ABOUT US: Pippa’s House Nursery is a family- owned group of seven settings based in Surrey and Hampshire. Each setting has a wealth of imaginatively designed play spaces and stimulating, high quality resources and is operated by a team of committed early years professionals. We pride ourselves on providing the best of care and educational practice in an environment where the health and wellbeing of our staff and children are paramount.
POST TITLE: Nursery Chef
RESPONSIBLE TO: Nursery Manager / Deputy Manager

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

The chef must hold, at a minimum, the Level 3 Supervising Food Safety in Catering certificate or the equivalent, the First Aid at Work certificate or the equivalent and the Food Allergy Awareness certificate or the equivalent.
Reports to: Senior Chef & Nursery Manager
Location: Pippa’s House Nursery, Esher

The Nursery Chef is a valued part of the wider Pippa’s House Nursery team, responsible for the smooth running of the nursery kitchen and the provision of healthy, balanced, and nutritious meals for children aged 0–5. The role combines culinary skill with an understanding of young children’s dietary needs, supporting the nursery’s ethos of nurturing curiosity, wellbeing, and development.

Key responsibilities

• Kitchen management
• Take ownership of the nursery kitchen, ensuring it is maintained to the highest standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and organisation.
• Adhere to food hygiene, health and safety, and nursery policies at all times.
• Menu planning & cooking
• Plan and prepare varied, balanced menus in line with nursery nutritional guidelines.
• Introduce children to a variety of tastes, textures, and cuisines to support healthy eating habits.
• Prepare meals, snacks, and special dietary alternatives daily, ensuring portion control appropriate to each age group.
• Allergy and dietary management
• Ensure all allergy and dietary requirements are strictly adhered to, following children’s individual care plans.
• Maintain accurate records of allergens and communicate clearly with staff regarding children’s specific needs.
• Team contribution
• Work closely with the Senior Chef, Nursery Manager, and wider nursery team to deliver high-quality food provision.
• Support the nursery in promoting positive food experiences for children, including cooking activities and food-based learning.
• Participate in staff meetings, training, and compliance audits as required.
• Stock & ordering
• Manage stock levels, order supplies, and monitor deliveries to ensure fresh, high-quality ingredients are available.
• Work within budget guidelines while minimising food waste.

Person specification

• Passion for cooking fresh, healthy meals for children.
• Experience working as a chef or cook, ideally in an early years or educational setting.
• Knowledge of food hygiene regulations and allergy management (Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate essential; Level 3 desirable).
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently while being part of a collaborative team.
• Creativity in menu planning to expose children to new tastes and food cultures.

What we offer

• The opportunity to play a vital role in children’s health and development.
• Support from an experienced Senior Chef and Nursery Manager.
• Training and development in nutrition, allergy awareness, and early years practice.
• A warm, inclusive workplace as part of the Pippa’s House Nursery team.
• Monthly attendance bonus and competitive salary

This job description is intended to give you an indication of the main duties but is not meant to be an exhaustive list.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: Up to £29,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Childcare
• Company events
• Employee discount
• Gym membership

Work Location: In perso