Rocking Horse Day Nursery
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A day nursery in Towcester for children from birth to 5, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in August 2022. Open since 1997, with 64 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in West Northamptonshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in West Northamptonshire from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
NN12 8FRWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 31 August 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are warmly welcomed into the nursery by friendly staff who show a genuine interest in them. They develop strong relationships with staff and seek them out for support and comfort. This helps children to feel safe and secure.
Children are curious as they explore a wide range of toys and activities. For example, together they successfully build castles with wooden blocks. They share ideas and make suggestions, listening to one another's thoughts and opinions, which shows care and consideration for their peers. Children demonstrate positive, friendly behaviours. They engage visitors in conversations about their recent holidays. Children have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe as they remind each other of the rule to walk inside.
Outdoors, children enjoy exploring the large inviting garden. They develop their physical skills as they negotiate obstacles, play chase and use ride-along cars.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- enhance the use of stories and books throughout the setting to support children's love of books and reading.
- 31 August 2022Good
- 22 August 2013Outstanding
- 28 January 2009Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Rocking Horse Day Nursery
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.