Cook/kitchen Hand

**Once Upon a Time Day Nurseries**

**Domestic Cook**

**Responsible to**: Nursery Manager

**Aim of post**: To order, prepare and serve nutritionally balanced meals for all attending the nursery.

The organisation, Once Upon a Time Day Nurseries, operates a hierarchy managed environment. This runs from Area Manager-Lorna Hackland-Crowther to Managers, Deputy Managers, Senior Nursery Officers, Room Leaders, Nursery Officers, Nursery Assistants, Trainee Nursery Assistants, Domestic staff and Students.

**Main Responsibilities**:

- To prepare and cook nutritionally balanced meals appropriate for the children hat are cared for.
- To contribute ideas to menu planning ensuring the children receive a healthy nutritionally balanced, multi-cultural diet.
- To maintain a safe, clean and healthy kitchen environment
- To regulate kitchen stock control and collate food purchasing orders as appropriate.
- To maintain accurate records regarding temperature controls etc.
- To meet health and safety and environmental health requirements at all times.
- To liaise with nursery staff regarding children’s specific dietary requirements.
- To contribute to and attend his/her staff appraisal.
- To attend any training events or staff/team meetings as identified by the Nursery Manager.
- To ensure adherence to nursery’s code of practice on confidentiality.
- To keep up to date with current good practice.
- To perform any other duties as deemed necessary by the Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager in his/her absence.

**Health and safety**
- To be responsible for reporting accidents or health and safety issues and be conscientious of risks that may arise.
- To follow health and safety guidelines and adhere Once Upon a Time’s policies and procedures.
- Fit and healthy and have a good standard of personal hygiene, wear protective clothing and shoulder length hair to be tied back with no nail varnish.
- Carry out on going cleaning and sterilising duties within the kitchen, to reduce the spread of infection.

**Staff**
- Work as part of a team that is coordinated by the manager.

**General**
- To participate in social events and fundraising events, these may be out of nursery hours
- To follow and adhere to Once Upon a Time’s policies and procedures at all times
- To work collaboratively with colleagues, parents, carers and other multi professionals.
- You may be required to cover at another Once Upon a Time setting
- You may be required to work extra hours due to staff shortages, this will be repaid back using time-in-lieu at a time which is suitable to the nursery

**Personal development**
- You will be required to undertake further training for continuous professional development

Your duties will be as set out as above, but this list is not exclusive or exhaustive, and other duties may be required to be undertaken as set out by your manager or management team.

**Person Specification**

**Essential requirements**:

- A current Food Hygiene Certificate.
- An awareness of food allergies.
- Proven experience and ability to organise, plan and cook nutritionally balanced meals for babies and small children who have different dietary needs.
- Knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety issues including COSHH.
- The ability to use food preparation equipment and ensure the economic use of materials, equipment and energy.
- The ability to order correct amounts of food and control kitchen stock.
- Ability to work as part of a team and own initiative.
- Ability to manage own time and prioritise tasks.
- Friendly, flexible approach.
- Commitment to undertaking appropriate training and continued professional development.
- Commitment to equal opportunities.

**Desirable requirements**:

- Experience of cooking in an early years setting.

Once Upon A Time is committed to equal opportunities and safeguarding.

**Job Types**: Part-time, Permanent

**Salary**: Up to £7.00 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Childcare
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- On-site parking

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

**Experience**:

- Cooking: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

- Level 2 certificate in food hygiene (preferred)

Work Location: In person