Nursery Cook

We’re a family by name, and we’re a family by nature too. We are defined in many different ways, by many different people. Different cultures. Different ideas. Different ages, genders and skillsets. Whilst every individual will have their own definition of family, these definitions all come together to show Family First for who we are.

We are: _**Defined by Family**_

Job Title: Nursery Cook

**Salary**: from £22,425 per annum

Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent (37.5 hrs)

Location: Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester CO4 3JL

**Just Imagine Nursery in Colchester** rated **Outstanding** by OFSTED and recipient of NMT **Community Nursery of the Year Award** have the opportunity for a **Nursery Cook** to join their team

The nursery is a beautiful converted house that offers a familiar home from home environment at the heart of our community. We strive for all children and families to flourish, and pride ourselves on establishing unique parent partnerships, ensuring every child’s individual needs are met and we support families on a day-to-day basis.

The nursery is run by a small team of staff, with little staff turnover and has been open 4 years and still growing and expanding.

**What do we need from you?**
- Keep the kitchen a clean and safe environment, adhering to internal and external requirements; complete the Kitchen Hygiene Checklist each month, and ensure that the Cleaning Schedule is complete and adhered to, being regularly updated and displayed prominently in the kitchen
- Ensure the highest levels of cleanliness and hygiene in the nursery and kitchen
- The nursery staff will tell you each day of the numbers to cater for; prepare and cook enough age-appropriate food (cooked as near to the point of service as possible) for all the children on a daily basis, with minimum wastage
- Take responsibility to make sure all dietary requirements are catered for and clearly communicated to the teams
- Ensure that dietary requirements and personal care routines are adhered to at all times, including the robust measures around the Red, Amber and Green plate procedures
- Work in co-operation and partnership with the Nursery team and parents to encourage a healthy and nutritious diet
- Ensure that budgetary requirements are met through careful planning of all food orders

**Nursery Cook skills and requirements**:

- Able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of managing different dietary requirements around food allergies - essential
- Sound Knowledge of COSHH - essential
- Able to work to a catering budget, in a manner that avoids fluctuating standards of food service - essential
- Experience and qualified to the appropriate level in any role which involves cooking in domestic or commercial property - essential
- Fluent in written and spoken English at GCSE grade C (or equivalent) - essential
- Experienced and passionate about any role that involves cooking for young children - desirable

**Benefits include**:

- Annual leave starts at 24 days on top of a paid birthday day off and public bank holidays
- Annual pay review to ensure competitive salary
- Team fun days and award events to thank and celebrate our wonderful teams
- 50% off nursery fees for our team member’s children and up to 25% for grandchildren/friends/families
- Employee assistance helpline offering confidential counselling and advisory service from qualified and trained experts 24/7, including face to face counselling sessions where needed
- Just Imagine Colchester is part of the Family First Group where we take great care to treat everyone as a person, with equal rights and responsibilities to any other individual, whether they are an adult or a child. We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children and families according to their individual needs. Discrimination on the grounds of gender, age, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, ethnic or national origin, or political belief has no place within the Family First Group._

INDR5LP

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

**Salary**: From £22,425.00 per year

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

**Experience**:

- Cooking: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

- Level 2 Qualification in Food & Hygiene (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: CO4 3JL