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Scallywags Nursery Hornchurch
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Childcare Hornchurch

Welcome to Scallywags Nursery Hornchurch

Where every child’s journey is as unique as they are

At Scallywags Nursery, we believe childhood should be filled with curiosity, discovery, and joy. Every child is unique — and so is their learning journey. Our role in the Early Years is to meet each child’s individual needs, helping them grow in confidence and independence, while setting ambitious goals for every stage of their development.

Our heart beats to the rhythm of the Forest School ethos — it’s what makes us different, grounded, and special. Nature is our classroom, and every stick, puddle, and leaf is a new opportunity to learn, explore, and wonder.

We know there’s no “one-size-fits-all” in Early Years, which is why our curriculum blends the best of:
🌱 In the Moment Planning – following each child’s lead and interests. 🕯️ Hygge – creating calm, cosy, and nurturing spaces. ✨ The Curiosity Approach – inspiring awe, wonder, and imagination.

Together, these create a learning environment that is flexible, child-led, and full of joy — one that helps every child thrive, naturally. Individual needs met. Natural curiosity nurtured. Learning that lasts.

We hope this website gives you a sense of who we are, what we believe in, and the kind of nurturing environment we offer. If you’d like to know more, please feel free to get in touch or visit us — we’d love to show you around and answer any questions you may have.

Affordable Fees

At Scallywags we strive to offer affordable and competitively priced childcare. We close for one week at Christmas (Christmas Eve – 6th January) which we do not charge you. Fees are paid a month in advance and are due the first of every month. Payment includes any allocated sessions from which your child may be absent. Unfortunately, days in lieu cannot be given.
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Our Aims

At Scallywags we promote creativity and give children the opportunities to be imaginative and critical thinkers. We strive to help children develop confidence and independence and develop a positive attitude to learning.We promote high standards of behaviour and help children to understand their own and each other’s feelings
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Forest School

Forest school, which started in Scandinavia and made its way over to the UK during the 90’s, is all about enabling children the freedom to explore and experience the natural world through hands on experiences outdoors. When it comes to forest school sessions it’s about the whole child and developing their social, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
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Why choose Scallywags Nursery?

Our Location & Community

Scallywags Nursery, Hornchurch is located within 4 minutes walking distance from Hornchurch station. Our detached converted house represents a home from home environment, allowing easy transition for children when entering into childcare.

Outdoor Leaning Environment

We are very lucky to have a large garden, which is available in all weather conditions due to the large Gazebo offering shelter from the sun and rain and artificial grass. These areas are fully enclosed and safe for our children allowing free-flow play throughout the day.

Healthy Eating

We believe that healthy eating from an early age is extremely important as it is a time for growth and a time to develop positive attitudes towards food. This is why at Scallywags we ensure mealtimes are happy, social times, where all children and staff sit down together.

Scallywags is a sanctuary - for the children AND the parents! 😂 We are so thankful to have found this incredible forest school for our son. I could never have dreamed of finding such an enriching programme for his early years development, led by incredibly dedicated and experienced staff. No question to silly, no doorstop chat too long. The fact that our son gets to explore nature every day and learn so much about the world has allowed his confidence and communication to soar and we are so proud of his development and thankful to Scallywags for such a wonderful safe and secure learning environment for him. We are sending our 2nd when they arrive…we love it so much - we’ve already secured their Jan 2027 spot! ☺️ Thank you Scallywags team!
Joanna Marie C.2025
Joanna Marie C.
Scallywags is the perfect Nursery for our son, and I always recommend to my friends. My son has attended since he was 14 months old, and is now 3. From Ducklings (The baby room), to Butterflies (Pre-School) and every room inbetween, every member of staff has been caring and exceptional. Our son has completely grown into his own since being at Scallywags and really thrives in the outdoor learning setting. Each key worker that our son has been assigned, has always gone above and beyond to answer any questions and deal with any concerns we have. We are forever grateful for their support and care.
Hayley R.2025
Hayley R.
We could not wish for a better nursery for our daughter and cannot recommend Scallywags enough! The attention to detail in every single planned activity is second to none, with daily trips to the forest and local town (fire station, library etc) and opportunities to join the children for parent breakfasts/events. We are always updated throughout the day with lots of photos of the activities on the app and it’s evident our daughter is having the best time! The staff always go above and beyond, and show such care and attention to the children, we couldn’t ask for more!
Laura C.2025
Laura C.
My 15 month old son is absolutely thriving at Scallywags. They keep you updated throughout the day, all the staff are all lovely and so helpful and feels more like a family atmosphere there than a workplace for them. I am so happy I put my Son there and recommend it to everyone when they ask about nursery recommendations.
Kelly P.2025
Kelly P.
I had the most amazing experience with this nursery! I drove 15 minutes just to go to this nursery and still do now passing so many nursery’s on the journey but for me I would drive an hour to still send my little 1 here. I looked at so so many and chose scallywags through seeing it and recommendation. My little 1 went from 1-4 years old and thrived in everything and learnt so much when he started and throughout. My 2nd baby has now started and I’m just as happy if not more. The staff are beyond kind and caring and so so hard working. It’s like a family in there. Thank you for your continuous hard work team scallywags.
Louise H.2025
Louise H.
Scallywags is an amazing nursery, my son is absolutely thriving there the care and attention the staff show is second to none, he has been there for nearly 2 years now and there has been no staff turnover which says a lot about the nursery environment! Excellent nursery and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to family and friends! Thank you Scallywags team!
Killy M.2025
Killy M.
"Scallywags is in a league of its own. The level of engagement, fun, attention and care the children receive is outstanding! I cannot recommend them enough!"
Stephanie G.2025
Stephanie G.
"The best nursery for our little girl and we can’t wait for our new baby to start as we know he’ll be in the best hands ❤️ forever grateful to all the wonderful staff ❤️"
Lee and Georgina2025
Lee and Georgina
"Cannot recommend this nursery enough, they go above and beyond not only for the children but also the families. Just had a Mother Day afternoon tea and it was so thoughtful and was lovely meeting the other mums and children from my sons class. Thank you Scallywags"
Hayley R.2024
Hayley R.
“The staff are all very welcoming, friendly and warm, always smiling!”
Parent2022
Parent
“The extra activities are great! It's one of the reasons I moved my son to this nursery”
Parent2022
Parent
“The provision is exceptional. Great variety for the children”
Parent2022
Parent
“Absolutely love this part (forest school ethos) of the nursery’s offering, my child really enjoys this and confidence has developed so much through the forest ethos and regular outings in the community”
Parent2022
Parent
“I think the nursery goes above and beyond to make the educational experience for the children well rounded.”
Parent2022
Parent
“A fantastic well organised place for children to learn in a fun and loving environment. I highly recommend.”
Parent2022
Parent
“The nursery care about the children and are very imaginative with their play time”
Parent2022
Parent
“I am so glad that Scallywags has been a part of both of my boys’ early years & I wouldn’t want them to go anywhere else. I have every faith in the staff’s ability to provide a safe, friendly and welcoming setting :-)”
Parent2022
Parent
“Love everything about the nursery. Love it - very glad we chose the setting.”
Parent2022
Parent
“Couldn’t wish for a better place to leave her when I’m at work, I really struggle leaving her and have so much guilt that I have to work but knowing she’s cared for and loved makes it so much easier for me and her.”
Parent2022
Parent
“We couldn't be happier with our experience at Scallywags! All of the staff that we've met at Scallywags have been so friendly & it creates a really nice environment”
Parent2022
Parent
“Scallywags is a brilliant nursery following a forest ethos which we love. We was recommended and would ourself recommend to anyone”
Parent2022
Parent
“Thank you all for everything that you all do, trusting others with our most precious little people can be so hard but you make it easier by being a kind, caring and fun bunch.”
Parent2022
Parent
“We have been using Scallywags for almost four years, and our children love attending. They have made wonderful friendships and have progressed beyond their peers who do not attend. As parents we are often in awe of the activities available.”
Parent2022
Parent
“We have been using Scallywags for almost four years, and our children love attending. They have made wonderful friendships and have progressed beyond their peers who do not attend. As parents we are often in awe of the activities available.”
Parent2022
Parent
“A caring, stimulating, fun environment for my daughter with friendly, approachable, competent staff. Going to Scallywags has helped my daughter's development enormously (particularly with her speech).”
Parent2022
Parent
“Friendly, fun nursery which takes good care of children making them feel safe and enables them to be independent.”
Parent2022
Parent
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