Work 12 weeks a year during term time only, earning up to £15 per hour and preparing delicious food for a group of 60 nursery aged children
Job Overview
Wincanton Early Years Centre is seeking a reliable, enthusiastic, and friendly Cover Nursery Chef to provide 2 snacks and a 2-course homemade lunch for the 60 children who attend the nursery each day when our regular chef is away.
The role will involve working around 12 weeks per year, mostly at least a week at a time, but sometimes for just part of a week. The dates of work will be agreed at least 6 months in advance so that you have plenty of warning of when you'll be needed, and all working days will be in school term time. The hours on working days are 8:30 - 14:30.
Food is a really important part of the Wincanton Early Years Centre, and we prioritise providing children with high quality, homemade, adventourous food. You will have the option to take complete responsibility for the menu children are served when you are working, and are strongly encouraged to be creative. In recent weeks the children have been enjoying all sorts of meals including Mediterranean Vegetable Fritters, Chow Mein, Carrot & Red Lentil Soup, and Nut-Free Waldorf Salad.
Duties
- Provide complete cover for the Nursery Chef when they are away from the nursery
- Create exciting and vibrant menus for the days you are working, providing the Chef with the shopping list you require in advance
- Preparing 2 snacks and a 2-course lunch each day to a very high standard, serving it in accordance with existing nursery protocols
- Effectively following standard allergen management procedures without error to ensure that children are served safe food at all times
- Taking responsibility for food hygiene processes and record-keeping on days that you are working
- Any other duties to ensure the safe and smooth running of the kitchen at the nursery
Qualifications & Experience
- Essential: Professional cooking/chef experience of some kind (high-level chef experience is not required, a talented home-cook who is confident in core principles of cooking in a professional kitchen would be perfectly suitable)
- Essential: Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to get one before starting work)
- Essential: Understanding of, and experience with, food hygiene processes and Safer Food, Better Business record keeping
- Essential: A clean Enhanced DBS check, or ability to gain one prior to starting work
- Essential: A warm, friendly presence who is able to maintain the nursery kitchen as a positive heart of the nursery for staff and children a like
- Essential: Comfortable with the part time/irregular availability of work, and absolute reliability in attending the work periods assigned
- Desirable: Experience of preparing meals for children aged 3 months to 5 years old, either professionally or in your personal life
- Desirable: Experience of working in an early years setting
This role is ideal for anyone who is excited to prepare high quality, creative meals for an extremely appreciative group of young children. The 12 weeks of work annually would suit anyone who does not wish to work regularly, but would still like to spend sometime as part of a friendly and supportive team, being productive in a lovely childcare environment. It is an ideal role for someone with school aged children looking for a flexible role.
There may be the opportunity for additional hours of work after a probationary period, supporting the Chef to begin offering homemade meals for parents/carers to purchase and enjoy at home with their family.
Wincanton Early Years Centre is a regulated childcare setting which operates a thorough Safer Recruitment process. Any candidate who is offered the role will be required to submit detailed information and two references to enable the nursery to complete their safeguarding and child protection checks. All employees must hold a valid and current DBS Certificate before starting work, although this can be obtained by the successful candidate through the nursery.
Pay: Up to £15.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Flexible schedule
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
