Starting salary is £24,452 per annum base salary plus an additional £1,222.60 per annum cooking allowance
Good, healthy food makes all the difference to how children learn, develop, sleep and even behave.
We are looking for a permanent Nursery Kitchen Assistant to join our team. The successful candidate will support the Nursery Cook in all catering duties, such as food preparation and serving, maintaining kitchen cleanliness to a high standard at all times and ensuring allergies and food preferences are adhered to.
The ideal candidate will;
- Have an understanding of nutrition guidelines and healthy eating practices for babies and young children;
- Ideally have some catering experience in a similar role and hold a food hygiene certificate;
- Be willing to work flexibly and be an excellent team player
- Have the ability to work effectively within a busy environment
- Ensure domestic duties are completed (washing up, cleaning etc) in order to maintain a high level of cleanliness
- Complete all tasks to a standard that meet the requirements to maintain our 5 star Food Hygiene rating
For further information, please see the attached job specification.
This is a full- time post and the working hours are 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday and 9.00am to 5.15pm on Friday with an unpaid lunch hour (37 hours per week).
Key areas of Responsibility
- Follow safe hygiene procedures to ensure compliance with Safer Food, Better Business guidance.
- Help maintain the 5-star Food Hygiene Rating by meeting all environmental health requirements.
- Wash up and clear away after snacks and meal times throughout the day.
- Organise and prepare plates, cups and cutlery according to individual room numbers for each mealtime throughout the day.
- General cleaning jobs within the kitchen area, including the upstairs staff room kitchen.
- Have an awareness of the allergies of children attending Nursery and support the Cook where needed with regards to allergies/intolerances.
- Prepare and cook individual puree meals for babies.
- Sorting through and putting away weekly deliveries.
- Clean the kitchen at the end of the day, complete final checks and close the kitchen.
- Assist the cook with the preparation of meals if required, for the children and staff following the Eat Better, Start Better guidance.
- Cover the Cook role as required on an ad hoc basis, providing support during sickness and annual leave.
- Supporting the Nursery at family events such as the Nursery Family Fun Day.
- Hold current Paediatric First Aid, Basic Child Protection and Level 2 Food Hygiene certificates, or be willing to undertake these.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and an enhanced DBS check (formerly CRBDisclosure) is required.
Benefits include:
- Free lunch
- Free parking
- Training and development opportunities
- Aviva pension scheme (10.5% employer contribution)
- 25 days holiday a year plus Bank Holidays and 3 Christmas Closure days (pro rata if applicable)
- Employee Assistance Programme
If you possess the skills, energy and enthusiasm to work within our Ofsted Outstanding rated nursery, please apply. Closing date for completed applications is Sunday 28th June 2026.
About the Nursery
We are an extremely supportive and friendly organisation; often described as having a warm, friendly atmosphere, whilst parents and staff say that there is a real sense of community. We have a highly qualified, extremely knowledgeable team who work together in an inclusive, family friendly environment
Babraham Nursery was opened in September 1990 and operates from a large house situated in a quiet corner of a residential area in the grounds of the Institute. It has a large enclosed garden with climbing frame, pathways and grassed areas. It accommodates up to a total of ninety children on the Early Years register aged from 6 weeks to 5 years throughout the year and operates a separate holiday club for school aged children during the holidays at the local school.
The Babraham Institute holds a silver Athena SWAN award and is committed to promoting and developing a culture of excellence, diversity and mutual respect that supports the Institute’s ambitions and attracts highly motivated and talented people. The Babraham Institute is a Disability Confident Employer and has a positive approach to employing disabled people.
Pay: From £24,452.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
