Working hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am–4:00pm.

Location: S62 area, Rotherham.

The role involves preparing lunch and tea, including main courses and desserts, for approximately 75 children across the day.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare and cook nutritious, balanced and age-appropriate main meals and desserts for nursery children
• Prepare and serve lunch for approximately 50 children and tea for around 25 children daily.
• Create and follow menus that meet children's nutritional needs and promote healthy eating.
• Cater for children with allergies, intolerances and special dietary requirements, ensuring all dietary information is followed carefully.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, kitchen cleanliness and food safety at all times.
• Ensure food is stored, prepared, cooked and served safely in line with food hygiene regulations and nursery policies.
• Monitor food supplies, check deliveries, manage stock levels and minimise food waste.
• Maintain accurate records, including temperature checks, cleaning schedules and food safety documentation.
• Keep the kitchen, equipment and food preparation areas clean, tidy and organised.
• Work collaboratively with nursery staff to ensure meals are served at appropriate times and meet the needs of the children.
• Promote positive eating habits and create a welcoming, enjoyable mealtime experience.
• Follow all safeguarding, health and safety, and nursery policies and procedures.

Person Specification

• Previous experience working as a cook, chef or catering assistant, ideally in a nursery, school or childcare setting.
• Knowledge of preparing and cooking nutritious meals for young children.
• Understanding of food hygiene, food safety and safe food preparation practices.
• Good knowledge of food allergies, intolerances and dietary requirements.
• Ability to prepare meals and desserts for a large number of children within set mealtimes.
• Good organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to plan and prioritise workloads.
• Reliable, punctual and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of cleanliness, safety and children's wellbeing.

Desirable

• Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering qualification or equivalent.
• Experience with menu planning and preparing meals in line with early years nutritional guidance.
• Knowledge of food allergen management and special dietary requirements.
• Basic understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and children's nutritional needs.
• First aid qualification or willingness to undertake relevant training.
• Commitment to ongoing training and professional development.

Additional Information

• The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check.