Early Years Cook - Oaks Nursery
£24,698
35 hours per week
34 days’ annual leave (full-time equivalent).

Join Our Team as an Early Years Cook at Oaks Nursery!

Are you passionate about cooking healthy, delicious meals from scratch using fresh ingredients? Do you have a warm, welcoming personality and love being part of a vibrant community? If so, Oaks Nursery wants YOU to join our team as our new Early Years Cook!

We’re on the lookout for someone who can bring both skill and heart to our kitchen someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys preparing nutritious meals that keep little tummies happy and healthy. You'll follow our carefully crafted menu while adding your own magic touch.

To thrive in this role, you’ll need:

A Level 3 Food Safety qualification
Up-to-date knowledge of environmental health standards
Awareness of allergies and allergens
A willingness to complete ongoing training and refreshers
An Enhanced DBS check
About Oaks Nursery:

Nestled in the heart of the University of Kent campus on Parkwood Road, Oaks Nursery is a well-established setting with an excellent reputation in childcare. We’re proud to be rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted (October 2022) and care for up to 90 children daily. Our families include university staff, Kent Union employees, and students.

You’ll be joining a passionate team of 30 dedicated professionals from nursery practitioners to support staff all working together to create a warm, nurturing environment for the children in our care.

If you're ready to make a real difference and cook with love every day, we’d love to hear from you!

Operational Duties – What you’ll be doing

Plan and Prepare Healthy, Nutritious Meals

Take responsibility for the production and delivery of well-balanced, healthy meals for children, considering specific dietary requirements, allergies, and cultural needs.
Lead Menu Development and Costings

Develop and regularly review seasonal menus that meet and exceed the nutritional standards set out by the Government.
Be responsible for calculating and managing the costings of all meals to ensure menus are both nutritious and budget-conscious, maintaining value for money without compromising quality.
Promote Food Engagement Across the Nursery

Take an active role in promoting cooking and baking activities, including baking with children and preparing food for nursery-wide events such as the Winter Fair, Sports Afternoon, and Graduation Ceremony.
Maintain Exceptional Food Hygiene Standards

Ensure the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the kitchen by strictly following the Safer Food, Better Business framework and best practices in food safety and cleaning.
Ensure Safe Use of Kitchen Equipment

Operate kitchen and cleaning equipment safely and report any faults, hazards, or concerns promptly to management.
Uphold Health, Safety, and Safeguarding Policies

Understand and always adhere to the nursery’s Health, Safety and Well-being Policy, Health and Safety Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.
Lead on Environmental Health Inspections

Take responsibility for preparing the kitchen for inspections, working toward and maintaining a consistent 5 Star Scores on the doors rating from Environmental Health.
Promote Healthy Eating and Partnerships

Work collaboratively with nursery staff and families to encourage healthy eating habits, sharing knowledge and promoting a positive food culture throughout the setting.
Support the Wider Team

Assist colleagues and carry out additional duties as needed to support the smooth running of the nursery.
Supervise Catering Support

Provide day-to-day direction and support to the Catering Assistant, ensuring consistency and efficiency in kitchen operations. Performance management will be overseen by the Nursery Manager.
People Responsibilities

Take an active role in the induction and ongoing support of new team members, ensuring they are fully trained and competent in all food safety procedures and relevant legislation.
Establish and maintain positive, professional working relationships with colleagues to support a collaborative and respectful team environment.
Always demonstrate professionalism through polite, respectful, and positive verbal and non-verbal communication with staff, parents, and children.
Support and model best practice in teamwork and communication.
Ensure effective stock control and rotation systems are in place, working efficiently to minimise food waste and maintain freshness.
Maintain strong relationships with food suppliers by placing accurate orders, managing deliveries, and adhering to Kent Union’s financial procedures to ensure best value for money.
Work closely with the Nursery Manager to implement cost controls and ensure that all catering operations remain within the agreed budget.
Manage kitchen operations and resources efficiently
Attend relevant training sessions and meetings as required to stay informed and contribute effectively to the nursery team.
Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing personal and professional development, actively seeking opportunities to grow within the role.
Positively represent Kent Students’ Union at all times, helping to maintain and enhance its reputation with students, the University, and the wider community.
Lead by example in supporting the nursery’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact through sustainable kitchen practices.
Undertake additional tasks and responsibilities consistent with the level and nature of the role, as directed by the Nursery Manager.
Work collaboratively and in partnership with the Nursery Manager and colleagues to ensure a high standard of care and service throughout the setting.
Financial Responsibilities

Ensure effective stock control and rotation systems are in place, working efficiently to minimise food waste and maintain freshness.
Maintain strong relationships with food suppliers by placing accurate orders, managing deliveries, and adhering to Kent Union’s financial procedures to ensure best value for money.
Work closely with the Nursery Manager to implement cost controls and ensure that all catering operations remain within the agreed budget.
Manage kitchen operations and resources efficiently
Expected Behaviours

Attend relevant training sessions and meetings as required to stay informed and contribute effectively to the nursery team.
Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing personal and professional development, actively seeking opportunities to grow within the role.
Positively represent Kent Students’ Union at all times, helping to maintain and enhance its reputation with students, the University, and the wider community.
This job description does not form part of the contract of employment. For a full person and job spec, please visit our careers page, ksu.co.uk/careers.

About the role:

Summary of terms

This is a full-time, permanent position.

The contracted hours are 35 hours per week
This post will be based at University of Kent, Canterbury Campus.

Salary

The salary for this post is: £24,698 per annum (Grade 5.2)

Probationary arrangements

This post is subject to a 6-month probationary period, with 1, 3 and 6-month reviews.

Notice Period

The notice period for this position is: 4 weeks

Annual Leave Entitlement

The post holder is entitled to 34 days’ leave; this is inclusive of 6 ‘customary’ days’, normally taken over Christmas, and the 8 statutory leave days for England. (full-time equivalent).

Pension

Staff who are ‘eligible jobholders’ (subject to the eligibility criteria as determined by the government from time to time) are automatically enrolled into the NEST Pension Scheme. NEST is a workplace pension scheme set up by the government but run independently as a trust. Your contribution to the scheme is 5% of the pensionable salary you receive each month, which is based upon your annual salary, and KUTL’s contribution is 3% of this pensionable salary.

Hours of Work

The contracted hours are 35 hours a week. The nursery is open Monday – Friday 8-6pm, your working hours will be within these times. Ad hoc early morning and weekends maybe required.

Work-Life Balance

Kent Students’ Union is committed to facilitating a healthy work-life balance and has cutting edge flexible working policies.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

We have recently implemented our new EDI strategy 2023-28 the Strategy is here to ensure equity and inclusion are a priority for Kent Students’ Union. Please see the full document here Link

Annually we review racial diversity within our workforce, and it is a key priority for us to improve racial and ethnic diversity amongst our workforce, and as such we particularly welcome applications from Racially and Ethnically Marginalised People (REMP) and have introduced a REMP Priority Interview Scheme.

Pre-employment checks

All job offers are conditional on the receipt of two satisfactory references.

We are also obliged to check your identity and obtain proof of your right to work in the UK, which you will be asked to provide at interview if you are successfully shortlisted.

Induction and training

All new staff benefit from an induction from the HR Team and their own team, as well as ongoing support and personal development.

Applications

To apply please go to our recruitment portal at ksu.co.uk/careers to complete your application and submit your CV. Please ensure that you pay particular attention in your application to detailing how you meet the requirements of the person specification.

Completed applications must be received by: 14/08/2025 23:59

Website

The Nursery website contains further background information about Oaks Nursery to help potential applicants. Potential applicants are encouraged to look at the website prior to applying; the website address is oaksnurserykent.co.uk

Further Information and Questions

If you require further information, please contact:

Heidi Firth

Nursery Manager

01227 827676

oaksnursery@kent.ac.uk

For more information about Oaks Nursery, please visit our website oaksnurserykent.co.uk