Nursery Chef (Second in Charge) – Full time, Permanent
Heaton House Nursery – 553 Chorley Old Road, Bolton
Salary: £13.50 per hour
Hours: Five days, Monday 7.45 – 5.00pm, Tuesday to Friday 10.15am until 5.30pm (Approx. 34.5 hours)
Start Date: September 2026
About Us
At Heaton House Nursery, we take pride in providing a warm, nurturing environment for children aged 0–5 years. Alongside our outstanding childcare, we believe that healthy, nutritious food plays a vital role in every child’s development. Our menus are creative, balanced, and carefully designed to meet each child’s individual dietary needs and allergies.
We’re now looking for a passionate, organised and caring Nursery Chef (Second in Charge) to join our friendly team and help us continue delivering delicious, healthy meals every day.
About the Role
As our Nursery Chef (Second in Charge), you’ll be responsible for supporting the running of the kitchen and ensuring that all meals meet the high standards of quality and safety that Heaton House Nursery is known for. You'll be part of a kitchen team whose passion is food and creating new and exciting recipes for the children in our setting.
Your main responsibilities will include:
- Preparing nutritious, balanced meals in line with our nursery menus and food policies.
- Catering for individual dietary requirements and allergies, following parental and medical guidance.
- Maintaining excellent hygiene and safety standards, in line with Environmental Health and Food Safety legislation.
- Keeping clear records, including fridge/freezer temperatures, cleaning schedules, and risk assessments.
- Ordering and organising kitchen supplies to ensure smooth daily operations.
- Liaising with the Nursery Manager about menus, equipment, and feedback.
- Supporting the kitchen team during absences when needed.
Due to current expansion of the setting a brand new kitchen area will be opening in January 2027.
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Passionate about cooking healthy, home-style meals for young children.
- Can work collaboratively with the Kitchen Head Chef, to support the daily catering needs of the nursery.
- Experienced in a food preparation or catering environment.
- Knowledgeable (or willing to train) in food hygiene and safety procedures.
- Able to manage their time effectively in a busy kitchen.
- Friendly, flexible, and enjoys being part of a team.
- Understanding of the requirements set out by Environmental Health
You’ll also be committed to maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding, health, and safety at all times.
Training and Development
We’re committed to supporting your professional growth. You’ll receive:
- Ongoing training, including Food Hygiene and Health & Safety updates.
- Regular team meetings and menu development sessions.
- The opportunity to contribute ideas for improving our menus and kitchen processes.
Additional Information
- This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
- You’ll be required to follow our chef’s dress code and hygiene standards.
- Interviews will take place from June/July 2026
- Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews arranged accordingly.
Join Our Team
If you’re a friendly, organised chef who loves creating tasty, healthy meals for children — and you’re looking to join a supportive, passionate team — we’d love to hear from you!
Work Location: In person
