Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury is a small, family-run nursery dedicated to providing high-quality childcare in a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where every child can thrive. As an accredited Healthy Early Years Setting, the nursery offers inspiring indoor and outdoor learning experiences, including beach school, qualified yoga and dance sessions, alongside nutritious home-cooked meals prepared daily by an in-house chef.
The nursery follows a child-centred curriculum inspired by Froebelian principles, encouraging...
Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury is a small, family-run nursery dedicated to providing high-quality childcare in a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where every child can thrive. As an accredited Healthy Early Years Setting, the nursery offers inspiring indoor and outdoor learning experiences, including beach school, qualified yoga and dance sessions, alongside nutritious home-cooked meals prepared daily by an in-house chef.
The nursery follows a child-centred curriculum inspired by Froebelian principles, encouraging curiosity, creativity, independence and a lifelong love of learning through meaningful play. Children's wellbeing is at the heart of everything they do, supported by enabling environments and caring, highly trained practitioners.
Working in close partnership with families, the local community and external professionals, the team ensures children receive the individual support they need to flourish. A dedicated SENDCo, Equality Needs Coordinator, Family Liaison Coordinator and links with local agencies help provide inclusive care for every child.
Led by an experienced mother-and-daughter team with over 40 years of combined Early Years expertise, Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury is built on its "W-E R-O-C-K" values of Well-being, Enjoyment, Respect, Opportunity, Communication and Kindness, creating a welcoming environment where children feel valued, confident and ready for the next stage of their learning journey.
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Type of Service
Day Nursery
Opening Schedule
Open all year
Attendance patterns offered
All Year
Full days available
Yes
Half day sessions offered
Yes
Owner
Rocking Horse Childcare Ltd
Private Owned
Person in charge
Aimee Casson (Manager)
Total Places for Children
129
Age Range
from 0 years 3 months
to 5 years 0 months
Meals Provided
Yes
Meal Types Provided
Breakfast, Dinner / Tea, Lunch, Snacks
Consumables provided
Yes
Consumables provided include
Nappies, Nappy Cream, Wipes
Opening Times
Monday07:30-18:00
Tuesday07:30-18:00
Wednesday07:30-18:00
Thursday07:30-18:00
Friday07:30-18:00
When Closed
Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas
Parking
There is a private car park for drop off and pick up.
Funding & Fees
Accepts government funding
Typical monthly cost for a 3-days place
£365/ month
Discount available for children attending full time.
Discount available for children attending full time.
We charge one weekly contribution fee and two daily contribution fees. You will be asked to opt in or out of these fees on your funding declaration form.
The daily contribution fees include:
£2.50 Enhanced provision: Enhanced provision costs in nurseries refer to additional services, resources, or facilities that go beyond what is typically covered by government-funded childcare (such as the 15 or 30 hours of free childcare in the UK). This includes but is not limited to: high quality educational opportunities such as the sensory room, beach schools, general outings and extended ratios on these, yoga, dancing, school readiness activities, clay activities, stay and plays, sea life passes, cooking activities, festivals and celebrational activities.
£8.50 Meals: Meal costs refer to the daily charges for providing nutritious, balanced meals and snacks to children during their time at nursery. These meals are prepared on-site and include breakfast, lunch, and/or tea, as well as healthy snacks and drinks throughout the day. As government funding for early education does not include the cost of meals, these charges are separate and payable by parents or carers. Please note: We are unable to accommodate packed lunches due to limited storage and food safety considerations. All children attending during meal times must therefore be included in the nursery's meal provision. We also meet allergy and dietary needs.
Weekly contribution fee:
£2 Consumables: A consumable charge is a fee requested by early years providers to help cover the cost of essential, day-to-day items that are regularly used and replenished in the course of delivering early education and care, which are not funded by government grants. This is included, but not limited to: nappies, wet-wipes, tissues, nappy sacks, nappy cream, washing bedding, face cloths, soil, sand and water play.
Calculated from data given to us by this nursery. Your final quote may vary slightly.
Averaged monthly figure. Actual billing varies; some nurseries bill weekly or by use.
Defaults shown
9 months to 2 years • 3-days • 30 hours funding • all year
How this price scales (per month)
0.5 days per week
£23
3 days per week
£365
5 days per week
£1,045
Adjust for your situation
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What this price covers
Standard chargeable day 8:00am to 6:00pm (10 hours)
22.4 funded hours used per week. Remaining hours charged privately.
Included in this price: Breakfast, Dinner / Tea, Lunch, Snacks, Nappies, Nappy Cream and Wipes
Price without government funding: £1,020 / month (£80 / day)
If you're not eligible or haven't claimed funded hours.More info
£656/month more than the funded price.
This is what you'd pay if your child is under 9 months, or if you're not eligible for or haven't claimed funded hours.
About this price
How funding is applied, how the monthly figure is calculated.More info
Working parents of children aged 9 months to 2 years can usually claim up to 30 funded hours a week. The working-parent hours depend on each parent meeting the minimum earnings rules and earning under £100,000 a year. This nursery stretches funded hours across 51 weeks of the year. You've selected 30 funded hours.
This nursery applies up to 10 funded hours per day, stretched across 51 weeks of the year. With your selected funding, 22.4 hours are covered each week. Hours beyond this, including the early and late parts of the day, are charged at the standard rate.
We work out the total cost across the year and divide by 12, so the figure shown is a smoothed monthly average. In practice, nurseries bill in different ways. Some bill monthly at this average. Others bill weekly, or charge for what happened that week or month, which can vary across the year. Confirm billing details with the nursery when you enquire.
Contact Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury to get a personalised quote:
Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury has a Review Score of 8.5 (8.530) out of 10, based on 4 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury has 4 reviews.
Reviewer Connection to Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury
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Showing 4 reviews matching selected criteria
Review from A M (Mother of Child) published on 11 June 2026 Submitted via Website•
Overall Experience
My daughter absolutely loves going to this nursery, which says everything. She has settled in so well, and that is entirely down to the amazing, caring, and dedicated staff.
The team go above and beyond to make the children feel safe, happy, and engaged. It's clear they genuinely care about each...
My daughter absolutely loves going to this nursery, which says everything. She has settled in so well, and that is entirely down to the amazing, caring, and dedicated staff. The team go above and beyond to make the children feel safe, happy, and engaged. It's clear they genuinely care about each child's development and wellbeing. I'm always kept well informed about my daughter's day, which gives me great peace of mind.
The staff are brilliant with all the children in the setting, creating a warm and nurturing environment where they can learn and thrive. I couldn't recommend this nursery highly enough.
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Review from P C (Mother of Child) published on 11 June 2026 Submitted via Website•
Overall Experience
This is such a lovely childcare setting. My son started at the nursery at 17 months old, I was nervous about how he would settle in but my worries were soon eased, the staff are amazing, they are all very friendly welcoming patient and understanding of each child's individual needs. Communication...
This is such a lovely childcare setting. My son started at the nursery at 17 months old, I was nervous about how he would settle in but my worries were soon eased, the staff are amazing, they are all very friendly welcoming patient and understanding of each child's individual needs. Communication is excellent and I love recieving daily updates throughout the day about what my son is doing and photos aswell. My son's development has improved since starting and he's settled in well. He loves going to nursery. The setting itself, is welcoming, warm and clean. My son enjoys the range of activities and learning. There is also a variety of food options for the children. I would 100% recommend this setting.
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Review from L H (Mother of Child) published on 11 June 2026 Submitted via Website•
Overall Experience
From the first time I visited the nursery I enjoyed the calm and nurturing environment, decor and equipment available for the children. The large outdoor spaces continue to be improved so the children can enjoy spending time outside.
I've been so pleased with how my child has settled in and...
From the first time I visited the nursery I enjoyed the calm and nurturing environment, decor and equipment available for the children. The large outdoor spaces continue to be improved so the children can enjoy spending time outside.
I've been so pleased with how my child has settled in and it's clear to see how much he is learning. He settled in very quickly and has developed good relationships with his fun and kind caregivers. I can tell he genuinely looks forward to going in on a morning and is always happy when I pick him up so I know he has had a good day.
I receive regular updates on my child's wellbeing and progress and communication on other general matters is also very good.
I was particularly impressed with how the nursery has handled the recent hot weather and the care everyone took to look after the children and keep them cool.
I am looking forward to seeing the continuing development of my child with Rocking Horse.
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Review from Rebecca B (Mother of Child) published on 11 June 2026 Submitted via Website•
Overall Experience
If you feel that after maternity, you're dreading sending your child to a nursery. Feel trapped, feel it goes all against everything you've read on social media about how your baby should be home with you. Get offline and go see Rocking Horse nursery and have your mindset completely changed. This...
If you feel that after maternity, you're dreading sending your child to a nursery. Feel trapped, feel it goes all against everything you've read on social media about how your baby should be home with you. Get offline and go see Rocking Horse nursery and have your mindset completely changed. This nursery blew me away when I went to view them. I asked every question under the sun about attachment, sleep, routine, structure, responsive care, crying, nutrition and the owner had a comprehensive understanding of all of this without any hesitation on how to answer the question. So I sent my son. To say he is happy is an understatement, if we drive past the nursery on his days off, he is pointing, calling he key workers name to go to nursery. He absolutely loves it and it's all because of the staff. They treat him like their own, all the staff alternate to greet you at the door, it's safe and secure, the garden is like an enchanted special little escape, the food is home cooked.
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Child Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (0) & Events (0)
News
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Upcoming Events
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Awards / Recognitions (0)
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Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury.
Meet the Team (1)
Aimee CassonJob Title Manager
Aimee is the manager at Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury
What is the Age Range of Children that Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury accepts?
Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.
What Days & Hours is Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury Open?
How many Children does Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury have capacity for?
Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury has capacity for a total of 129 Children.
How far is Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury to the centre of Southend-on-Sea?
2.7 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury has an Enhanced Service -what an Enhanced Service includes.
