Cook

Location: Tops Newport, Isle of Wight, Hampshire

Pay rate: £11.44 per hour

Contracted Hours: 35 hours per week/Full time

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’s help 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. Will follow all systems set by Tops including recipes, allergens, and label procedures and will assist in achieving food budgets.

About the Nursery

Tops Newport Nursery is a 92 place Day Nursery & Pre-School situated in Isle of Wight, Newport. The nursery run several extra-curricular activities including Before and after school clubs, Forest School, cooking school, Boogie Mites, yoga, tooth brushing, football fun and much more!  We’re rated 9.6 by daynurseries.co.uk and graded OUTSTANDING by OFSTED.

What does the role involve?

- Keen to work within a team and understand other people’s needs.
- Cookery knowledge and experience
- Follow all systems set by Tops including recipes, allergens, and label procedures.
- Maintain relevant Health & Hygiene qualifications.
- Stay up to date with food trends and new methods.
- Assist in achieving food budgets.
- To ensure the kitchen meets the required 5* environmental health certificate.
- Monitor both stock levels and stock rotation.

What are we looking for?

- 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.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

At Tops Day Nurseries, we believe in rewarding our team for their hard work and dedication. Here are some of the fantastic benefits you’ll enjoy as part of our family:

Annual Bonus Scheme: As an Employee-Owned Company, you’ll share in our success. Each May, you’ll have the opportunity to receive a bonus from our profit shares.

Childcare Discount: Enjoy up to 60% off childcare within Tops Day Nurseries, making it easier for you to balance work and family life.

Flexible Working Options: Maximise Your Time Off with Compressed Hours. By working compressed hours, you can enjoy even more time off either work a four-day week every week and gain up to 48 extra days off per year. or, alternatively, work nine days over two weeks, and you’ll receive up to 24 additional days off annually. That’s on top of your standard holiday allowance!

Holiday Allowance: Take advantage of 29 days of holiday to relax and recharge.

Exclusive Deals and Discounts: Access our reward and recognition platform, Each Person, for up to 40% off cinema tickets, Diesel Savings Card, and cashback on your favourite supermarkets and high street retailers.

Health and Wellbeing Support: We’ve got you covered with NHS Prescription Charges, Optical Care, and Dental Treatment.

Career Development: We’re committed to your growth and offer fantastic opportunities for career advancement.

Why Tops Day Nurseries?

We are a leading early education and childcare provider in South England, established in 1990. We promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility by educating today’s children to influence future generations. We value respect, open communication, and teamwork, fostering a positive, purpose-driven work environment.

As an Employee-Owned Company, our colleagues are co-owners, benefiting from the company’s growth through annual profit-sharing bonuses. We're also  proud to rank 9th in the 2024 Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK, offering career development from Level 2 Childcare Apprenticeships to Nursery Manager or Early Years Teacher.

Exciting? We think so! Your journey starts here, so take the first step to become part of Tops Team by clicking apply!

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status. All candidates will be required to have an enhanced DBS which is on the update service. All offers are conditional upon satisfactory background checks. This role involves regulated activity with children. You should not apply if you are on the Childrens’ Barred List.