Nursery Cook

Overview

Are you passionate about preparing nutritious meals and creating healthy eating habits for young children? We are looking for a skilled and dedicated Cook to join our team and provide wholesome meals for the children in our care. Our cook helps to produce high standards of meals and food following the company ethos, in line with seasonal availability, financial budgets and reducing carbon footprint/sustainable purchasing. Keen to work within a team and understand other people's needs. You will follow all systems set by Tops including recipes, allergens, and label procedures and will assist in achieving food budgets.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve meals for children in line with nutritional standards and dietary needs.
• Follow Tops systems including recipes, allergens and label procedures.
• Maintain relevant Health & Hygiene qualifications and stay up to date with food trends and new methods.
• Assist in achieving food budgets and monitor stock levels and stock rotation.
• Ensure the kitchen meets the required environmental health standards.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a cook, preferably in a nursery, school, or similar setting.
• A good understanding of nutrition and dietary needs for young children.
• Strong organisational and time management skills to ensure meals are prepared and served on time.
• A Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or higher).
• Knowledge of food safety regulations, including allergy management.
• A passion for preparing healthy, child-friendly meals.
• Important Safeguarding Information: Hold (or be willing to obtain) an enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service and be eligible to work in regulated roles-not on the Children's Barred List; successfully complete background and reference checks.

About Tops Day Nurseries

At Tops Day Nurseries, we've been shaping futures since 1990. As the UK's largest employee-owned childcare group, we know that valuing people is the key to success. When you join us, you become more than an employee-you become a co-owner with a voice, opportunities to grow, and a share in our success. With 38 nursery sites across the South of England, we provide outstanding early years education and childcare for babies, toddlers, and preschool children. We offer Apprenticeships, Nursery practitioners, Nursery Managers & Casual staff opportunities. We are recognized as a World's Happiest Workplace 2025 and one of the Top 10 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK (2024).

Location

Tops Trowbridge is our brand new nursery opening for 2026. We are looking for a range of enthusiastic people to join our team. It's a great opportunity to be part of something from the very beginning.