Nursery Field Chef

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount of 50% for first 1

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave + bank holidays

Pension

Wellbeing benefits & 24/7 virtual GP

Professional development programme

Job summary

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool in Hampshire is seeking an Early Years Field Chef to cover nurseries across the Basingstoke and Chineham areas. You will travel to sites, prepare, cook, and present age-appropriate meals for all children, while minimising waste and accommodating dietary requirements.

You will keep kitchen records, maintain high hygiene standards, liaise with nursery teams, and assist with food ordering and budgeting.

Qualifications

• Previous experience within a commercial catering role.
• Passion for nutrition and healthy eating.
• Ability to manage different dietary requirements (food allergies).
• Food Safety CIEH L2 or above (to be passed on day 1).
• COSHH knowledge.
• Great communication with colleagues, children and parents.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Willingness to travel across multiple sites with own transport.

Responsibilities

• Travel to nurseries within the Basingstoke region to cover ongoing absences.
• Prepare, cook and present age-appropriate meals for all children with minimal waste.
• Ensure dietary requirements are catered for and communicated to nursery teams.
• Maintain accurate kitchen records and uphold a clean, safe work environment.
• Support nursery management with food ordering and menu planning.

Skills

Catering experience

Nutrition awareness

Dietary management

Communication skills

Driving license & transport

Education

Food Safety Level 2+

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Basingstoke Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary – Starting from £29,000 per annum (dependant on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Hampshire (Basingstoke and Chineham areas)

Are you looking to work for an organisation whose culture is driven by our HEART principles – Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork? Where you can be yourself, feel supported, and help to make a difference to the next generation? Somewhere you can say: “I did that.”

We’re looking for an Early Years Field Chef to join our team, to provide cover across our nurseries within the Basingstoke and Chineham areas.

• candidates applying for this position MUST have a clean driver's license and own car as it's a requirement for the role

Our Benefits

• Childcare discount of 50% for first child*
• Enhanced parental leave
• 20 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and paid Christmas closure. Ability to also purchase additional leave*
• Pension
• Financial and wellbeing benefits including 24/7 virtual GP appointments, early access to wages, and more
• Professional development programme access for every stage of your career, including access to a careers coach
• Subject to T&Cs

The Role

As an Early Years Field Chef, you will travel to nurseries within a region where cover is needed, when the permanent Chef is on annual leave, or at times of sickness or absence.

You will prepare, cook, and present age-appropriate food for all the children in the nursery, with minimum wastage. You will ensure all dietary requirements are catered for and clearly communicated to teams and will work in partnership with the nursery teams to support the nursery care and education provision. You will also keep accurate kitchen records, maintain a clean and safe work environment, and support nursery management with food ordering.

What We’re Looking For

• Previous experience within a commercial catering role
• Passion for nutrition, and inspiring others in healthy eating
• Ability to demonstrate a sound knowledge of managing different dietary requirements, particularly food allergies
• Food Safety CIEH L2 or above (or equivalent) – this must be passed on day 1 in post
• Sound knowledge of COSHH
• Great communication skills, with colleagues, children, and parents
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability and willingness to work across multiple sites, with access to own transport, and clean driving license

Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.

Proud to be a Great Place to Work for 20 years.