Welcome to
Rocking Horse Childcare
Hello, and welcome to Rocking Horse Childcare. We’re delighted that you’re interested in our nursery. We are a small, family-run nursery that is invested in our families, children and local community. Please feel free to look over our website, social media or, better still, come and see our lovely setting in action.
We are so proud of our safe, nurturing rooms, all-weather ethos and outdoor beach schools, qualified yoga and dance sessions, and even our commercial kitchen with an in-house chef preparing delicious home cooked meals. Wondering if we’re the right fit for you? Don’t take it from us, read what our wonderful families have to say:
"The top 2 reasons for me choosing ROCKING horse childcare were how on point the safeguarding is and the delicious home cooked meals they receive. Knowing my son is safe, well-fed and cared for gives me enormous peace of mind. The dance, yoga sessions and other activities are also a much-welcomed bonus."
"We are very lucky to have found Rocking Horse to look after our baby. They are professional, knowledgeable, and the level of passion they show for building a nurturing environment for children is impressive. It's obvious to us that the management as well as the practitioners, truly care about childcare. Children also benefit from cooked-from-scratch nutritious meals, which we get updated about every day via the app."
"My son has been attending Rocking Horse since 2023, and I cannot rate them highly enough. Every day, he goes in happy and leaves smiling. All the staff are amazing, nurturing, and truly caring about the children. My son has multiple allergies, and their chef personally caters to his needs with home-cooked meals. Management has done a fantastic job creating a nursery that maintains such a personal touch."
"As most parents we spent a lot of time looking for a suitable place for our child to attend. After finding Rocking horse and speaking with them, we have been blown away. Not only do they provide top-notch childcare and push the children's development they have also helped us when needed. Amazing place and equally amazing staff, and our child is always buzzing every day she gets to go there."
Vision and Aims
Our vision is to provide a safe, stimulating and nurturing environment through high quality care, where all children thrive. Our setting works closely with our community, local agencies and families to ensure children are supported, cared for and grow into happy, successful individuals. We follow a child-centred approach with a curriculum closely linked to Froebelian principles, where we aim to instil a love of learning and creativity, whilst ensuring that the children's well-being is central to everything we do. We aim to:
- Provide equal opportunities for all, allowing every child in our care the opportunity to thrive.
- Work closely with our families, staff and community to ensure all children are safe and supported, not just whilst in our care, but in their home environments too.
- Ensure all staff feel valued and have the appropriate training, engaging regularly in continual professional development, to ensure children are consistently receiving the highest possible care.
- Prioritise and nurture positive relationships with children, staff and families.
- Support children in developing life skills such as: independent thinking, communication, imagination, creativity and self-regulation.
- Establish multi-agency links, network and share good practice.
- Are adaptive to the ever-changing needs of children based on community changes and government initiatives.
- Have a solid understanding of current environmental challenges on our planet and adopt an eco-friendly approach, to protect our children’s future.
- Value the importance of play with an ethos of interaction, not interfering, providing opportunities for intense interaction.
- Ensure our environments are always enabling, including outdoors, to facilitate children’s exploration and natural curiosity.
Values
Our 'We Rock' core values are at the heart of everything we do:
W - Well-being: we feel safe, happy and comfortable.
E - Enjoy: we are engaged in our activities and ‘have fun’ whilst learning.
R - Respect: we have a culture of tolerance, understanding and equality.
O - Opportunity: we are provided with experiences to explore and grow.
C - Communication: we have the tools we need to share and receive
information.
K - Kindness: we care for ourselves, the environment and those around us.
About Us
Rocking Horse Childcare is a family-run day nursery in the heart of Southend. We are a mother and daughter team, from childminding and teaching backgrounds, with over 40 years of experience in Early Years, between us. We are passionate, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable about children’s care, learning and development. Having gained years of experience individually, we attended University together and both gained our BA (Hons) in Early Years Education. Since then, Lisa (Owner and Mother) went on to open a childminding business that become the start of the Rocking Horse Childcare nursery journey. Whilst Aimée (Manager and Daughter), continued in education, completing a QTS and PGCE, gaining valuable experience teaching children in Primary School.
Our staff strive to ensure that environments are enabling for all children that attend. They do this through carefully planning and arranging the space to meet the needs of the children. By following the key-person approach, staff build positive relationships with their key-children and families to better support learning and development and provide consistency. We recognise that every child is unique, and our dedicated team of staff work closely with our SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Development Coordinator), ENCo (Equality Needs Coordinator), Family Liaison Coordinator and local agencies including the setting health visitor, to ensure the children and families receive the best possible support.
Who's Who
Lisa D'Auria
Owner
My name is Lisa, and I've worked in Early Years for the past 30+ years. I have a BA (Hons) Early Years Education and a Level 3 in Education and Training. I am mum to two daughters (one is the manager) and a nan to my beautiful granddaughter. I have worked in various roles across Early Years, including a speech and language nursery nurse in the NHS, a coordinator in nursery rooms and I have specialised in working with children with SEND. Most recently, I was a childminder and am now the proud owner of Rocking Horse Childcare nursery, alongside my husband. In my spare time I like sewing, spending time with my two dog and family.
Aimée Casson
Manager
I'm Aimée, and I'm the manager of the setting. I was previously a primary school teacher and have over 10 years experience in the Early Years and Education sector. During that time, I have achieved a Level 3 in Early Years, a BA (Hons) in Early Years Education, a QTS and PGCE. I am mum to a beautiful 1-year-old daughter, who attends the setting with me. In our spare time, my husband and I enjoy going to the beach and the park with our daughter and spending time with family.
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FAQs
What hours are you open?
Our opening hours are Monday to Friday, between 07:30 and 18:00.
Are you open all year round?
We are open all year, except for bank holidays and between Christmas and New Year.
Do you accept funding?
Yes, we accept 15/30 hour funding, we stretch the funding throughout the whole term.
Do you accept childcare vouchers?
Yes, we do, please contact us to see which companies we are registered with.We also accept tax free childcare.
Do you charge when you're closed?
No, we do not charge for days we are closed, for instance bank holidays.
Do you follow a safe recruitment process?
Yes all our staff are required to have a DBS (disclosure barring service) check and our recruitment process requires face to face interview and trials.We require a minimum of two references and checks on certificates and qualifications.
How do we ensure the safety of children in our setting?
Our staff carry out daily risk assessments in each room, these checks are carried out at the start of the morning session and at the end of the day as well on an adhoc basis when required (when going on outings, for example).Our fire system is checked every six months and serviced annually.For safety we have CCTV recording inside and out of the premises.
How are fees invoice and paid?
Fees are due monthly in advance and are emailed and available through the Famly app.The invoice is itemised with each session with details of funding or discounts applied so it is clear what the fees are for.All prices include snacks, meals disposable nappies, nappy cream and wipes (unless specific branded nappies and cream are needed).Fees can be paid by bank transfer (bank details can be found on your invoice).