How Toad Hall Nursery Group Strengthened Its Culture of Safety with Tigerlily Training

Farnborough Nursery Turns One! It’s been a very special year at Toad Hall Nursery Farnborough, and what better way to celebrate our first birthday than with a fantastic family celebration! On Saturday 12th September, more than 70 children, families and guests joined us for a fun-filled birthday party, celebrating everything that has made our first year so memorable. A day full of fun and furry friends There was something for everyone to enjoy, but one of the biggest hits with the children was our very special petting farm. Our young guests had the opportunity to meet an amazing variety of animals, including a pony, sheep, goats, guinea pigs, rabbits, tortoises, a lizard, giant snails and even a snake! The fun continued throughout the day with a bouncy castle, ice cream van, delicious lunch, cupcakes and a special birthday cake. Families and the nursery team came together to sing Happy Birthday and celebrate one whole year of Toad Hall Farnborough. Celebrating our first year together While the birthday party was a celebration of the nursery, it was also a chance to celebrate the wonderful community that has grown around it over the past year. Katrina Omotoso, Joint Head of Operations, said: “The wonderful turnout from our families was a true reflection of how loved our setting has become. While our beautiful character, grounds and spaces make Toad Hall special, it is our incredible staff who are truly at the heart of everything we do. I was so touched to receive such lovely feedback from families, with many sharing how the setting has exceeded their expectations and, most importantly, how happy their children are. Having been part of the journey from the initial plans through to this first year, I feel incredibly proud. We have created something very special – a setting where children and families genuinely come first." For Nursery Manager Joe Baggs, the occasion was an opportunity to reflect on just how much the nursery community has achieved together. “Our first birthday was incredibly special because it wasn’t just a celebration of the nursery, but a celebration of the wonderful community we have created together. We are so grateful to every family who joined us and helped make the day so full of happiness, laughter and memories. “It was especially lovely to welcome new families and share this milestone with them, while reflecting on how much our children, families and team have achieved together over the past year. We truly feel that Toad Hall is more than just a nursery – it’s a community, and every family who walks through our doors becomes part of that.” One year of Toad Hall Farnborough Toad Hall Nursery Farnborough opened its doors in 2025 and has quickly become part of the local Farnborough community, providing early years education and care for children from birth to five years. The nursery is located in The Old Library, a beautiful detached two-storey Grade II listed building, offering spacious rooms and a large natural garden where children can explore, learn and play. As we look back on our first year, we’re incredibly proud of everything our children, families and team have achieved together – and we’re even more excited about what the future holds. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate our first birthday and to all of the families who have been part of our journey so far. Here’s to many more happy years at Toad Hall Farnborough! Find out more Interested in finding out more about Toad Hall Nursery Farnborough or joining our growing community? Book a tour or find out more: www.toadhall-nursery.co.uk/farnborough Contact the Farnborough team: farnborough@toadhall-nursery.co.uk

Stay up-to-date with the latest health and safety news for children At Toad Hall Nursery Group, the safety of our children, staff, and parents is paramount. We strictly adhere to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) health and safety guidelines, which childcare settings in England are required to follow. To help you stay up-to-date with the latest health and safety news for children, we have put together our Summer Health and Safety newsletter. You will find a range of Health and Safety updates, resources, and information on: Water safety Sun safety Fire safety staff training First Aid training Screen guidance for under 5's Read the full newsletter here or on the image below.

At Toad Hall Children’s Nursery, we believe food is about so much more than simply filling little tummies. Mealtimes are an important part of every child’s day — supporting growth, development, learning, and helping children build healthy habits that can last a lifetime. That’s why we’re excited to share our brand-new nursery menu, developed in partnership with early years nutrition specialists, Tiny Tums. Supporting Children at an Important Stage of Development The early years are a crucial time for growth and development, and good nutrition plays a key role in helping children thrive. Working alongside Tiny Tums has allowed us to carefully review and refresh our menus to ensure every meal is balanced, nutritious, and packed with goodness. Our new menu focuses on: Plenty of vegetables Nutrient-rich ingredients Natural flavours Familiar meals children know and enjoy We know that healthy eating works best when children genuinely enjoy what’s on their plate, so our menu combines nutritious ingredients with dishes that feel comforting, familiar, and fun. Helping Children Build Positive Relationships with Food Food education starts early, and we’re passionate about helping children develop a healthy and positive relationship with food from the very beginning. Through our partnership with Tiny Tums, children will also meet friendly characters who help explain how different foods support their bodies. Whether it’s understanding how foods help us grow, give us energy, or keep us strong, this fun and engaging approach helps make healthy eating exciting and easy to understand. By introducing these ideas in a playful way, we can encourage children to feel curious and confident about trying different foods. Created With Children in Mind One of the things we’re most excited about is how involved our nursery chef teams have been in shaping the new menu. Our chefs shared insight into the meals children already love and provided valuable feedback throughout the planning process, helping us create dishes that balance nutrition with familiarity and enjoyment. Louise Cope, Senior Support Manager, said: "We are delighted to be working with Tiny Tums. All our food is freshly prepared in our nursery kitchens, and we are excited to share our fresh new summer menu with families in June. Our chef team had full involvement with the dishes, sharing the children’s favourite meals and providing valuable feedback during the planning process." Coming This June We can’t wait to introduce our fresh new summer menu to families this June and continue supporting children to enjoy happy, healthy mealtimes every day. At Toad Hall Children’s Nursery, we know that healthy eating is about more than nutrition — it’s about creating positive experiences, encouraging confidence, and helping little ones develop habits that support them for years to come. To find out more about our Food and Nutrition, visithttps:// www.toadhall-nursery.co.uk/food-and-nutrition .

Our Langley Nursery garden has had an exciting revamp, creating a fresh and engaging outdoor space for children to explore, play, and learn. The transformation includes a brand-new astroturf area, a block-paved road for bikes and scooters, and updated climbing frames to support physical development. Balancing pods have also been introduced to help build confidence and coordination, while the role play area now features new planters where children can grow their own vegetables. Even our much-loved mud kitchen has had a well-deserved spring clean, ready for more messy play adventures! The children loved watching the transformation take place. From observing deliveries to seeing the builders hard at work each day, it was a great opportunity to spark curiosity and conversations about how things are made and built. What do the children think? “I like the climbing frame in the garden because I like to be a gladiator!” “I like the bikes in the garden because I like to pedal them.” “I like the new grass in the garden – it is so soft!” Sharon, Assistant Manager commented “The Langley team are delighted with our new garden space. It’s been a big hit with the children. They’ve had so much fun exploring, building confidence, and developing their gross motor skills. It’s wonderful to see their excitement each day as they discover new ways to play, be active, and learn outdoors in such an inspiring environment.” To find out more about our Langley Nursery or to book a tour, visit https://www.toadhall-nursery.co.uk/langley or contact the team at langley @toadhall-nursery.co.uk .

Stay up-to-date with the latest Eco & Sustainability news from Toad Hall Nursery Group

Toad Hall Nursery Group is committed to creating a sustainable future by integrating environmental responsibility into its nurseries. Our vision is to become a leader in sustainable childcare, fostering environmentally conscious behaviours among children, staff, and families while reducing our overall carbon footprint. As we look back on 2025, we are proud to reflect on the meaningful and positive changes made across the group. This year saw us take practical steps to protect and enhance our environment, from planting trees on the Eden Restoration Project in Kenya to actively reducing our energy usage through more efficient practices. We also made a conscious move towards plastic-free and more sustainable products, ensuring our purchasing decisions align with our environmental values.

We were delighted to welcome Katharine Pickering from Tigerlily Training to our Farnborough setting, marking an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to excellence in safety and care. During her visit, Katharine met with members of the Toad Hall Nursery team and officially presented us with our brand-new Tigerlily First Aid Accreditation plaques. Each Toad Hall setting has received its own plaque, which will be proudly displayed as a visible testament to the team’s dedication to maintaining the highest first aid standards. Tigerlily Training, a nationally respected provider of accredited first aid qualifications, has long been a trusted partner of Toad Hall Nursery. Every member of the nursery team completes Full Paediatric First Aid training through Tigerlily, achieving the provider’s highest level of accreditation. This ensures that staff across all settings are fully equipped with the knowledge and confidence needed to respond effectively in first aid situations. To uphold this recognition and continually strengthen its approach to safety, Toad Hall Nursery follows a rigorous commitment to ongoing professional development and compliance, including: Conducting first aid drills every six months , ensuring teams remain confident and prepared. Aligning all first aid training with current EYFS 2025 and HSE standards , guaranteeing adherence to the latest regulatory guidance. Providing annual refresher courses for all designated first aiders , keeping their skills sharp, up to date, and ready to put into action. Thank you to Tigerlily Training for their ongoing support and collaboration in helping create safe, nurturing environments where children can learn, play, and thrive. To find out more about our commitment to health and safety, click here .

Stay up-to-date with the latest Food & Nutrition from Toad Hall Nursery Group

Watford Nursery Raises Vital Funds for Local Gymnastics Instructor The children, families, and staff at Toad Hall Nursery Watford have come together to raise vital funds in support of Ryan, their much-loved Supernastics instructor who delivers weekly gymnastics sessions at the nursery. Recently, Ryan received the difficult news that he has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. In response, the Watford nursery community has rallied around him, determined to help in any way they can. In October, the nursery organised a series of fundraising events, including a breakfast morning for parents, cake sale, raffle, sponsored gymnastics challenge, and a “wear bright colours” day to show support and lift spirits. The incredible generosity and enthusiasm from everyone involved have helped raise over £700 to support Ryan during his treatment and recovery.  If you want to support the fundraising efforts of the team, visit the official JustGiving page here: Crowdfunding For Good From JustGiving