Nursery Catering jobs in Watford

Join Our New Nursery as Our Nursery Chef!

Please note this role is a maternity cover, with potential for a permenant assistant chef role afterwards.

We are excited to open the doors to our brand-new, purpose-built nursery, and we’re looking for a passionate and experienced Nursery Chef to join us shape our growing community. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in shaping the heart of our nursery kitchen and help create a warm, nutritious, and welcoming food environment for our children.

As part of a brand-new team, you will have the unique chance to contribute your ideas, establish routines, and build strong relationships with colleagues, families, and most importantly – the children.

We are looking for a chef who can work 40 hours a week with a salary range between from £32,000 - £34,000 depending on experience.

Main Priorities:

• Preparing and serving healthy, balanced, and age-appropriate meals and snacks.
• Supporting children’s health, development, and well-being through nutritious food choices.
• Ensuring a clean, safe, and well-organised kitchen that meets all food hygiene and safety regulations.
• Catering for dietary requirements, allergies, and cultural food preferences with care and attention.
• Working collaboratively with the nursery team to promote a positive food culture.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Plan, prepare, and cook fresh meals and snacks for children aged 0–5 years, following a seasonal menu.
• Maintain excellent standards of cleanliness and organisation in the kitchen at all times.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, health and hygiene regulations (e.g., HACCP, allergens).
• Keep detailed records of food temperatures, cleaning schedules, deliveries, and stock rotation.
• Liaise with the Nursery Manager and parents to accommodate dietary needs and preferences.
• Promote independence and enjoyment of food by supporting mealtime routines and occasionally engaging with children during cooking activities.
• Order food supplies within budget, reducing food waste and ensuring efficient stock control.

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience working as a chef/cook in a childcare, school, or care setting.
• Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or above).
• A genuine passion for cooking healthy, nutritious meals for young children.
• Strong understanding of dietary needs, allergy management, and food safety legislation.
• Organised, proactive, and excited about contributing to a positive team culture in a brand-new setting.

If you're ready to bring warmth, creativity, and care into a brand-new nursery kitchen, we’d love to hear from you. Help us lay the foundation for a healthy future—one delicious meal at a time!

At Canopy Vine Lodge we have crammed many benefits into our work packages. Please see below:

• 28 days annual leave for full time position (including bank holidays)
• Company pension
• Annual salary review
• Nursery closed for a week between Christmas and New Year
• Free uniform
• Free DBS check
• Available parking
• Subsidised freshly cooked meals

How to Apply: If you are a passionate and experienced nursery manager looking to make a difference in early years education, we would love to hear from you! Get in touch and then we can send you our application form and relevant job description.

Canopy Nurseries is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Pay: £32,000.00-£34,500.00 per year

Application question(s):

• Experience catering within Early Years

Experience:

• Chef: 2 years (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person