Job Title: Nursery Cook
Location: Alvaston Derby
Reports To: Nursery Manager
Job Type: permanent full-time
Salary: Competitive, based on experience and qualifications
About Our Nursery:
At Little Rainbows Academy we are dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can learn and grow. We believe that healthy eating is fundamental to a child's development, and our commitment to nutritious, freshly prepared meals is at the heart of our childcare provision.
Job Summary:
The Nursery Cook is responsible for the planning, preparation, and serving of healthy, nutritious, and appealing meals and snacks for all children attending the nursery, adhering strictly to dietary requirements, allergy information, and food safety regulations. A key focus of this role is ensuring that all food served contributes positively to children's growth and development, promoting healthy eating habits from a young age.
Key Responsibilities:
* Menu Planning & Nutritional Excellence:
* Develop and implement varied, balanced, and age-appropriate menus that meet the nutritional needs of children from babies to pre-schoolers, in line with current nutritional guidelines for early years settings (e.g., Voluntary Food and Drink Guidelines for Early Years Settings in England, or equivalent local guidelines).
* Ensure menus incorporate a wide range of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
* Minimise the use of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats in all cooking.
* Consider seasonal availability of ingredients to promote freshness and sustainability.
* Regularly review and update menus based on children's preferences, feedback, and nutritional advice.
* Food Preparation & Cooking:
* Prepare and cook all meals and snacks from scratch daily, including breakfast, lunch, tea, and healthy snacks.
* Ensure high standards of food preparation, presentation, and taste.
* Adapt recipes and prepare alternative meals for children with allergies, intolerances, and specific dietary requirements (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, cultural diets), meticulously managing cross-contamination risks.
* Serve food in an appealing and child-friendly manner, ensuring appropriate portion sizes.
* Food Safety & Hygiene:
* Maintain exceptionally high standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the kitchen area at all times, adhering to HACCP principles.
* Ensure all food is stored, prepared, cooked, and served safely, following strict food hygiene regulations (e.g., as set out by the Food Standards Agency in the UK).
* Monitor and record food temperatures, refrigeration temperatures, and cooking times accurately.
* Complete daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedules.
* Undertake regular kitchen audits and implement corrective actions as needed.
* Inventory Management & Budgeting:
* Manage kitchen inventory, including ordering, receiving, and rotating food supplies efficiently.
* Minimise food waste through careful planning and portion control.
* Work within allocated budget constraints for food procurement.
* Maintain accurate records of supplies and expenditure.
* Collaboration & Communication:
* Communicate effectively with the Nursery Manager and staff regarding menus, dietary needs, and any food-related issues.
* Liaise with parents/guardians regarding children's dietary requirements and preferences as needed.
* Contribute to the nursery's ethos of promoting healthy lifestyles to children and families.
* Other Duties:
* Maintain all kitchen equipment in good working order and report any maintenance issues promptly.
* Attend staff meetings and relevant training courses as required.
* Adhere to all nursery policies and procedures, including safeguarding and health and safety.
Qualifications & Experience:
* Proven experience as a Cook, ideally within a nursery, school, or other childcare setting.
* Essential: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering (or equivalent). Level 3 is highly desirable.
* Knowledge of nutritional requirements for children in the early years.
* Understanding of common food allergies and intolerances and procedures for managing them safely.
* Experience in menu planning for large groups, considering diverse dietary needs.
* Basic understanding of kitchen budget management.
* [Desired, e.g., First Aid qualification is a plus.]
Skills & Attributes:
* Excellent cooking skills with a passion for preparing healthy and appealing food.
* Strong understanding of food safety and hygiene regulations.
* Highly organised with excellent time management skills.
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
* Reliable, punctual, and responsible.
* Good communication and interpersonal skills.
* A genuine interest in children's health and well-being.
* Ability to work in a busy environment and manage multiple tasks.
Safeguarding Statement:
Little Rainbows Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
To Apply:
Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to
Application Deadline: 10th August 2025
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Pay: From £12.35 per hour
Benefits:
* Childcare
* Free parking
* On-site parking
Work Location: In person