Rocking Horse Childcare
Shoebury
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Shoebury Nursery, Delaware Road, Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS3 9NS
“Nurturing curiosity, confidence, and creativity through nature and play.”
Beach Schools • Healthy Eating • Froebelian PrinciplesOpening Hours
We are open all year round (apart from between Christmas and New Year). Our opening hours are below. Note that we do not charge for the days we are closed.
| Day / Period | Opening Times | Status | Schedule Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 07:30 – 18:00 | Open All Year | Open 51 weeks per year for full day and sessional care |
| Weekends | Closed | Closed | No weekend sessions |
| Bank Holidays & Christmas | Closed | No Charge | Closed between Christmas & New Year (not invoiced) |
Standard Fees (All Ages)
Below are our standard fees, which apply to all age groups.
| Session | Start-End | Price | Included in fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Day | 08:00 – 18:00 | £80 | Breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, tea |
| Short Day Option 8-4 | 08:00 – 16:00 | £72 | Breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack |
| Short Day Option 9-5 | 09:00 – 17:00 | £75 | Morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, tea |
| Early Morning | 07.30 – 08:00 | £8.00 | N/A |
| Additional Hours | Minimum 1 hour | £10 | Breakfast or tea, if applicable |
| Term-time 8-1 | 08:00 - 13:00 | £45 | Breakfast, morning snack, lunch |
| Term-time 1 - 6 | 13:00 - 18:00 | £40 | Afternoon snack, tea |
Please note:
- Included in our fees are nutritious meals prepared fresh by our chef, disposable nappies, nappy cream, wipes, and extracurricular activities.
- Fees are due on the 1st of every month, a month in advance. We are an all-year-round nursery, open Monday to Friday for 51 weeks per year. We are only closed on bank holidays and between Christmas and New Year (you are not invoiced for these days).
- We accept payment through bank transfer, childcare vouchers, and tax-free childcare (we do not accept cash or cheque).
- Sessions are fixed and unchangeable.
- There is a non-refundable registration fee of £60.00.
- We also accept work voucher schemes (Edenred, Computershare etc.) and the Tax Free Childcare scheme.
Funding & Eligibility
Children aged 9 months and over – Working Parent Entitlement
Working parents can get a funded childcare space for 30 hours a week for their children. Both the parent and any partner must each expect to earn at least £167 per week (or the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage). Parents can check eligibility and apply for free childcare. Once approved, they will receive a code to give to their childcare provider.
2-Year-Old Economical Entitlement
Parents may be eligible for a funded 15-hour place for their 2-year-old if they receive certain government financial support and their household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax. Check the eligibility criteria for free early education and childcare for 2-year-olds. Applications can be submitted through the Southend Citizen's Portal to confirm eligibility and obtain an approved application number.
3- and 4-Year-Old Universal Funding Entitlement
All families in England with 3- and 4-year-old children can get up to 15 hours of free childcare or early education per week. This entitlement is available to all families, regardless of income or working status, and is designed to support children's early learning and development.
Contribution Fees
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.
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.
Should you choose to opt out of contributions, your child will still be entitled to their funded hours; however, their access will be limited to the core, basic provision only. This means that they would not be included in any of the listed activities or resources beyond what is covered by the funding itself.
“Every child deserves the best possible start in life and support to fulfil their potential.”
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