Join Our Team as Nursery Cook at Little Olives Day Nursery (In order to apply for this position, you must hold level 2 or 3 in food hygiene or equivalent and minimum 1 year experience as a nursery cook)
Opening July 2025 in Waverley, Rotherham
Little Olives Day Nursery is looking for a passionate, dedicated Nursery Cook to join our team and help provide delicious, nutritious meals for children aged 6 months to 5 years. Opening in July 2025, we are committed to offering the highest standards of care, and that starts with healthy, balanced meals made with love
About Us: Little Olives Day Nursery is a brand-new, purpose-built nursery located in Waverley, Rotherham. We are creating a warm, caring environment where children can flourish, and our kitchen plays a key role in providing the nourishment children need to grow and thrive. We believe in offering home-cooked meals made from fresh ingredients that meet the dietary needs of every child.
Overview
We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Cook to join our brand new nursery in Waverley, Rotherham. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food preparation and a commitment to maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene. As a Cook, you will play a vital role in creating delicious meals that are healthy and nutritious for our children, while ensuring the kitchen operates smoothly and efficiently.
What We're Looking For:
* Proven experience in cooking, preferably in a nursery or school setting
* Relevant qualifications (Level 2 or 3 in Food Hygiene or equivalent)
* Knowledge of special dietary needs and allergies
* A passion for cooking nutritious, balanced meals for young children
* Strong organisational and time-management skills
* A DBS check on the update service (mandatory)
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Role & Responsibilities:
* Plan and prepare healthy, well-balanced meals for children aged 6 months to 5 years
* Ensure all meals meet dietary requirements and preferences (e.g., allergies, intolerances, cultural preferences
* Manage kitchen supplies, inventory, and food orders
* Work closely with the nursery team to ensure the meals are delivered in a timely manner and with care
* Adhere to all relevant health and safety regulations, food safety standards, and guidelines
* Budget holder for the provision of food and associated goods for the nursery and be responsible for the purchase of such provisions.
* Keep weekly accounts of such expenditure.
* Be responsible, in conjunction with the Manager, for planning healthy and balanced menus.
* Be clear about the regulations relating to allergies and provide adequate information to parents about the contents of meals provided.
* Co-ordinate serving lunch, tea and snacks throughout the day.
* Wash-up crockery, cutlery and all equipment used to prepare meals.
* Be responsible for hygiene and risk assessment within the kitchen area, including all record keeping relevant to the post.
* Be responsible for food safety within the nursery including all safety checks relating to food storage and preparation.
* Maintain an agreed high standard of hygiene and cleanliness within the kitchen area.
* Keep all relevant training up to date.
Skills
* Strong understanding of food safety standards and practices, ensuring compliance at all times.
* Ability to work effectively in a kitchen setting while maintaining attention to detail.
* Ability to communicate effectively with nursery staff about dietary requirements of children.
* Flexibility to adapt to changing menus and dietary requirements as needed.
If you are enthusiastic about cooking and eager to contribute your skills to our team, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity Please email a copy of your CV and a covering letter detailing why the job is right for you to:
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £12.21 per hour
Benefits:
* Employee discount
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Rotherham S60: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
* NURSERY COOK: 1 year (required)
Language:
* English (required)
Licence/Certification:
* Food Hygiene Certificate (required)
Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
Reference ID: Nursery Cook