Nursery Chef

Job Title:

Nursery Chef

Location:

Waltham Abbey, Essex, United Kingdom, EN9 3FA

Contract Type:
Full-time

Contract Length:
Permanent

Hours:

40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, all year round

Salary: £12.70 - £13.25 per hour (£26,619.20 - £27,772 per annum, full-time equivalent)

Benefits:

• Birthday Off
• 6 fully paid sick days
• Cashback Healthcare Plan
• Retail Discounts
• Recognition & Reward
• 50 % Childcare Discount
• 24/7 Virtual GP Access
• 24/7 Counselling Support
• Discounted gym Membership
• Personal Financial Advisor Access
• Pension Discovery
• Learning platform Access

Join the Kindred Family – A Place to Grow, Thrive, and Make a Difference

Are you passionate about food, nutrition, and creating warm, homely mealtime experiences for young children? Do you enjoy working in a role where your care, creativity, and attention to detail directly support children’s development and wellbeing?

At Kindred, we believe work should be more than just a job – it should be a place where you feel valued, supported, and inspired every day.

Due to a new opportunity, we’re excited to welcome a Nursery Chef to our friendly and dedicated team in Waltham Abbey, Essex, United Kingdom. Whether you’re an experienced nursery chef or looking to bring your catering skills into an early years environment, this role offers the chance to be part of a warm, inclusive setting where 91.71% of our team would recommend Kindred as a great place to work.

• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• A friendly, positive approach when working with children, parents, and colleagues
• A clear understanding of health & safety, food safety, and safeguarding responsibilities

• Previous experience working as a Nursery Chef or within an early years or childcare setting
• Knowledge of Safer Food Better Business and COSHH guidelines

• Preparing and cooking nutritious meals in line with Kindred menus and Safer Food Better Business guidance
• Ensuring all children’s dietary needs and allergies are met, providing suitable alternative meals where required
• Maintaining a safe, clean, and organized kitchen environment at all times
• Completing daily cleaning checks and recording them on the appropriate checklists
• Serving meals in line with nursery routines
• Managing laundry duties
• Monitoring kitchen and cleaning supplies and ordering replacements when required
• Using appropriate signage to highlight wet floors or potential hazards
• Following Kindred’s Health & Safety Manual, policies, and procedures
• Creating homely, comforting mealtime experiences for children
• Building positive relationships with children, parents, carers, and staff
• Participating in staff meetings and nursery events

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is a shared responsibility to protect children, parents, and staff from harm. All staff are expected to act in accordance with Kindred’s safeguarding and health & safety policies at all times.

At Kindred, we’re more than a nursery group – we’re a family.

• Supportive Culture – Strong relationships, teamwork, and a genuine sense of belonging
• Career Development – Ongoing training, support, and opportunities to grow within the organisation
• Work-Life Balance – Structured working hours and flexible shift options
• Competitive Pay & Benefits – Regularly benchmarked salaries, bonuses, pensions, and paid leave
• Award-Winning Family – A company that values recognition, personal growth, and team success

• Interviews:
  Rolling interviews
• Expected
  
  Start Date:
  
  ASAP

Our process includes:

• A video interview followed by a face‑to‑face interview at the nursery
• Background checks including references, DBS, and qualification verification, in line with our Safer Recruitment Policy

To apply for the Nursery Chef position, please click the “Apply” button, complete the application form, and include your CV along with a short cover letter explaining your interest in the role.

We aim to respond to all applicants within 2–5 working days.

Thank you for considering a career with Kindred.

As part of our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, the successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check.