Tops Day Nurseries
Kitchen Assistant
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Kitchen Assistant
Nursery Kitchen Assistant – Full Time Permanent (Taunton, Somerset)
Location: Taunton, Somerset, United Kingdom
Salary: £12.72 per hour
Contracted Hours: 17.5 hours per week
Why Join Tops Day Nurseries?
At Tops Day Nurseries, we believe great childcare starts with great people. Since 1990, we’ve been creating inspiring environments where:
- Children thrive
- Colleagues are valued, supported, and empowered to grow
As the UK’s largest employee-owned childcare provider, every member of our team:
- Has a voice
- Shares in our success
- Has real opportunities to shape their future
With 30+ nurseries across the South of England, we offer rewarding roles for:
- Apprentices
- Nursery Practitioners
- Nursery Managers
- Casual Staff
We’re proud to be:
- Recognised as World’s Happiest Workplace (2025)
- Winners of the 2026 King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development
Join a place where people love their jobs and kids love to learn.
About The Role: Nursery Kitchen Assistant
You’ll play a key support role as a Nursery Kitchen Assistant, helping the nursery cook prepare and serve healthy, nutritious meals and snacks for children aged 0–5. Your responsibilities include:
- Assisting with meal preparation and cooking
- Ensuring fresh ingredients are cleaned, stored, and prepared safely
- Serving meals with appropriate portion sizes
- Washing up and maintaining strict food hygiene standards
- Complying with all food safety and hygiene regulations
- Assisting with allergen awareness and special dietary needs
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This role is essential to keeping our kitchens clean, efficient, and focused on children’s nutrition.
About Tops Mini Mariners Nursery
A 36-place eco-friendly nursery and preschool in Taunton, offering early education and care for children aged 3 months to preschool.
Key features of our nursery:
- Open, nature-rich learning environments that encourage exploration, play, and individual development.
- Sensory-rich, interactive activities fostering creativity and curiosity.
- Unique programmes like:
- Monthly "language of the month" (exploring foods, cultures, and global awareness)
- "Cooking school" (hands-on food experiences)
- Boogie Mites (early music and movement)
- Yoga, football fun, and tooth-brushing (holistic learning)
- A fun, inclusive, curiosity-led approach—because learning through play works!
Why You’ll Love Working with Us
At Tops Day Nurseries, we value our team’s dedication and offer great benefits:
- Up to 60% discount on childcare at any Tops nursery
- Exclusive deals via:
- Blue Light Card (fuel, retail, entertainment)
- EachPerson rewards (discounts on cinemas, gyms, shopping, travel + more)
- Employee Wellbeing Support:
- Subsidised NHS prescriptions
- Optical and dental treatment assistance
- Holiday perks:
- Paid time off on your birthday
- Wellbeing days included
What Does The Role Involve?
You’ll contribute to the kitchen team by:
- Assisting with meal and snack preparation (following the set menu)
- Braiding fresh ingredients while maintaining impeccable hygiene
- Serving meals with attention to portion sizes and dietary needs
- Cleaning kitchen gadgets, utensils, and surfaces
- Ensuring full compliance with food safety laws
- Helping the team meet the needs of children with allergies or diet requirements
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What We’re Looking For
Ideal candidates will:
✅ Have previous kitchen experience (nursery, school, or food sector preferred) ✅ Hold (or be able to obtain) a Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2) ✅ Display strong communication and teamwork skills ✅ Thrive in a fast-paced, organised environment ✅ Be passionate about nutrition and exceptional childcare ✅ Understand the key rules of food hygiene, safety, and childcare legislations
Important Safeguarding Information
Regulated activity with children applies to this role, meaning:
- All candidates must hold (or commit to obtaining) an enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service
- See the cost if not already cleared
- Confirm eligibility to work with children (not on the Children’s Barred List)
- Provide satisfactory background and reference checks
Who We Are
Tops Day Nurseries is an equal opportunities employer, committed to an inclusive, supportive workplace where every colleague feels valued, respected, and empowered.
Ready to make a difference? Apply now and join our nursery family!
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