Nursery Chef — Castle Nursery & Pre-School, South Hill (Guildford)
Salary: up to £29,000 per annum (depending on experience and qualifications)
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday — no evenings, weekends or bank holidays
Location: 14 South Hill, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 3SY
Contract: Permanent, full-time
About the setting
South Hill is a 43-place nursery in the heart of Guildford, established in 1995 and housed in a beautifully converted Victorian building that was once the town's first primary school. We care for children from 3 months to 5 years across a baby room, toddler room and preschool room, with two gardens and a long-standing, close-knit team — some of whom have been with us for over twenty years.
Food matters here. Every meal is home-cooked fresh on site each day in line with EYFS nutritional guidance, with three balanced meals plus a mid-morning and afternoon snack, and no added salt or sugar. Children take part in weekly cooking sessions, and mealtimes are treated as a valued part of the day rather than a break in it. castledaycare
The role
You'll take full ownership of the nursery kitchen — planning, cooking and serving meals for up to 43 children a day, from first weaning purées through to confident preschool eaters.
Day to day you will:
- Prepare and cook breakfast, lunch, tea and two snacks daily, fresh and from scratch
- Plan seasonal menus in line with EYFS nutritional guidance, keeping salt and sugar out and using naturally sweet, flavourful ingredients
- Manage individual dietary requirements, allergies, intolerances and cultural or religious preferences, working closely with room leaders and parents so every child eats safely and feels included
- Maintain a spotless kitchen and full HACCP/food safety records, keeping us inspection-ready for Environmental Health and Ofsted at all times
- Handle ordering, stock rotation, deliveries and food budget control
- Support children's weekly cooking club and get involved in nursery life — chefs here are part of the team, not tucked away
- Follow all allergen labelling and Natasha's Law requirements
What we're looking for
Essential:
- Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene in Catering (or willing to obtain before starting)
- Proven experience cooking in a professional kitchen — nursery, school, care or hospitality all welcome
- Strong working knowledge of allergen management and the 14 major allergens
- Confident working independently and managing your own kitchen and workload
- Warm, approachable manner with children and colleagues
- Enhanced DBS check (we'll fund this) and satisfactory references
Desirable:
- Level 3 Food Safety, or a nutrition qualification
- Previous early years or school catering experience
- Experience with weaning and infant nutrition
What we offer
- Salary up to £29,000
- Family-friendly hours — home every evening, weekends off, closed bank holidays
- 95% Childcare discount
- Company pension
- Free on-site meals
- Paid enhanced DBS
- A supportive, long-serving team in a genuinely lovely building and setting
Castle Nursery & Pre-School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are subject to an Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List, satisfactory references covering the last five years, proof of right to work in the UK, and full safer recruitment checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education and the EYFS. We are an equal opportunities employer.
Pay: Up to £29,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
