Kitchen Assistant

• Application Deadline
• Sunday, September 13, 2026
• Location
• Watford, WD18 8YS
• Salary
• £12.71 per hour
• Positions Available
• 1
• Hours per week
• 25-30

Job Summary

Do you love cooking wholesome meals and want to make a meaningful impact on children’s lives? We’re looking for a Kitchen Assistant based at our Boys & Girls Nursery in Croxley Green.

Our Kitchen Assistant will work either 25 or 30 hours per week, Monday to Friday (all year round) from 11:30am to 16:30, alongside our Chef, as well as supporting the children in the room over lunch times.

About the role:

As a Kitchen Assistant, you’ll:

• Ensure all meals are prepared in accordance with the weekly menus, catering for all children
• Where appropriate, provide alternatives to children with any special dietary needs
• Ensure that all food preparation complies with health regulations and guidelines though working practices and record keeping
• Be responsible for assisting the Chef in safely delivering the food to each individual nursery room
• Ensure effective communication regarding allergies and special dietary requirements
• Ensure that the kitchen and all equipment is kept clean and tidy, including washing up after each service
• Assist in the participation and preparation of our “Let’s Cook” programme with the children and develop good working relationships with the wider staff team
• Cover the Chef during periods of absence and be responsible for taking on the duties of cooking for the nursery and ensuring the smooth running of the day

About you:

Our Kitchen Assistant will have:

• A knowledge and understanding of healthy eating programmes for children and cooking healthy meals
• A passion for offering children a varied and nutritious diet and want to make a difference through your role.
• A strong ‘can do’ attitude and willingness to support the nursery team to achieve the best outcomes for our children, by providing meals which support a healthy diet.
• Experience in working as a Kitchen Assistant and / or have cooking experience in a nursery or school environment however this is not essential
• An awareness of dietary requirements, although this isn’t essential as full training will be provided along with a free Food Hygiene certificate if the successful candidate does not already have one.

We're building a workplace where our colleagues thrive

We offer a range of meaningful benefits designed to support your wellbeing, professional growth, and work-life balance. Our benefits aren’t just perks—they’re part of a culture that puts people first and we continue to build our range of benefits designed to support health, wellbeing and the odd treat here and there…these include:

• Hourly rate of £12.71
• Pension & Life Assurance*
• Funded Blue Light Card Membership
• In addition to 20 days Annual Leave (plus Bank Holidays) , up to an additional four gifted days off during Christmas closedown
• An additional day each year to celebrate something personal to you*
• Funded DBS Update Service
• Access to digital GP 24/7
• On demand counselling services
• Extensive Health and Wellbeing services through the SPARK APP
• Recognition and celebration for Long Service
• Subject to eligibility criteria

Safeguarding commitment:

Happy Days Nurseries are committed to the safety and wellbeing of the children in our care. All successful candidates will undergo the required vetting process.

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