Nursery Cook

Base Pay Range

Location: Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, United Kingdom

Job type: Full Time Permanent

Salary: £12.21 per hour

Contracted

Hours:

40 hours per week

Founded in 1990, Tops Day Nurseries is the UK’s largest employee‑owned childcare group. With 38 nursery sites across the South of England, we provide outstanding early years education and childcare for babies, toddlers, and preschool children. We offer opportunities for apprenticeships, nursery practitioners, nursery managers, and casual staff. We have been recognised as a World’s Happiest Workplace 2025 and one of the Top 10 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK (2024).

We value people and offer co‑ownership, a voice in decision‑making, opportunities to grow, and a share in our success. Our benefits include:

• Up to 60% childcare discount at Tops Day Nurseries
• Exclusive discounts via Blue Light Card and Other platform (gyms, cinema, shopping, travel & more)
• Health & wellbeing support – NHS prescriptions, optical care & dental treatment
• Generous holiday allowance – including your birthday off & a wellbeing day!
• Access to nearby university parking (subject to cost and restrictions)

We are looking for a skilled and dedicated Cook to prepare nutritious meals and create healthy eating habits for young children at Tops Exeter Nursery, a 104‑place day nursery & pre‑school.

The cook will produce high‑standard meals and food following the company ethos, seasonal availability, financial budgets, and sustainable purchasing principles. You will work within a team, understand others’ needs, implement recipes, allergens and label procedures, and assist in achieving food budgets.

• Work within a team and understand other people’s needs
• Apply cookery knowledge and experience
• Follow all Tops systems, 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
• Ensure the kitchen meets the required 5
  * environmental health certificate
• Monitor stock levels and stock rotation

• Previous experience as a cook, preferably in a nursery, school, or similar setting
• 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
• Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or higher)
• Knowledge of food safety regulations, including allergy management
• Passion for preparing healthy, child‑friendly meals

• Hold (or be willing to obtain) an enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service
• Be eligible to work in regulated roles and not on the Children’s Barred List
• Successfully complete background and reference checks

At Tops Day Nurseries, we are an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

Excited to make a difference? Take the next step in your career and join Tops Day Nurseries.

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