Nursery Cook / Chef

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

Job summary

An established industry player in childcare is seeking a passionate Cook/Chef to join their team. This full-time role offers the chance to create healthy, nutritious meals for children while working in a supportive environment. With a commitment to employee ownership, the company provides numerous benefits, including generous leave, well-being support, and professional development opportunities. If you're dedicated to making a positive impact on children's lives and thrive in a team-oriented setting, this is the perfect opportunity for you to shine and grow in your career.

Benefits

75% discount for parents

40% discount for grandparents

Generous annual leave

Tax-free Partnership dividends

Long-service bonuses

Retail discounts

Free meals in nursery

Mental Health First Aiders

Professional development support

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in preparing healthy meals for children under five.
• Knowledge of environmental health legislation and COSHH.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook a variety of meals using fresh ingredients.
• Maintain a 5-star kitchen rating and manage budget effectively.

Skills

Catering Experience

Attention to Detail

Knowledge of COSHH

Teamwork

Healthy Meal Preparation

Education

Relevant Catering Qualifications

Job description

Join Childbase Partnership and be part of something extraordinary.

At Childbase Partnership we have been delivering childcare excellence since 1989. Our mission is to give children the best possible start in life and instil a lifelong passion for learning. Across all 44-day nurseries, Head Office, and our Training Academy of Excellence, our dedicated colleagues work together to create a lasting, positive impact in our local communities.

We are determined to be excellent and constantly strive for the best outcomes, not only for the children in our care but for every colleague too.

What makes us special?

• We are 100% employee-owned– which means we are all partners, we all have a meaningful voice, and we own our future (this includes sharing profits too, tax-free).
• Sector leading initiative: “Partnership Reward Days”– going the extra mile to promote a healthy work/life balance for you with up to an extra 20 days paid leave a year, meaning up to a phenomenal 50 days leave, with the option to sell a proportion if you would prefer; the choice is yours!
• ‘Number 1’ - we have earned the top spot in the prestigious Nursery World league tables for our Ofsted outcomes, all thanks to our extraordinary colleagues.
• Record-breaking Green Flag achievements, and climate-positive status- we save more CO2 than we create (take that, climate change!).
• Planting in excess of 2,000 trees in the Eden Restoration project- because the planet needs a hug too.
• Over £3.5 million raised for charity– we’re basically fundraising superheroes (without the capes).

At Childbase Partnership, our ethos is simple; we all belong, we all matter, and we all contribute so we all benefit. Our core values foster happiness, confidence, and growth, with a ‘careers not jobs’ approach, shaping the future of our extraordinary company together.

Own your future and join us as a Cook / Chef at our 174 place Hertford Barns Day Nursery in Cole Green, Hertford.

This role is full-time (37.5 hours a week) and you will work a variety of shifts between the hours of 08:30-17:30, Monday-Friday, 52 weeks of the year.

Join us and benefit from:

• From day 1: 75% discount for parents and 40% discount for grandparents at any Childbase nursery.
• Generous leave entitlement: Starting with 23 days annual leave rising to 28 days (pro-rata), plus paid bank holidays and up to 20 additional paid days off through our Partnership Reward Days initiative.
• Exclusive rewards: Tax-free Partnership dividends, qualification reward payments, long-service bonuses, retail discounts, family fun days with free tickets to UK attractions and cycle-to-work scheme.
• Well-being support: Mental Health First Aiders, two free meals a day in the nursery, subsidised medical care, flu jabs, eye care vouchers, occupational health support, and a free will-writing service.
• Growth opportunities: Team inset training days, professional development support, online courses, and apprenticeships through our Training Academy of Excellence.

Your knowledge, skills and character qualities make you the perfect Cook / Chef. You are:

• Passionate about preparing wholesome, healthy meals for children under five; your professional catering experience enables you to prepare and cook a range of foods from a set-menu, using fresh ingredients, providing suitable alternatives for those with allergies and dietary requirements.
• Naturally diligent with excellent attention to detail; your knowledge of COSHH and environmental health legislation ensures your kitchen maintains a 5-star rating and your experience of managing a budget contributes towards the profitability of the nursery.
• An advocate for partnership working; you thrive as part of a team environment, are a positive role model and you will nurture your Kitchen Assistant, and you enjoy building meaningful and respectful relationships with colleagues, children and parents to promote healthy eating choices.

Are you ready to contribute to something quite extraordinary?

To apply, you must currently reside in the UK and hold suitable Right To Work in the UK. We are sorry, VISA sponsorship is not available at present. Before commencing in your new role, you will be required to provide Right To Work documentation and any relevant qualifications. An enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references must also be obtained for you. Rest assured our Recruitment Team are on hand to support and guide you through every step of the process.

• Salary: £24,316.50 - £29,971.50 per annum
• Frequency: Annual
• Job Reference: HertfordBarns-Cook-37.5
• Contract Type: Full time, permanent
• Closing Date: No Expiry Date
• Job Category: Kitchen/Domestic
• Business Unit: Hertford Barns
• Location: Cole Green, Hertford, United Kingdom