Nursery Kitchen Assistant

About the Role

Kitchen Assistant - preparing meals for up to 107 children aged 6 weeks 5 years old at Grasshoppers Day Nursery, Aylesbury (HP21 9PD). Contract: permanent, 37.5 hours per week. Salary: £25,096.50 per annum (pro rata) or £12.87 per hour.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare meals from a set menu using fresh ingredients.
• Maintain 5 star hygiene standards, ensuring safe handling of food, compliance with COSHH, awareness of allergens and manual handling.
• Advocate safeguarding and ensure dietary needs of every child are met.
• Collaborate with the Nursery Cook, promote healthy eating, build respectful relationships with colleagues, children and parents.
• Resume full responsibility for all food preparation and cooking tasks in the absence of the cook.

Qualifications & Experience

• Professional catering experience.
• Knowledge of COSHH, allergens and manual handling.
• Experience working in a professional kitchen environment.
• Ability to maintain 5 star hygiene standards.

Essential Requirements

• Must reside within a commutable distance of the nursery.
• Must hold suitable Right to Work in the UK; visa sponsorship is not available.
• Safer recruitment checks (Enhanced DBS) will be applied.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave: 23 days paid per annum (pro rata), rising to 28 days with length of service, plus paid bank holidays.
• Up to 20 additional paid days off each year through Partnership Reward Days incentive (tax free).
• Childcare discount: 75% discount (or 40% grandparent discount) on fees at any Childbase nursery.
• Exclusive partner benefits: long service rewards, qualification bonuses, and retail discounts.
• Well being support: free meals, mental health and occupational health support, flu jabs, eye care vouchers, free will writing service.
• Career development: team inset days, access to online training and apprenticeships through the academy.

EEO Statement

We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants of all ages and backgrounds. We are committed to FREDIE (fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion, and engagement) and will consider any reasonable adjustments required.