Housekeeper / Kitchen Assistant

Housekeeper / Kitchen Assistant

Acorn Wolverton Mill Nursery - PART TIME - Monday - Friday 12:00-17:00

Acorn Wolverton Mill Nursery is looking for a reliable, caring, and flexible Housekeeper / Kitchen Assistant to join our friendly nursery team. This is a key role supporting both the day-to-day cleanliness of the nursery environment and the preparation of healthy, age-appropriate meals for our children.

Acorn Wolverton Mill provides high quality, affordable childcare and early years education for the local community.  The building is purpose built with four spacious play areas indoors, with direct access to four play areas which allows the children to free-flow continuously. We have active CCTV in place throughout the nursery to help maintain a safe and secure environment for your child. 

About the Role

You will play an important part in ensuring our nursery remains a clean, safe, and welcoming environment while supporting the kitchen with food preparation and hygiene standards. You will work closely with the Nursery Manager, Nursery Cook, and wider nursery team to help deliver high-quality care and education.

Key Responsibilities

Housekeeping Duties

• Maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness throughout the nursery
• Thoroughly clean bathroom areas and ensure dispensers are fully stocked
• Clear and clean eating areas, tables, and chairs after use
• Ensure adequate supplies of tabards, bibs, flannels, bedding, paper towels, and laundry
• Carry out general dusting and tidying of nursery areas
• Support ratio cover in the nursery when required

Kitchen Assistant Duties

• Support the preparation and cooking of nutritious, age-appropriate meals
• Ensure all dietary requirements are met and clearly communicated to staff
• Maintain excellent food hygiene and kitchen cleanliness standards
• Monitor kitchen supplies and report when stock is running low
• Support budget management alongside the Nursery Cook
• Complete relevant food hygiene and safety paperwork
• Step in to support kitchen responsibilities in the Nursery Cook’s absence when required

General Responsibilities

• Follow all Acorn policies and procedures, including safeguarding, health & safety, COSHH, equal opportunities, and confidentiality
• Work cooperatively and flexibly as part of the nursery team
• Communicate effectively with the Nursery Manager regarding any concerns or issues
• Support safeguarding practices and contribute to positive inspection outcomes
• Attend training, meetings, and professional development opportunities as required

What We’re Looking For

• A professional, reliable, and flexible team player
• A nurturing and ethical approach aligned with Acorn’s values
• Good awareness of hygiene, health & safety, and safeguarding in an early years setting
• Willingness to adapt duties based on the needs of the nursery

Our Values

At Acorn, we value individuals who are:

• Personal
• Professional
• Nurturing
• Nature Pedagogy focused
• Ethical

We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and are happy to consider reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.

Safer Recruitment

Applicants must:

• Have the right to work in the UK
• Be able to provide two satisfactory references
• Undertake an Enhanced DBS check

As a thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to making Acorn a safe, nurturing and fun place for our children to be, we offer:

• Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually
• 65% Childcare discount - Pro Rata according to contracted hours
• Generous family leave
• Christmas closure
• 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more)
• 4 dedicated training days and individual development plans
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Cyclescheme
• Techscheme
• Length of Service awards
• Summer and Christmas parties
• Pay advances
• Employee assistance wellbeing programme