Nursery Lunch Support Assistant

Tops Day Nursery Ltd; Torquay; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 60% childcare discount

Blue Light Card & Each Person rewards

Health & wellbeing support

Generous holiday allowance including a

Job summary

Tops Day Nurseries Ltd. in Torquay, Devon, is hiring a Nursery Lunch Support Assistant. This part-time role (20 hours per week, 10am–2pm) supports lunchtime routines, helps prepare meals, and ensures children are safe and well cared for during mealtimes.

You’ll work with our team in a nurturing environment, benefit from childcare discounts and wellbeing programs, and have the chance to grow within the UK’s largest employee-owned childcare group.

Qualifications

• Experience in a nursery or early years setting is desirable but not essential.
• Good communication skills and a positive, can-do attitude.
• Ability to work well within a team.
• Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to obtain one).

Responsibilities

• Supervising Mealtime: oversee children during lunchtime, ensuring they are seated safely and the dining area is calm.
• Assisting with Meal Preparation: help set up and serve meals with proper portions and dietary needs.
• Assisting Children: support children with eating, opening containers, and encouraging healthy habits.
• Monitoring Safety: stay vigilant to prevent accidents and respond to spills.
• Promoting Hygiene: encourage handwashing and maintain dining area cleanliness.
• Engaging with Children: interact with children during mealtimes with conversations and activities.
• Communicating with Parents and Staff: provide feedback on eating habits and concerns to carers.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

DBS check

Education

Enhanced DBS check

Job description

Nursery Lunch Support Assistant

Location:Torquay, Devon, United KingdomDevon

Job type: Part TimePermanent

Salary:£12.72 Hour

Contracted Hours:20hours per week, 10am - 2pm

Why Join Tops Day Nurseries?

At Tops Day Nurseries, we’ve been shaping futures since 1990. As the UK’s largest employee-owned childcare group, we know that valuing people is the key to success. When you join us, you become more than an employee you become a co-owner with a voice, opportunities to grow, and a share in our success.

With over 30 nurseries across the South of England, we provide outstanding early years education and childcare for babies, toddlers, and preschool children. With opportunities for Apprenticeship, Nursery practitioners, Nursery Managers & Casual staff, we are always looking for passionate individuals to join us.

We’re proud to be recognised as a World’s Happiest Workplace 2025 and one of the Top 10 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK (2024).

About the Role

As a Lunch Support Assistant in our nursery, you will play a vital role in ensuring the well-being and safety of the children during lunchtime. You will work closely with the nursery staff to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for the children while they enjoy their meals. This role requires patience, attentiveness, and a genuine love for working with young children.

About the Nursery

Tops Babbacombe Nursery is a 50-place day nursery and preschool in Torquay, providing Early Education and Care for children aged 3 months to preschool. The nursery offers beautiful, natural learning environments, free-flow access to a large outdoor garden, and enriching activities including Forest School, cooking school, yoga, meditation, and Boogie Mites. Upstairs in the baby & toddler room filled with natural resources for children to explore. Downstairs is the preschool room filed with activity books and crafts. Children also enjoy regular outdoor adventures along the nearby coastline and meaningful community experiences through weekly visits to a local care home as part of the Joining Generations programme.

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!

What does the role involve?

• Supervising Mealtime: Oversee children during lunchtime, ensuring they are seated safely, and maintain a calm and orderly dining environment. To ensure that staff are sat with children at all time while eating
• Assisting with Meal Preparation: Help in setting up and serving meals, ensuring proper portion sizes and dietary requirements are met for each child.
• Assisting Children: Assist children with eating, including opening containers, cutting food, and encouraging good eating habits such as proper table manners and healthy eating choices.
• Monitoring Safety: Always Remain vigilant to ensure the safety of children, including preventing choking hazards and responding promptly to any accidents or spills.
• Promoting Hygiene: Encourage and assist children with handwashing before and after meals and ensure cleanliness of dining area and utensils.
• Engaging with Children: Foster positive interactions with children during mealtime, engaging in conversations, storytelling, or other age-appropriate activities.
• Communicating with Parents and Staff: Provide feedback to parents and nursery staff regarding children's eating habits, preferences, and any concerns observed during mealtime.
• Following Health and Safety Procedures: Adhere to all health and safety regulations, including food handling and sanitation guidelines, as well as nursery policies and procedures.

What are we looking for?

• Previous experience in a nursery, childcare, or early years setting is desirable but not essential.
• Good communication skills and a positive, can-do attitude.
• Ability to work well within a team.
• An Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to obtain one)

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.