Job Introduction
Join Childbase Partnership and help launch something extraordinary.
Role: Nursery Cook | Catering for up to NUMBER children aged 6 weeks–5 years
Location: NEW Linmere Day Nursery | Hockcliffe | LU5
Contract: Permanent | 37.5 hours/week | 52 weeks/year
Working pattern: Varied shifts Monday-Friday between 07:30-18:30
Salary: £25,330.50–£30,439.50 per annum (pro-rata) | £12.99–£15.61 per hour
Be part of a brand-new beginning.
This isn't just another Nursery Cook role.
It's an opportunity to become one of the founding members of a brand-new Childbase Partnership nursery, helping create an exceptional environment for children, families and colleagues from the very first day.
As Nursery Cook, you'll play a vital role in the heart of our new nursery. From preparing nutritious meals for our very first children to helping establish a welcoming, healthy and nurturing environment, you'll be part of building something truly special from the ground up.
If you've ever wanted the opportunity to leave your mark on a nursery while being supported by one of the UK's leading early years providers, this is your opportunity.
Why join Childbase Partnership?
We've been delivering childcare excellence since 1989. Across our 44 day nurseries, Head Office and Training Academy, EduBase, our ethos is simple: we all belong, we all matter, and we all contribute.
We don't just offer jobs, we build careers.
Here's what you can look forward to:
Generous annual leave – 23 days' annual leave (pro-rata), rising to 28 days with service, plus paid bank holidays.
Work-life balance – Earn up to 20 additional paid Partnership Reward Days every year. Take them as leave or sell them back tax-free.
Childcare discount – 75% discount on childcare (or 40% grandparent discount) from your very first day.
Exclusive partner benefits – Long-service rewards, qualification bonuses and discounts with leading retailers.
Wellbeing support – Free meals, mental health support, occupational health, eye care vouchers, flu vaccinations and a free will-writing service.
Career development – Access to apprenticeships, online learning and ongoing development through our award-winning Training Academy, EduBase.
Why Childbase?
We're employee-owned - Every colleague is a Partner with a genuine voice in our success—and when we do well, everyone shares in an annual tax-free Partnership dividend.
We're recognised for excellence - We're proud to be ranked Number 1 in the Nursery World league tables for our Ofsted outcomes.
We're community focused - Together, we've raised more than £3.5 million for charity, supporting causes that matter to our colleagues and communities.
We're committed to a greener future -Every Childbase nursery holds a Green Flag Award and is powered by 100% renewable electricity.
About you
You're passionate about preparing delicious, nutritious meals that help children thrive.
You'll enjoy creating fresh, balanced menus and understand that mealtimes are an important part of every child's day.
You'll bring:
- Professional catering experience preparing high-quality meals using fresh ingredients.
- Knowledge of allergens, dietary requirements, Food Hygiene, COSHH and environmental health legislation.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage kitchen budgets, stock ordering and food preparation efficiently.
- High standards of cleanliness and attention to detail, ensuring your kitchen consistently achieves five-star hygiene standards.
- The confidence to lead and support a Kitchen Assistant while working closely with the Nursery Manager and wider team.
- A genuine commitment to safeguarding and promoting children's health, wellbeing and positive relationships with food.
Be there from the very beginning.
Opportunities to help launch a brand-new nursery don't come along often.
If you're excited by the chance to help create an exceptional nursery from day one, inspire healthy eating habits and become part of a founding team that will make a lasting difference to children and families, we'd love to hear from you.
We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We're committed to FREDIE (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement) and will make any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process.
Applicants must live within a commutable distance of the nursery and have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Safer recruitment is central to everything we do. This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and all appropriate pre-employment checks.
