Nursery Cook

Salary: of £16,345 per annum (pro rata)

Location: East Kilbride Early Years Centre

Hours: This is a part time permanent role of 23.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Closing date: 7 September 2026

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This is a part-time permanent role of 23.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. You will be based in our East Kilbride location, working alongside a great team and reporting to our Early Years Manager. This would be from November due to the current cook retiring.

About Us:

The Indigo Group are an award-winning childcare organisation that, for over 30 years, has made it our mission to empower families to overcome poverty and its challenges through the provision of innovative, family-informed learning and childcare solutions from birth to 16 years. We are passionate and care for children, young people and their families, keeping them at the heart of our practice. Everything we do is values-led; it drives us, our behaviours and, in turn, creates and embeds the culture we want to see from everyone who is part of Indigo. We adopt a ‘Leadership at Every Level ’, and those with a passion to succeed will have full support and the opportunity to participate in work out with their immediate area if they so desire.

We believe our strength lies in our people. Whatever your background, identity or experience, you will be welcomed, supported and developed here. We are committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.

Our values are:

Family-centred – children, young people and their families will be at the heart of every decision we make.
Inspiring – our children, young people and families to be ambitious, curious in learning and to always wonder just what might be possible if…
Fun – our team’s happiness is infectious and will create a welcoming and fun experience for every Indigo stakeholder.
Nurturing – we will nurture every child, family, team member and community to help achieve their fullest potential.
Innovative – we will always ask our families and communities what they want and use this with our professional expertise to create transformational solutions.

What you will be doing:

As our Nursery Cook, you will be a role model in everything that you do, from promoting our Indigo brand and values to ensuring that everything you do in your role and for Indigo is delivered to the highest standard – the outstanding quality of service for our children, young people, families and our colleagues, ensuring that children and families are at the heart of your decision-making.

Your primary role will be planning, preparing and serving balanced, nutritious meals and snacks for our children in accordance with current guidance. You will also be responsible for ensuring that all equipment and the kitchen environment itself is cleaned and maintained to a high standard.

Key Accountabilities – you will:

Have the ability to cater for large numbers of children daily within the expected timescale
Comply with Infection Control Policies and Procedures
Comply with Local Authority Environmental Health recommendations
Liaise with the team to support dietary needs, including allergies and intolerances
Plan menus which ensure healthy, balanced portions for meals and snacks
Administration – ensure that all key documentation is completed daily
Ensure that the kitchen is maintained to a high standard of cleanliness at all times
Follow and adhere to all policies, procedures and legislation
Ensure that the dishwasher reaches the appropriate temperature when cleaning crockery
Ensure that the children’s lunches are probed and recorded and reach the appropriate temperature or above
Ensure that the handwashing sink is stocked with anti-bacterial hand soap and paper towels
Follow procedures for stock rotation and ensure that food is dated and stored according to the settings polic

Training – learning, training and development is important to us, therefore, to support your own learning and development, you will:

Be required to complete regular training to ensure that all mandatory requirements are met
Identify any training that you require to support you in your role

Health & Safety – you will be asked to follow and adhere to all legal responsibilities and duties as set out under The Children Act (Scotland) 2014 and the H&S at Work Act. You will also ensure you take care of your own safety, that of your colleagues, children and young people and carry out any risk assessments of the environment or planned activities where required.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience – we would like you to have the following:

Previous experience of providing meals for large numbers. For example, nursery or school catering or other hospitality environments
A nurturing approach to working with children
Ability to work well in a team and show willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities
Personable, positive manner and communication for engagement with our colleagues, families, children and the wider community
Someone who takes pride in their work and in everything that they do
Is creative, has ideas or solutions to help us continually improve
Proven ability to deliver consistent high levels of customer service
Is flexible and adaptable
Good attention to detail to aid understanding and following of our policies and procedures
A willingness to learn and to continually challenge yourself

What you will get in return from us:

A salary of £16,345 per annum

Our Indigo benefits include:

37 fully paid annual leave days per annum (based on a full-time role)
Company pension
Enhanced maternity pay
Access to health insurance
Childcare discounts
Christmas savings club
Team events
Access to family support if required
Indigo-branded clothing
Access to all mandatory, accredited and Indigo-specific training courses for free