Cook – Nursery – Westerham

Do you take pride in creating fresh, nutritious and delicious meals from scratch?

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Nursery Cook to join a welcoming nursery. The nursery is committed to providing children with a warm, nurturing, home-from-home environment, where healthy and enjoyable mealtimes are an important part of each child’s day.

You will take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the nursery kitchen, planning and preparing nutritious meals and snacks for children from babies through to preschool age.

A strong understanding of children’s nutrition, food allergies and special dietary requirements is essential. You will need to be confident preparing food safely for children with different dietary needs and maintaining clear, accurate records.

This is a hands-on and highly organised role. You should be comfortable working independently, managing food orders and stock, calculating meal quantities, maintaining excellent hygiene standards and ensuring the kitchen operates safely and efficiently.

You must also be physically able to meet the demands of the role, including lifting and carrying food deliveries, supplies and kitchen equipment.

Part-time or flexible working hours may be available for suitable applicants.

If you are passionate about good food, children’s nutrition and creating healthy meals that children enjoy, we would love to hear from you.

Meal Preparation and Nutrition

• Plan, prepare and cook fresh, nutritious and well-balanced meals and snacks from scratch.
• Prepare appropriate meals for babies and young children, taking account of their age and stage of development.
• Plan and rotate menus to provide children with a varied, nutritious and enjoyable diet.
• Ensure portion sizes and meal quantities are appropriate for the number and ages of children attending.
• Adapt meals safely for children with allergies, intolerances, cultural requirements and other dietary needs.
• Follow individual allergy and dietary information carefully and maintain strict procedures to prevent cross-contamination.
• Work with nursery colleagues to incorporate seasonal, cultural and educational themes into menus where appropriate.
• Support the preparation of babies' bottles and age-appropriate meals where required.

• Take responsibility for the effective day-to-day organisation of the nursery kitchen.
• Order food, ingredients and kitchen supplies, ensuring appropriate stock levels are maintained.
• Monitor deliveries, storage conditions, use-by dates and stock rotation.
• Maintain accurate records relating to food purchases, stock, temperatures, meal numbers, allergies and other required kitchen documentation.
• Minimise food waste while ensuring sufficient quantities are available for the children attending.
• Ensure food is stored, prepared, cooked and served safely and in accordance with food hygiene requirements.

• Maintain excellent standards of cleanliness and hygiene throughout the kitchen, food preparation and storage areas.
• Follow all relevant food hygiene, health and safety, COSHH and environmental health requirements.
• Complete required food safety checks and records accurately and consistently.
• Ensure kitchen equipment is used safely and report any faults, damage or maintenance requirements promptly.
• Carry out appropriate kitchen risk assessments and daily safety checks.
• Follow nursery policies and procedures relating to health and safety, security, confidentiality and safeguarding.
• Follow safeguarding procedures and report any concerns appropriately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Ensure allergy and dietary procedures are followed at all times.

• Communicate effectively with nursery colleagues regarding children's allergies, dietary requirements, menu changes and mealtime arrangements.
• Work collaboratively with the wider nursery team to help create positive and enjoyable mealtime experiences for children.
• Maintain accurate records and share relevant information appropriately.
• Attend staff meetings, training and professional development where required.
• Remain flexible and responsive to changing attendance levels, dietary requirements and the operational needs of the nursery.

• Proven experience working as a chef or cook within a nursery, school, childcare setting or similar environment.
• Experience preparing meals for babies and young children, ideally from approximately 3 months to 5 years.
• Strong understanding of children's nutrition and age-appropriate meal preparation.
• Proven experience safely managing food allergies, intolerances and special dietary requirements.
• Experience of menu planning, food ordering, stock control and managing kitchen supplies.
• Strong understanding of food hygiene, safe food preparation and cross-contamination controls.
• Ability to work independently and manage the day-to-day operation of a busy kitchen.
• Good organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to accurately calculate food quantities, portions and stock requirements.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to accurately read and understand allergy, dietary, food safety and other important information.

• Maths & English Functional Skills Level 2 or GCSE Grade C or above.
• A recognised catering, cookery or professional chef qualification would be advantageous.

• Current Food Safety and Hygiene certification appropriate to the role.
• Current Allergen Awareness Certification.
• Current First Aid certification.
• Current Safeguarding certification.
• Current COSHH certification.

• Commitment to continuous professional development.
• Physically able to carry out the requirements of the role.
• Flexibility to work various shifts as needed.
• Enhanced DBS on the update service (or willingness to apply for one)*.