Nursery Chef

Location: High Street, Totton (just a 3-minute walk from the train station)

Hours: 40 hours per week | Full-Time | Permanent | All-Year Round

Salary: £16.00 per hour (£33,280 per year) DOE + Exceptional Benefits

At Totton Day Nursery , we believe that food is more than just mealtimes; it’s a vital part of how children learn, grow, and thrive. Our purpose-built nursery is a bright and welcoming environment where curiosity is encouraged, individuality is celebrated, and every child is supported to flourish.

We are on the lookout for an experienced and passionate Nursery Chef to take ownership of our satellite kitchen. This is your chance to deliver nutritious, high-quality meals while playing a key role in supporting children’s wellbeing across our nursery community. If you take pride in your work, enjoy autonomy, and want to be part of a supportive, values-led organization, we want to hear from you!

We believe that great people create great environments for children. In return for your expertise and commitment, we offer a benefits package designed to support you both professionally and personally:

• Annual Leave: 24 days + your birthday off + bank holidays.
• Childcare Discount: 75% off nursery fees for team members.
• Health & Wellbeing: Confidential employee assistance programme.
• Career Development: Tailored training and progression opportunities.
• Pension Scheme: Competitive employer contribution.
• Referral Bonuses: Earn rewards for recommending great people.
• Free onsite parking.
• Team events and celebrations.
• A supportive and inclusive working culture.

As our Nursery Chef, you will be responsible for the daily operation of our satellite kitchen, ensuring meals are prepared safely, efficiently, and to a consistently high standard. You will collaborate closely with nursery teams to create positive food experiences for children while maintaining full compliance with food safety and allergy procedures.

This role also requires flexibility to support and provide cover within other local nursery settings when needed, ensuring continuity of service across our nurseries.

• Preparing fresh, balanced, age-appropriate meals and snacks daily.
• Managing the day-to-day running of the satellite kitchen, including organization, hygiene, and compliance.
• Ensuring all dietary, allergy, and cultural requirements are carefully met.
• Managing food ordering, stock control, and budgets to minimize waste.
• Maintaining excellent food hygiene and health & safety standards.
• Working collaboratively with nursery teams and engaging positively with parents around healthy eating.
• Supporting other local nurseries with kitchen cover as operationally required.

You are a reliable and organized chef who understands the importance of nutrition in early childhood. You thrive working independently, take ownership of your environment, and are committed to maintaining the highest standards.

You will bring:

• Experience in a domestic or commercial kitchen environment.
• A strong understanding of food allergies and dietary requirements.
• Knowledge of COSHH and food hygiene standards.
• A genuine passion for preparing nutritious meals for young children.
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Fluent English (written and spoken) – GCSE Grade C or equivalent.

We are dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and thorough vetting procedures.

Play Away - Totton is part of the Family First Group, where we treat everyone as a person, with equal rights and responsibilities. We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children and families according to their individual needs. Discrimination of any kind has no place within the Family First Group.