04 March 2026
Toad Hall Nursery have recently retained their Food for Life Served Here Silver certification. Providing early years childcare across the southeast, and serving over 2,000 meals a day in 14 sites, they have shown their commitment to embedding the critical role food plays in the development and growth of children and its role in creating a sustainable future for them. The Food for Life Served Here team have worked in partnership with Toad Hall for over 10 years and we’re so proud to shine a spotlight on the fantastic work they do by catching up with Kayleigh Forrest Foster - Head Chef at Toad Hall to find out what motivates her to strive for healthy and sustainable food across their settings.
Can you tell us a bit about you, your role, and the organisation you work for, and how food fits into your day-to-day work?
I’m originally from South Africa and moved to the UK when I was 19. I’ve always worked in hospitality and moved to working in nursery kitchens after having children. I take joy from feeding children healthy and nutritious food to give them the best start they can have by receiving the benefits to body and mind that great food can give them.
Day to day, my role involves creating our menus, cooking the children's meals and catering for events (even staff barbecues at my home!) I love being in the kitchen and hosting.
What first motivated you to pursue Food for Life Served Here? Was there a particular challenge, value, or moment that sparked the decision?
Our motivation for pursuing Food for Life Served Here came from our commitment to giving children the very best start in life through nutrition. We want to ensure that every child in our care is served balanced, nourishing meals that actively support their growth, development, and overall wellbeing during these crucial early years.
We have carefully developed healthy eating menus and recipes specifically tailored for children aged 0–5 years, recognising the unique nutritional needs of this age group. Our menus are thoughtfully planned to introduce a wide variety of flavours, textures, and fresh ingredients, helping children to build positive relationships with food from an early age.
All our menus are reviewed and approved by our accredited nutritionist, giving us confidence that they meet the highest nutritional standards. Working towards this award reflects our wider ethos, not just feeding children, but educating them about food, encouraging healthy habits, and embedding a culture of wellbeing across our settings.
How did you find the process of gaining certification, and what did it teach you about your food along the way?
The process of gaining certification was both inspiring and insightful. It encouraged us to take a closer look at every aspect of the food we provide, from ingredients and menu planning to mealtime experiences and education around food.
What impact has the certification had on the food you serve and on the children you serve it to? Have you noticed any changes in customer (parent) trust, engagement, or behaviour?
Achieving the Food for Life Served Here certification has had a meaningful impact on both the food we provide and the experiences of the children we serve.
For our menus, the certification has strengthened our focus on quality, balance, and ingredients. It has encouraged us to be even more mindful about sourcing, reducing processed foods, and offering a wider variety of fruit, vegetables, and whole foods. It has also helped us to be more intentional in menu planning, ensuring meals are not only nutritionally balanced but also diverse and exciting, introducing children to new flavours and textures that broaden their tastes from an early age.
For the children, we’ve seen a positive shift in engagement with food. Children are more willing to try new ingredients and dishes, particularly as we link mealtimes with conversations about where food comes from and why it helps our bodies grow strong and healthy. Mealtimes have become more than just eating, they are learning opportunities that support independence, social skills, and healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
From a parent perspective, the certification has significantly strengthened trust and confidence. Parents value the reassurance that our food provision is independently recognised and meets clear, high standards. We’ve noticed increased engagement in conversations around menus, allergies, and healthy eating at home, as well as more positive feedback about the variety and quality of food offered. The certification gives families confidence that nutrition is a genuine priority for us, not just an add-on.
What does holding a Food for Life Served Here certification really mean to you, your team, and your customers?
Holding the Food for Life Served Here certification is a real point of pride for us. It shows our team’s commitment to making nutrition a core part of children’s care, learning, and wellbeing, not just something we provide, but something we prioritise and continually improve.
For our team, it validates the care and professionalism behind our menus and mealtime experiences. For the children, it means access to balanced, nourishing meals that support healthy growth and positive food habits. For parents, it offers reassurance and trust, knowing our food provision meets clear, independently recognised standards.
Ultimately, the certification reflects our belief that giving children the best start in life includes giving them the best possible foundation in healthy eating.
Was there a “light bulb” moment or proud achievement during the certification journey that made you realise it was truly worth it?
A proud moment for us has been receiving consistently positive feedback from parents whenever we talk about our food and nutrition. Hearing how much they value the quality, variety, and balance of the meals we provide really highlighted the impact of our work and made us realise that the certification is truly worth it.
What top tip or piece of advice would you share with another Food for Life Served Here certificate holder – or someone just starting out on their certification journey?
Our top tip is to see the certification as a journey. Involve your whole team, make small, consistent improvements to menus and mealtimes. Celebrate progress along the way, it’s about creating a positive food culture, not just meeting standards.