Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury is a family-founded and family-run nursery where children are at the heart of everything they do. Created by a mother-and-daughter team with more than 40 years of combined experience in Early Years, the nursery has been built around a simple belief: every child deserves to feel safe, valued, understood and inspired to discover the world around them.
The nursery provides high-quality childcare in a warm, nurturing and...
Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury is a family-founded and family-run nursery where children are at the heart of everything they do. Created by a mother-and-daughter team with more than 40 years of combined experience in Early Years, the nursery has been built around a simple belief: every child deserves to feel safe, valued, understood and inspired to discover the world around them.
The nursery provides high-quality childcare in a warm, nurturing and stimulating environment, where children are encouraged to play, explore, create, question and grow in confidence. Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury places children's physical and emotional wellbeing at the centre of their day, from nutritious home-cooked meals prepared by an in-house chef to inspiring opportunities for movement, creativity and outdoor learning.
Children benefit from a wide variety of experiences, including outdoor adventures and meaningful, hands-on learning. The nursery believes some of the most powerful learning happens when children are free to follow their curiosity and learn through play.
Its child-centred curriculum is inspired by Froebelian principles, supporting children to become confident, independent and curious learners while developing a genuine lifelong love of learning. Carefully considered environments invite exploration, creativity and discovery, with highly trained, caring practitioners who take the time to truly know every child as an individual.
They believe that great childcare is built on great relationships. The nursery works closely with families, the local community and external professionals to ensure every child receives the care, encouragement and individual support.
A dedicated SENDCo and Family Liaison Coordinator, alongside strong links with local agencies, help the nursery create an inclusive environment where every child feels valued, supported and that they belong.
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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
Carla Hopkinson (Manager)
Number of Childcare Staff
18
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, Wipes, Nappy Cream
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 large 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, Wipes and Nappy Cream
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 9.2 (9.193) out of 10, based on 11 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury has 11 reviews.
Reviewer Connection to Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury
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Showing 11 reviews matching selected criteria
Review from M T (Mother of Child) published on 14 October 2026 Submitted via Website•
Overall Experience
My son has been going to Rocking Horse since he was 11 months and has come on leaps and bounds in all areas. His speech is excellent - he will come home with new words we didn't even know he knew! His walking came on really quickly when he was moved to the bigger room. He absolutely loves...
My son has been going to Rocking Horse since he was 11 months and has come on leaps and bounds in all areas. His speech is excellent - he will come home with new words we didn't even know he knew! His walking came on really quickly when he was moved to the bigger room. He absolutely loves going!
The food is great and he comes home well fed (with lots of seconds!). The updates are useful and we love them coming through.
Would recommend this nursery to anyone and everyone! Lots of activities and toys.
The staff are absolutely fantastic! Very accommodating and helpful, and have lots of advice for at home learning! They go above and beyond (and also great at easing mum guilt!).
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Review from Kirsty M (Mother of Child) published on 13 October 2026 Submitted via Website•
Overall Experience
My daughter has been attending from when the nursery first opened, and from the moment we first viewed we knew this was home away from home. Everyone is so welcoming and happy to be there. My daughter is safe and happy at nursery, and even asks to go to "horsey school" at weekends! Her development...
My daughter has been attending from when the nursery first opened, and from the moment we first viewed we knew this was home away from home. Everyone is so welcoming and happy to be there. My daughter is safe and happy at nursery, and even asks to go to "horsey school" at weekends! Her development has come on in leaps and bounds and she has made secure relationships. The communication is outstanding, and the reassurance staff give to an anxious parent is so reassuring. I couldn't ask for more from a nursery and am so pleased my daughter started there!
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Review from Suzie M (Mother of Child) published on 13 October 2026 Submitted via Website•
Overall Experience
Really good experience with this nursery, from starting and settling in, to getting my daughter prepared for primary school next year. Amazing communication with very friendly staff. Offer healthy food that my daughter loves. Extra help available if needed too. Would recommend without a doubt.
Really good experience with this nursery, from starting and settling in, to getting my daughter prepared for primary school next year. Amazing communication with very friendly staff. Offer healthy food that my daughter loves. Extra help available if needed too. Would recommend without a doubt.
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Review from L F (Mother of Child) published on 13 October 2026 Submitted via Website•
Overall Experience
As soon as I saw the care and attention the owners and staff has put in the newly revamped nursery, I didn't hesitate to register my son there. He settled in quick, enjoys his time there, and have great relationships with staff and room lead. Management are great with communication, listening and...
As soon as I saw the care and attention the owners and staff has put in the newly revamped nursery, I didn't hesitate to register my son there. He settled in quick, enjoys his time there, and have great relationships with staff and room lead. Management are great with communication, listening and understanding your needs. Staff do truly get to know each children, give regular development reports and the daily updates and handover updated are also better compared to other nursery I've personally witnessed. You can tell the staff enjoy working there and take pride in what they do. Happy staff means happy children!
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Review from Imran S (Father of Child) published on 13 October 2026 Submitted via Website•
Overall Experience
I am really happy with Rocking Horse Nursery Shoeburyness and would highly recommend it to other parents
All the staff members are so friendly helpful and caring and they always make sure my son is well looked after
It is such a relief knowing that he is in safe and caring hands and they take...
I am really happy with Rocking Horse Nursery Shoeburyness and would highly recommend it to other parents
All the staff members are so friendly helpful and caring and they always make sure my son is well looked after
It is such a relief knowing that he is in safe and caring hands and they take very good care of him every day
Thank you to all the staff for everything you do
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Review from Louise R (Mother of Child) published on 10 October 2026 Submitted via Website•
Overall Experience
We were very impressed with the nursery when we visited on their open day over the summer. All the rooms and outdoor spaces are lovely and age appropriate and there's a good family feeling created by all the staff.
Our 1yr old has been going to Rocking Horse for just over a month now and has...
We were very impressed with the nursery when we visited on their open day over the summer. All the rooms and outdoor spaces are lovely and age appropriate and there's a good family feeling created by all the staff. Our 1yr old has been going to Rocking Horse for just over a month now and has settled in really well. We receive daily updates on the app which let us know if she's slept, what she's eaten and how much , nappy changes and also an early years observation related to something she's done that day - which are usually very cute and followed by photos , which we love receiving!
We look forward to seeing our child grow within this setting and would definitely recommend to other parents
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Review from Jade K (Mother of Child) published on 9 October 2026 Submitted via Website•
Overall Experience
We're so happy with the nursery and the care our twins receive. The staff are so kind, caring and welcoming, and it's lovely to see how happy and settled our twins are. We feel reassured knowing they're well looked after, learning and having lots of fun every day. We would definitely recommend the...
We're so happy with the nursery and the care our twins receive. The staff are so kind, caring and welcoming, and it's lovely to see how happy and settled our twins are. We feel reassured knowing they're well looked after, learning and having lots of fun every day. We would definitely recommend the nursery to other parents!
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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
40 Child Vacancies
Posted: 05 October 2026
Funded and private spaces available for children aged 3 months to 4 years
News (1) & Events (0)
News
05 Oct 2026
A family passion for giving children the very best start in life has blossomed into one of Shoebury's newest nurseries, with Rocking Horse Childcare putting family values, nurturing relationships and...
Upcoming Events
There are no upcoming events for Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury.
Awards / Recognitions (0)
There are currently no awards/recognitions posted yet for Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury.
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury.
Meet the Team (1)
Carla HopkinsonJob Title ManagerJoined 2026
Carla is the manager at Rocking Horse Childcare, Shoebury.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury
How much does Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury cost?
Typical fees at Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury are £80 / day (without govt. funding), calculated from data given to us by the nursery. Your final quote may vary.
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.
