Catering jobs in Chineham

Nursery Kitchen Assistant

Hours

7:30am to 4:30pm, five days a week, all year round

Pay

From £13.75 per hour, with the final rate dependent on experience

Location

Woodlands Day Nursery

Reports to

Nursery Manager

Role purpose

Woodlands Day Nursery is a full nursery with children attending throughout the day, so this is a fast-paced role requiring excellent organisation, energy and time management skills.

We are looking for a reliable, organised Kitchen Assistant to manage the day-to-day running of our nursery kitchen. Hot lunches and teas are currently supplied by an external catering company. The Kitchen Assistant will receive, check and safely serve these meals, as well as prepare snacks twice a day and manage food orders.

In the future, the role may include preparing simple nursery teas on site, such as sandwiches, beans on toast and similar child-friendly meals.

Main responsibilities

· Receive food deliveries from our catering company and check that orders, temperatures and quantities are correct.

· Prepare and serve hot meals and teas in line with the nursery timetable.

· Prepare healthy morning and afternoon snacks for the children.

· Portion food appropriately for different ages and dietary requirements.

· Carefully follow children's allergy, intolerance, cultural and dietary information.

· Complete food temperature checks and maintain accurate kitchen records.

· Place and manage the nursery's Sainsbury's food orders.

· Monitor stock levels, rotate food, check use-by dates and store food safely.

· Keep the kitchen, equipment, surfaces and food-storage areas clean and organised.

· Complete daily and scheduled cleaning duties.

· Follow food hygiene, health and safety, infection-control and safeguarding procedures.

· Minimise food waste and work within the nursery's agreed budget.

· Communicate effectively with nursery staff regarding meals, allergies and changes in attendance.

· Work efficiently to ensure all meals and snacks are ready at the required times.

· Prepare simple teas in the future, following appropriate training and agreed nursery menus.

· Carry out other reasonable kitchen-related duties requested by the Nursery Manager.

Skills and experience

The successful candidate will:

· Be comfortable working in a full, fast-paced nursery environment.

· Be reliable, punctual and well organised.

· Have excellent time-management skills and the ability to prioritise tasks.

· Remain calm and focused during demanding periods.

· Have high standards of cleanliness and food hygiene.

· Understand the importance of allergies and dietary requirements.

· Be able to work independently and use their initiative.

· Communicate well with colleagues and external suppliers.

· Have a friendly and caring approach suited to a nursery environment.

· Ideally hold a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene certificate, or be willing to complete one.

· Previous experience in a kitchen, nursery, school or care setting would be helpful but is not essential.

Safeguarding

Woodlands Day Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be required to complete the nursery's safer-recruitment process, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

Pay: £13.75-£14.50 per hour

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person