Crawley Nursery Celebrates First Birthday with Exciting Expansion

We’re thrilled to share that Toad Hall Nursery has been named Best Childcare & Day Nursery Collection 2025! This recognition comes as part of SME News' prestigious Business Elite Awards , an annual programme now in its eighth year. The awards celebrate and showcase outstanding businesses across the UK that continue to grow, inspire, and innovate within their industries — and we are proud to be among them. What makes this award especially meaningful is that winners are chosen purely on merit . SME News' research team carries out a meticulous selection process, drawing on publicly available information and records to identify businesses that truly stand out in their field. To be recognised for the quality of our childcare and early years education is an incredible honour — and a wonderful way to celebrate everything we’ve achieved together. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our journey!

We’re delighted to share that Kerry Webb from Toad Hall Nursery Horley has been named a Finalist for the SENCO Award at the NMT Nursery Awards 2025! This national recognition highlights Kerry’s incredible commitment to inclusion and her dedication to supporting children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Kerry has been part of the Toad Hall family for over 20 years, and we couldn’t be prouder. Her passion, expertise, and unwavering dedication shine through every single day. She consistently goes above and beyond to support children, families, and colleagues – making a lasting difference to everyone around her. “Congratulations, Kerry! Being recognised in these prestigious awards is a wonderful honour and a reflection of your outstanding commitment to supporting children with additional needs. At Toad Hall Nursery Group, inclusion is at the heart of our ethos – we are proud to provide an environment where every child is valued, supported, and given the opportunity to reach their full potential.” – Kate Bridgman, Joint Head of Operations At Toad Hall, each of our nurseries has a dedicated SENDCo who works closely with children, parents, and staff to ensure the best possible outcomes. Our specialist SEN team also provides guidance on referrals, access to support, funding, and key information to help families confidently navigate their child’s developmental journey. 

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We’re proud to share that Toad Hall Nursery Group has been recognised as Runner-Up in the Best SEN Support category and named a finalist for Childcare Provider of the Year at the 2025 Childcare Services Awards! This national recognition is a proud moment for our team and reflects our ongoing dedication to inclusive practice and supporting children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Each of our nurseries has a dedicated SENDCo who works closely with children, parents, and staff to ensure the best possible outcomes. Our dedicated SEN team provides guidance on referrals, accessing support, funding, and sharing key information to help families navigate their child's developmental journey. We believe in personalised learning to cater to each child's unique needs. Here are some of the things we have in place to make that happen. Makaton is integrated into daily routines, songs, and storytelling to create a more accessible learning environment. Visual aids are used throughout the nurseries to support children with hearing difficulties. We incorporate schemas into play to encourage child-led learning experiences, such as enclosed spaces, spinning objects, and movement-based activities. Activities are adapted to individual needs, including smaller group sessions, quiet spaces, and sensory-friendly materials. “We are honoured to have been recognised in these prestigious awards. This achievement is a testament to the unwavering commitment and expertise of our team in supporting children with additional needs. At Toad Hall, inclusion is not just a principle, it’s a core part of our ethos. We proudly provide a nurturing environment where every child is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential - all while making magical memories along the way.” Katrina Otomoso, Head of Operations Our dedication to inclusive, high-quality early years education has never been stronger. Thank you to our incredible staff, supportive families, and wider community for helping us achieve this proud moment.

We’re celebrating a truly remarkable achievement - our amazing Nursery Manager, Kerry, from Toad Hall Nursery in Horley, has been part of our family for an incredible 20 years! Kerry’s passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment shine through every day. She goes above and beyond to support children, families, and staff, making a lasting impact on everyone around her. Her journey began as an Apprentice, and over the years, Kerry has gained extensive experience in various roles, continually developing her skills. Kerry holds a Foundation Degree in Early Years and a Level 5 qualification in SEND, which has shaped her into the outstanding leader she is today. Her expertise was reflected in the nursery’s last glowing Ofsted report (November 2022), which highlighted the strong support for children with SEND, stating: "Support for children with SEND is a strength of the nursery. As a result, children with SEND make good progress in learning and development."

We are thrilled to share the news that our Hitchin nursery has received a 'Good' rating from Ofsted! This achievement reflects the hard work, dedication, and passion our team puts into providing exceptional care and learning experiences for the children who attend. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the highlights from the inspection report.

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To round off National Apprenticeship Week, we delved into Jordan’s apprenticeship story to find out more about the progression opportunities available to those who start as an apprentice.