Before the highways and high schools, before chain restaurants and traffic lights, there was a quiet little building tucked off Loop 494, nestled among the pine trees. It didn’t look like much, just a modest daycare run by a young dad with a big heart. But over time, that little place would grow into something extraordinary. Founded in 1970 by Jacques Verron, Rocking Horse Daycare Centers is more than just the oldest locally-owned business still operated by its original founder—it’s a generational legacy woven into the fabric of East Montgomery County. What started as a solution for working families has become a place where thousands of children have learned, laughed, and been lovingly cared for.
Back then, Jacques was a father of two who saw a need—and chose to meet it with action. Local kids had no safe place to swim, so he built a pool. That single decision became symbolic of everything Rocking Horse stands for: see the need, lead with heart, and always do what’s best for the children. Today, that same heart guides all four Rocking Horse locations—Porter, New Caney, Splendora, and Kings Manor. Each center includes a swimming pool, and every enrolled child has the opportunity to receive swimming lessons. It’s a tradition rooted in Jacques’s original vision: keep kids safe, give them more, and meet every need with care and intention. That’s the kind of thoughtfulness that threads through every part of Rocking Horse’s mission.
But the impact stretches far beyond water safety. The Verron family has deep roots in the community. Four generations are now involved with the Porter location, whether through work or enrollment. Jaques is a lifetime member of the East Montgomery County Fair Association. The Verron family continues to give back to the community and the young people currently raising animals allowing them to learn the values of responsibility, discipline, and dedication. All sports programs are also supported in addition to other community engagement efforts. Both of Jacques’s sons, Jimmy and Michael, have served on their local school boards as well. This isn’t just a business, it’s a cornerstone of the community.
Step inside any Rocking Horse Center and you’ll feel it immediately—the joy. Classrooms are vibrant, filled with laughter, play, and age-appropriate learning activities. Kids are not just watched; they’re cherished, honored, and uplifted. With over 100 staff members, some of whom have been with Rocking Horse for 10 or even 20+ years, it’s a family, both in name and in practice.
Each location is thoughtfully built on 1.5 acres to provide children with space to explore and grow. There are indoor gyms, open-air playgrounds, and a fleet of nine school buses that safely transport students to and from school or field trips. The centers even host a graduation ceremony that rivals any high school send-off, complete with caps, gowns, diplomas, slideshows, and celebrations for families to enjoy.
But make no mistake—while the heart is big, the standards are high. Rocking Horse is a proud member of Texas Rising Star, a quality rating program recognizing early learning centers that exceed state standards in health, safety, and education. Each staff member is CPR and First Aid certified, background-checked, drug-screened, and trained extensively in age-specific care, growth and development, and recognizing signs of abuse or neglect. The classrooms are clean, self-contained, and safe, with secure entry points, bathrooms with easy access for little ones, and toys and learning stations thoughtfully crafted for every age group.
Nutrition is another core value. As a participant in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Rocking Horse provides full breakfasts, hot lunches, and afternoon snacks, all balanced across a four-week rotating menu that meets daily caloric and nutritional requirements for growing minds and bodies.
More than a daycare, Rocking Horse is a true early learning center. Children are assessed on developmental milestones from birth to age four, and the curriculum is both fun and challenging—building not just academic skills, but also confidence, kindness, and a love for lifelong learning. Every day at Rocking Horse feels like a celebration of childhood—because it is.
When you walk through the doors, you’re not just enrolling your child; you’re joining a legacy built on love, learning, and community. You’re becoming part of something generations have trusted, grown up with, and come home to.
To learn more or to enroll your child in a location nearest you, visit www.rockinghorsecenters.com or call 281-354-3212. Come see why Rocking Horse is more than a daycare—it’s where childhood begins.
“Four locations, generations of care, and thousands of little lives touched—Rocking Horse isn’t just a daycare, it’s where community, tradition, and heart come together for children.”
“Rooted in love and built with purpose, Rocking Horse Daycare continues to grow children and community, side by side.”