Play. Learn. Grow.

About Rock A Tots

Your extended family

At Rock A Tots, we are more than just a nursery—we are a family. Founded with a deep love for nurturing young children, our family-run business has grown alongside our own children, expanding to four thriving locations across Dorset and Devon.

We believe a child’s early years lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning and happiness. That’s why we create warm, loving environments where every child feels safe, valued and encouraged to explore the world around them. Our dedicated team provides high-quality childcare tailored to each child’s unique needs, working in close partnership with families to ensure a seamless home-from-home experience.

We pledge to:

Build strong, trusting relationships with parents and carers
Provide rich, engaging learning spaces designed to inspire curiosity
Prioritise health, wellbeing, and emotional security
Embrace play as the heart of all learning
Create a warm, family-like atmosphere where children feel at home
Make sustainable choices, teaching children to care for their environment
Encourage respect for nature, fostering a love for the world they will inherit.

Every child is unique, and at Rock A Tots, we nurture their individuality with love, kindness and a passion for their growth.

Our core values...

Dorset Area Manager – Anne-Marie Thomas

Anne-Marie has a BA (Hons) in Early Years and as the Dorset Area Manager, plays an integral part in each setting. Anne-Marie is responsible for ensuring that all nursery settings comply with regulatory standards and oversees the daily management of our nurseries. She works closely with nursery managers to ensure that high quality childcare is always delivered.

She is there to implement strategic initiatives and maintain a nurturing and educational environment for children. Anne-Marie supports Rock A Tots children and staff to guarantee a strong managerial team working together to provide your children with the very best care and education.

Healthy eating

We believe that healthy bodies fuel happy minds. That’s why every Rock A Tots nursery provides a nutritious, balanced diet, earning us a 5-star food hygiene rating across all locations.

Our menus run on a four-week rotation, offering freshly prepared, homecooked meals packed with essential nutrients. Our dedicated catering team is always available to discuss your child’s dietary needs, ensuring every meal is both delicious and suitable for their individual requirements.

Rock-star mealtimes

Breakfast served from 7:30am – 9:00am

Mid-morning & afternoon snacks with milk or water

Hot, nutritious lunch prepared fresh on-site daily

High tea at 4:00 pm to keep little tummies satisfied before home time

We work closely with parents to support weaning, offer special diets with natural ingredients, and provide milk feeds or prepared drinks if needed. Our experienced cooks are always on hand for individual consultations. For the current term’s menu, please ask your key worker.

Sample menu

Outdoor adventures

Fresh air, movement and hands-on exploration are essential for a child’s development. At Rock A Tots, we believe outdoor play is just as important as time spent indoors, helping children grow physically, mentally and emotionally at their own pace.

Children are natural explorers, and we nurture their curiosity by providing endless opportunities to investigate, imagine and create. Whether they’re climbing, digging, splashing, or simply observing nature, every outdoor experience supports learning in a fun and meaningful way.

Across all our nurseries, we encourage adventure and discovery through safe, supervised exploration. From hiding in bushes and balancing on tree trunks to feeding birds, gardening and playing with clay, sand, and water—our outdoor spaces inspire confidence, resilience and a deep connection to the natural world.

Preparing for school with confidence

At Rock A Tots, we know that starting school is a big milestone—for both children and parents. Our goal is to make this transition smooth by building confidence, resilience, and a love for learning.

School readiness isn’t just about academics—it’s about developing social skills, independence and curiosity. Through small group activities, we introduce early literacy, numeracy and problem-solving, while also fostering communication, self-esteem and emotional growth.

Our pre-school rooms offer enriching experiences like cookery, P.E., music, and Forest School, using our exceptional outdoor spaces to inspire learning. With the support of our dedicated team, children leave us not just ready for school but excited for the adventure ahead.

While we’re always sad to say goodbye, we take pride in knowing our little Rock Stars are prepared to spread their wings and thrive!

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Key worker pillars

Every child who visits us at Rock A Tots is unique and as such we assign them each a key worker who gets to know them as if they were part of their own family.

When assigning your child’s key worker we follow these 8 key pillars.

Personal bonding

Your child will be assigned a key person with whom to form a secure, trusting relationship.

Holistic wellbeing

Their key person will ensure your child’s needs are met with warm, meaningful interactions.

Safe & secure environment

This strong attachment will help your child feel safe, leading to better early learning outcomes.

Home-nursery connection

This relationship will help your child transition smoothly between home and nursery.

Triangle of trust

Builds strong connections between nursery, parent, and child.

Individual attention

They will focus on your child’s strengths, offering nurturing and personalised support.

Seamless transitions

Your key person will support handovers and milestones, working towards key developmental goals.

Regular feedback

As a parent or carer you will receive updates through face-to-face interactions, EY reports, parents’ evenings and an open-door policy.