Nursery Chef

We have a rare and exciting opportunity for a Nursery Chef to join our welcoming team at Just Imagine Day Nursery – Vange, part of the Family First Group.

Location: Kent View Road, Vange, Basildon, Essex, SS16 4JX
Salary: £24,206 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
As Nursery Chef, you’ll be responsible for preparing and cooking fresh, nutritious, age-appropriate meals for children each day. You’ll maintain high standards of hygiene and safety, ensure all dietary and allergy requirements are met, and manage food ordering within budget.
You’ll work closely with the nursery team and parents to support children’s health, wellbeing, and overall nursery experience
The nursery is located on Kent View Road and conveniently situated near the A13 and ideally based within the local community. Situated in a residential area, the nursery has its own Car park available to staff

What We Offer

• 24 days annual leave plus bank holidays and a paid birthday off
  
• 75% childcare discount for team members
  
• £750 referral bonus for recommending a friend
  
• Health & wellbeing support, including a confidential Employee Assistance Programme
  
• Tailored training and development opportunities
  
• Excellent transport links and on-site parking

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook meals daily with minimal waste
  
• Ensure all dietary requirements and allergies are catered for
  
• Maintain a clean, safe kitchen environment in line with regulations
  
• Follow Red, Amber and Green plate procedures
  
• Complete hygiene checks and cleaning schedules
  
• Manage food orders to meet budget requirements

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• Experience cooking in a domestic or commercial setting
  
• Strong knowledge of food allergies and dietary requirements
  
• Understanding of COSHH
  
• Ability to work within a catering budget
  
• Fluent spoken and written English (GCSE grade C or equivalent)
  

Desirable:

• Experience and passion for cooking for young children

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate will be required for all posts. This post will be subject to enhanced checks as part of our Safeguarding Duty.

Just Imagine Day Nursery - Vange is part of the Family First Group where we take great care to treat everyone as a person, with equal rights and responsibilities to any other individual, whether they are an adult or a child. We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children and families according to their individual needs. Discrimination on the grounds of gender, age, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, ethnic or national origin, or political belief has no place within the Family First Group.