Role Overview:

Join Our Team at Busy Bees – Start Your Career with a Catering Apprenticeship!

Are you passionate about starting a rewarding career in the catering industry? If you're eager to learn, grow, and develop your skills while working in a dynamic and supportive environment, our Catering Apprenticeship could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Whether you're stepping into catering for the first time or looking to build on your skills, you’ll be supported every step of the way in a busy, friendly nursery environment where your contribution really matters.

Why Start a Catering Apprenticeship with Busy Bees?

Choosing a Catering Apprenticeship with Busy Bees means joining a warm, supportive environment where you can learn, grow, and build confidence as you begin your catering career.

As an apprentice, you will:

Work alongside experienced and encouraging catering professionals who will guide you in preparing nutritious, freshly made meals
Gain hands‑on experience in food preparation, hygiene, stock rotation, and safe kitchen practice
Receive tailored mentoring and regular support from your Development Coach.
Build essential skills and confidence while working in a real nursery kitchen
Train in a supportive, nurturing environment within the UK’s leading nursery group, offering long‑term career potential

You’ll learn everything needed to thrive in a catering career — while helping provide healthy, nutritious meals for children every day.

Why Busy Bees?

At Busy Bees, we’re proud to be the UK’s leading nursery group, with nearly 400 nurseries nationwide and more around the world. Our mission is simple: to give every child the very best start in life. We’ve also been recognised for our positive workplace culture, and we’re committed to making sure every team member feels valued, supported, and listened to.

You’ll also experience:

Our award‑winning Bee Curious curriculum - designed to spark imagination, confidence, and a love of learning in every child.
A workplace culture where every team member feels valued and supported
Opportunities to get involved in our charity partnership with BBC Children in Need

About our Nursery
Meopham, rated Good by Ofsted, is a purpose-built nursery with a capacity of 112 children, designed on a single level where each room has direct access to spacious gardens. We maintain strong collaborations with local schools and agencies to enhance our children's development and community ties. Located just a short distance from Gravesend, we offer free parking for staff, all within a supportive environment fostered by our longstanding staff team.

Busy Bees Benefits

We offer a fantastic range of benefits, including:

Competitive salary
Ongoing training and career progression
Access to our Hive benefits and wellbeing platform - with discounts across a huge range of retailers
Up to 28 days holiday per year (including bank holidays)
Your birthday off — our gift to you!
50% childcare discount
Enhanced family leave and return‑to‑work bonus
Menopause support through Peppy
Financial guidance through Salary Finance
Employee Assistance Programme & Mental Health First Aiders
Cycle to Work scheme
Workplace pension with Cushon
Option for discounted Private Medical Insurance (PMI)

Role Responsibilities:

Your responsibilities and expectations

As a Catering Apprentice, you’ll:

Assist in planning and preparing nutritious meals that meet dietary requirements and follow food safety standards.
Support the delivery of high‑quality catering services, ensuring a positive experience for all children and staff.
Build effective working relationships with team members and contribute to a positive, supportive kitchen environment.
Help maintain cleanliness and organisation across the kitchen and dining areas.
Follow all food hygiene and safety protocols to safeguard children's and staff wellbeing.
Work proactively toward completing your apprenticeship provided by Busy Bees Education and Training within the expected timeframe
Be proactive and eager to learn new skills within a busy kitchen setting.
Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development and continually improving your practice.
Communicate regularly with your Line Manager about tasks, progress, and learning within the kitchen.

Required Qualifications:

Essential Criteria

To apply, you must:

Be passionate about developing a career in catering
To meet funding eligibility, you must have been a resident in the UK for at least the 3 consecutive years
Be able to provide evidence of Maths and English achievements (GCSE Maths and English grade 3/D or above or Level 2 Functional Skills)

Desirable (but not essential)

Any previous experience in catering or food preparation
A Level 2 qualification in Food Hygiene

Start your future in Catering with a team that believes in your potential. Apply now and begin your Busy Bees Catering Apprenticeship journey!

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