos is simple: we all belong, we all matter, and we all contribute. We believe in ‘careers, not jobs’, supporting one another to grow and succeed.

Why join us?

• Generous annual leave: 23 days paid leave per annum (pro‑tra), rising to 28 days with length of service, plus paid bank holidays.
• Work‑life balance: Up to a further 20 paid days off each year through our Partnership Reward Days incentive; take your leave or sell the days you accrue, tax‑free.
• Childcare discount: 75% discount (or 40% grandparent discount) on your fees at any Childbase nursery, from day one.
• Exclusive partner benefits: Long‑service rewards, qualification bonuses and retail discounts.
• Wellbeing support: Free meals, mental health and occupational health support, flu jabs, eye care vouchers and a free will‑writing service.
• Career development: Team inset days, access to online training and apprenticeships through our academy.

About us

• We are employee‑owned: Every colleague is a partner with a voice, who helps drive our success; when we do well, we each receive an annual tax‑free dividend.
• We are number 1: Ranked top of the Nursery World league tables for our Ofsted outcomes.
• We are community driven: Supporting causes close to our hearts, we’ve raised more than £3.5 million for charity.
• We are environmentally responsible: Building a greener tomorrow, our nurseries all hold Green Flag awards and are powered by 100% renewable energy.

About you

• You are passionate about preparing wholesome, healthy meals: You have professional catering experience and can prepare and cook a range of foods from a set‑menu, using fresh ingredients, providing suitable alternatives for children with allergies and dietary requirements.
• You are diligent: Your attention to detail, knowledge of COSHH, allergens, manual handling and environmental health legislation, alongside your Food Hygiene training, will ensure you and your co‑Cook and your Kitchen Assistant maintain 5‑star hygiene standards within the kitchen.
• You are an advocate for safeguarding: You will ensure the well‑being and dietary needs of every child are met and their understanding of healthy eating is promoted.
• You are collaborative: In partnership with the Nursery Manager and your co‑Cook, you will contribute towards the profitability of the nursery by managing the kitchen budget, building respectful relationships with colleagues, children and parents and effectively lead and mentor your Kitchen Assistant.

We are an inclusive employer and we welcome applicants of all ages and backgrounds. We’re committed to FREDIE (fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion, and engagement) and will consider any reasonable adjustments required.

If you meet the essential criteria for this role, your application will be automatically shortlisted for review by our Recruitment Team who will determine if an interview is the next step.

Applicants must currently reside within a commutable distance of the nursery and hold suitable Right to Work in the UK; VISA sponsorship is not available. Safer recruitment checks apply, which include an Enhanced DBS check.

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