Bright Horizons
Flexible Early Years Chef

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Flexible Working Chef – Bright Horizons Nurseries, Manchester
Location: Manchester
Pay: £14.39 per hour
Contract Type: Flexible / Bank Staff
Hours: Ad-hoc shifts – perfect for retired chefs or those seeking occasional work
Are you a retired or semi-retired chef looking to stay active in the kitchen without the commitment of full-time hours? Or perhaps you’re someone with culinary experience who enjoys the benefits of flexible working?
Bright Horizons Nurseries in Manchester are looking for a Flexible Working Chefs to join our friendly team on an ad-hoc basis. This role is ideal for those who want to contribute their skills in a meaningful way while enjoying the freedom of flexible working.
Purpose of Role
To prepare, cook, and present age-appropriate food to high standards in a clean, tidy, safe, and pleasant environment. Work in partnership with the nursery team and parents at all times to support the nurseries care and education provision. Keep accurate records of supplies and order replacements as needed within the nursery budget requirements.
This role requires working in collaboration with others and taking responsibility for working in line with regulatory requirements and BH policies and procedures.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
- Keep the kitchen a clean and safe environment adhering to internal and external requirements
- Encourage and model behavior which is appropriate in a child environment being professional at all times
- To make sure you meet the legal and company requirements for fire, safety, health & hygiene at all items and necessary paperwork is completed
- To prepare and cook enough age-appropriate food for all the children on a daily basis with minimum wastage
- Take responsibility to make sure all dietary requirements are catered for and clearly communicated to the teams
- To respond appropriately to issues requiring confidentiality: for example being aware of personal information regarding children
- Support, promote, and implement policies and procedures
- Fulfil their roles, responsibilities, and legislation duty in relation to safeguarding children by ensuring that they have read, understood, and implement the Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.
- Ensure that they have completed Child Protection training every two years as set out in the Child Protection Policy and that this training impacts on their ability to safeguard the children in their care
- Work in co-operation and partnership with the Nursery team and parents to encourage a healthy and nutritious diet
- Ensure that budgetary requirements are met
- Having an active role in leading the cookery club sessions with children.
- Use nominated suppliers and ensure all deliveries are accurate and paperwork is kept up to date
- Support with other activities with the nursery e.g. BBQ’s, Fetes, Staff meetings, children’s cookery clubs
- To take reasonable care of yourself and others and to comply with company Health and Safety guidelines
- Support the manager and work as a team to ensure a good or better inspection outcome
- Understand the importance of keeping everyone safe and the part you play
- Demonstrate a proactive approach using your initiative and showing resilience to take responsibility for getting things done
- Ensure stocks are managed and stock levels are recorded in line with company expectations.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Essential Experience


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
- Experience in any role which involves cooking in domestic or commercial property
- Food Safety CIEH L2 or above or equivalent - this must be passed on day 1 in post
- Sound Knowledge of COSHH
- Able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of managing different dietary requirements around food allergies.
Experience Desirable
- Experience in any role that involved cooking for young children
- Understanding of EHO process
Qualifications
- Food Safety CIEH L2 or above or equivalent - this must be passed on day 1 in post
Personal attributes
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to communicate with both adults, children, and parents
- Ability to communicate clearly using a variety of techniques.
- Ability to encourage team effort
Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.
We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.
Proud to be a Great Place to Work for 20 years. Apply today!
We look forward to receiving your application!
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London