Nursery Cook – Flexible Working Pattern

Nest Nurseries; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 18,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Paid training

Holiday pay

Company pension

Friendly team

Regular socials

Job summary

Nest Nurseries is seeking a Nursery Cook to cover holidays and sickness across our three London sites: Royal Wharf (E16), Marco Polo in the Royal Docks, and Embassy Gardens (SW11). The role offers around 15 weeks of work per year with flexible daytime hours.

You’ll cook fresh meals to a seasonal menu, manage allergies safely, keep records, handle stock and deliveries, and collaborate with the nursery team, including assisting children with simple baking sessions.

Qualifications

• Experience cooking in nurseries, schools, care homes or other professional kitchens.
• Confidence managing allergens and special diets.
• Reliability and flexibility, including travelling between E16 and SW11 nurseries.
• Enhanced DBS check will be arranged and kept on DBS Update Service.

Responsibilities

• Cook fresh breakfasts, lunches, teas and snacks from our seasonal menu, which changes each term and rotates on a four-week cycle.
• Cater safely for allergies and dietary needs in our nut-free kitchens.
• Keep the kitchen clean, organised and compliant with food safety standards, including temperature and cleaning records.
• Manage stock and deliveries while you're on shift.
• Work closely with the nursery team, and occasionally help children with simple baking sessions.

Skills

Nursery kitchen experience

Allergen management

Reliable & flexible

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate

Job description

We're looking for a Nursery Cook on a flexible working pattern to keep our kitchens running when our nursery cooks are on holiday or off sick. You'll work across all three Nest nurseries: Royal Wharf and Marco Polo in the Royal Docks (E16), and Embassy Gardens in Nine Elms (SW11). Expect around 15 weeks' work a year, mostly booked well in advance, with some shorter-notice days, so it fits well alongside other work, study or family commitments.

What you'll do

• Cook fresh breakfasts, lunches, teas and snacks from our seasonal menu, which changes each term and rotates on a four-week cycle
• Cater safely for allergies and dietary needs in our nut-free kitchens
• Keep the kitchen clean, organised and compliant with food safety standards, including temperature and cleaning records
• Manage stock and deliveries while you're on shift
• Work closely with the nursery team, and occasionally help children with simple baking sessions

What we're looking for

• Experience cooking in a nursery, school, care home or other professional kitchen
• A Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate, or willingness to complete it before you start
• Confidence managing allergens and special diets
• Reliability and flexibility, including travelling between our E16 and SW11 nurseries
• An enhanced DBS check: we'll arrange it, and you'll keep it registered on the DBS Update Service

What we offer

• £16 an hour
• Flexible work you can plan around, with most shifts booked well ahead
• Daytime hours only, Monday to Friday: no evenings or weekends
• Paid training, including food hygiene and allergen awareness
• Holiday pay on the hours you work, and a company pension when you're eligible
• A friendly team and regular socials