Kitchen Assistant

Kitchen Assistant

Acorn Early Years – Burton Latimer Nursery 
🕙 Hours: Monday - Friday 12:00-18:00 30 hours per week

Acorn Early Years is looking for a reliable and enthusiastic Kitchen Assistant to join our welcoming team at Burton Latimer  Nursery. This is a vital role supporting the preparation of nutritious, age‑appropriate meals and maintaining a clean, safe and positive kitchen environment for our children.

Our nursery in Burton Latimer is the largest within the Acorn group.

We provide full and part-time care for up to 92 children aged from four months to four years. Our opening hours are from 7.15 am to 6.15 pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year.

The nursery is situated on a half-acre site next to the football club and sports field. It is purpose-built, featuring large and airy rooms with underfloor heating. Our facility includes spacious indoor areas and an extensive outdoor play space designed for both our Acorns (children under 18 months) and our Squirrels and Oaks (children over 18 months). Outdoor play is a fundamental part of Acorn's philosophy, and the children benefit from outdoor activities every day, regardless of the weather. Our pre-schoolers also enjoy Forest School sessions, led by our in-house Forest School leader, Lucy, in designated areas of the garden and at our local pocket park.

We are fortunate to have a beautiful and expansive outdoor area, featuring a large bespoke climbing frame and slide that offers children physical challenges and opportunities for exploration. Additionally, our onsite allotment allows children to plant vegetables, learn about their development, and nurture them until they can harvest their crops to use in their meals, effectively witnessing the journey from seed to plate.

About the Role

Working closely with the Nursery Cook and Nursery Manager, you will support the preparation and serving of healthy meals and snacks, ensuring all dietary requirements are met. You will help maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and safety, while working collaboratively with the wider nursery team to promote healthy eating and wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the preparation and cooking of age‑appropriate food for all children
• Ensure all dietary requirements are catered for and clearly communicated to staff
• Assist in preparing sufficient food daily while minimising waste
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and food hygiene in the kitchen and eating areas
• Complete all relevant food safety and hygiene paperwork accurately
• Monitor kitchen supplies and inform relevant staff when stock is running low
• Support the Nursery Cook with budget awareness and stock control
• Take responsibility for the kitchen in the absence of the Nursery Cook, when required
• Work in partnership with nursery staff and parents to promote healthy, nutritious diets
• Ensure compliance with Acorn policies, health & safety, fire safety and safeguarding procedures
• Safeguard all children and understand the role you play in keeping everyone safe

What We’re Looking For

• A flexible and reliable team player
• A good understanding of food hygiene and kitchen safety (training supported)
• Ability to work within a busy childcare environment
• A positive, professional approach and willingness to support the wider nursery team
• Confidence to communicate effectively with colleagues
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times

Why Join Acorn Early Years?

At Acorn, we are passionate about creating inclusive, welcoming environments where children and staff thrive. We value every team member and encourage ongoing professional development.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered throughout the recruitment process.

Safeguarding & Compliance

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, be able to provide two satisfactory references, and all roles are subject to 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