Job Description

Ongoing role Monday to Friday 8am-5pm | DBS needed

About the Role

We are recruiting a Temporary Head Chef to support a well-regarded children’s nursery in Nottingham. This is a hands-on, temporary position paying £19.61 per hour. You will lead the nursery kitchen, prepare nutritious, balanced meals and snacks for children, manage food safety and allergen procedures, and work closely with nursery staff to ensure smooth mealtimes within a child-focused environment.

What You’ll Be Doing

As the Temp Head Chef, your responsibilities will include:

• Planning and preparing healthy, age-appropriate menus in line with nutritional guidelines and nursery policies.

• Leading day-to-day kitchen operations including food preparation, cooking, and plating for children of varying ages.

• Maintaining strict allergen controls, accurately recording dietary requirements, and ensuring special diets are safely catered for.

• Managing stock, receiving deliveries, rotating ingredients, and checking labels and use-by dates to minimise waste and ensure quality.

• Ensuring the kitchen complies with food safety, hygiene, and nursery safeguarding standards at all times.

• Supervising and supporting kitchen assistants and relief staff during the assignment, including organising tasks and mentoring where needed.

• Completing required records, temperature checks, and documentation in line with nursery procedures.

Role Expectations

This temporary role requires a practical, safety-first approach and the ability to lead reliably throughout the agreed assignment. You will be expected to:

• Follow nursery safeguarding and hygiene policies at all times and contribute to a safe environment for children and colleagues.

• Be punctual, professional, and flexible with shift patterns to meet the needs of the nursery.

• Communicate clearly with nursery staff, parents (when required), and the placement coordinator to ensure continuity of care and service.

• Work collaboratively as part of the wider nursery team to support mealtimes and routines.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience as a chef in a childcare, catering, or similar setting, with experience leading a small kitchen team preferred.

• Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate (or equivalent) and strong allergen awareness; additional training may be provided for the right candidate.

• Knowledge of child nutrition guidelines and the ability to adapt menus for dietary requirements and allergies.

• Right to work in the UK and ability to provide references on request.

• A recent DBS check is desirable; if not available, one may be required prior to starting.

• Reliable, organized, and able to manage time effectively under the pressures of a busy nursery service.

Why Join Us

Working at this Nottingham nursery offers a supportive environment, clear procedures, and the opportunity to make a positive impact on young children’s wellbeing. We offer:

• Competitive temporary hourly pay: £19.61 per hour (inclusive of any applicable holiday pay as per assignment terms).

• Clear onboarding and site induction specific to the nursery, plus support from our placements team.

• A collaborative team atmosphere and a safe working environment focused on children’s needs.

• Opportunities to work on varied shifts and gain experience in early years catering.

How to Apply

If you’re interested in this Temporary Head Chef role in Nottingham, please submit your CV and a brief cover note outlining your relevant experience. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a phone screen and, if successful, a site induction and trial shift will be arranged.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff and strictly adhere to safeguarding requirements when working with children.