About the role
We are looking for a reliable, hardworking and friendly Nursery Kitchen Assistant & Cleaner to join our caring and supportive team at Monkey Puzzle East Malling.
This is a combined role involving supporting our Nursery Chef with the preparation and serving of healthy meals and snacks, alongside helping us maintain a clean, safe and welcoming nursery environment.
The balance between kitchen and cleaning duties may vary depending on the daily needs of the nursery.
Kitchen responsibilities
You will:
- Assist the Nursery Chef with preparing ingredients, meals and snacks.
- Follow the nursery’s agreed menus, portion sizes and food policies.
- Help ensure food is prepared, served and presented to a high standard.
- Carefully follow children’s allergy, dietary and religious requirements.
- Follow food-safety procedures and prevent cross-contamination.
- Assist with washing up and cleaning kitchen equipment, surfaces and appliances.
- Check that food is labelled, dated, stored and rotated correctly.
- Help complete relevant kitchen records, including temperature checks.
- Assist with receiving and safely storing food deliveries.
- Help prepare dining areas and support the wider team during mealtimes.
- Maintain excellent personal hygiene when moving between kitchen and cleaning duties.
Cleaning responsibilities
You will:
- Help keep the whole nursery clean, hygienic and presentable throughout the day.
- Clean playrooms, dining areas, corridors, reception, staff areas and communal spaces.
- Clean and sanitise children’s bathrooms, toilets and nappy-changing areas.
- Vacuum, sweep and mop floors.
- Clean tables, chairs, doors, handles and other frequently touched surfaces.
- Support with regular cleaning of toys, resources and nursery equipment.
- Complete nursery laundry, including washing, drying, folding and storing items.
- Empty bins and dispose of waste safely.
- Respond promptly to spills and other cleaning requirements.
- Support scheduled deep cleans.
- Ensure cleaning products and equipment are stored securely and away from children.
- Follow COSHH, health and safety and infection-control procedures.
- Report any maintenance, hygiene or safety concerns to a senior team member.
About you
We are looking for someone who:
- Has previous kitchen, catering, cleaning or housekeeping experience.
- Takes pride in maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
- Is reliable, organised and able to manage their time effectively.
- Can work independently and as part of a team.
- Has a friendly and positive attitude around children, families, colleagues and visitors.
- Understands the importance of confidentiality and safeguarding.
- Is comfortable working in a busy nursery environment.
- Has good attention to detail and can follow instructions and cleaning schedules.
- Has a good understanding of health and safety requirements.
- Can communicate clearly in English.
A childcare qualification is not required. Previous experience working within a nursery, school or childcare setting would be helpful but is not essential.
Qualifications
You should have:
- A Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene certificate, or be willing to complete this before starting.
- An understanding of food allergies and dietary requirements.
- Experience using cleaning products and equipment safely.
Allergen-awareness training, COSHH training and previous experience working in a nursery kitchen would be desirable. The chef advert identifies Level 2 food hygiene and experience with nutritionally balanced menus as key requirements.
What we offer
- A caring, welcoming and supportive team.
- Continued training and professional development.
- Access to our online training platform.
- Free on-site parking.
- Staff childcare discount, subject to the nursery’s policy.
- Access to employee wellbeing and counselling support.
- A supportive leadership team.
- A friendly, family-focused working environment.
Safeguarding statement
Monkey Puzzle East Malling is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be required to complete our safer-recruitment process, including satisfactory references, identity and right-to-work checks, and an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check before employment begins.
Monkey Puzzle East Malling is an equal-opportunities employer. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic.
Pay: £12.71-£15.15 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
