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The nursery is divided into four main rooms, all of which are designed to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. An extended pre-school room, known as The Curiosity...
Kids Planet High Bank is an Ofsted rated 'outstanding' nursery (September 2016) situated on a working farm in the village of Stapleton, near the town of Darlington. Nursery care is provided for children aged six weeks to five years old.
The nursery is divided into four main rooms, all of which are designed to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. An extended pre-school room, known as The Curiosity Cabin, was opened in August 2021 and this is set out like a classroom to mirror the environment the children will be in when they start school. Adjoining this room is a large polytunnel which is used as a role-play and ‘small world’ area following ‘The Curiosity Approach’, which involves using natural materials and items you would normally see at home.
There is an outstanding outdoor area with a mud kitchen, children’s theatre, pirate ship and a garden for planting fruit and vegetables. There is also a forest school and a mini-farm complete with pigs, cows, hens and lambs. Outdoor play is encouraged as much as possible.
Activities in the nursery include French, forest school, football, gardening, and children are also regularly taken into the community for educational visits.
Highly qualified staff team, including early years professionals, and all staff are trained in paediatric first aid.
Grant funding for two, three and four-year-old children is available.
Type of Service
- Day Nursery
Opening Schedule
Open all yearFull days available
YesHalf day sessions offered
YesGroup / Owner
- Kids Planet Day Nurseries
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Katie England (Manager)
Number of Childcare Staff
- 27
Total Places for Children
- 140
Age Range
- from 0 years 3 months
- to 5 years 0 months
Opening Times
- Monday07:30-18:00
- Tuesday07:30-18:00
- Wednesday07:30-18:00
- Thursday07:30-18:00
- Friday07:30-18:00
When Closed
- Bank Holidays & Christmas
Funding & Fees
We don't have fee or funding details for this nursery. Contact them directly.
Contact Kids Planet High Bank to get a personalised quote:
Kids Planet High Bank Reviews (98)
Kids Planet High Bank has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.537) out of 10, based on 18 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Kids Planet High Bank has 98 reviews.
My little boy is one year old and started High Bank Nursery in January, he was naturally unsettled initially given lockdown and not really leaving my side for the first year of his life but the staff have been so amazing with him and me. Within a short space of time, he’s gone from crying his eyes...
The app is fantastic for keeping me updated in the day and is so detailed so that puts my mind at rest, it’s lovely to see the photos they upload of him having fun. I also love how the nursery have their own chef who prepares nutritious healthy meals each day. My son is a huge fan of being outdoors so I knew he would particularly love this nursery as they spend lots of time outdoors on the farm.
I would highly recommend this nursery.
Thank you for your lovely comments, much appreciated!
My youngest daughter is at High Bank Nursery and my oldest left in September to go to school. The staff are lovely and very friendly. Both of my girls have been extremely happy here and love the staff. I chose the nursery due to the great outside space and when I first visited, it really stood out...
It's great that it is situated on a farm so the children get to see the animals daily and help to collect the eggs from the chickens. I love the activities that are included, like forest school, football, music sessions. I feel that it has really helped my eldest daughter now she is at school when it comes to learning.
It's surprising how much knowledge she has which she has gained from nursery. The nursery have really worked hard to make the environment covid-19 safe, including building extra rooms so the children have more space. I feel reassured that my daughter is as safe as she can be in this current climate. I highly recommend High Bank Nursery.
Thank you for your lovely comments, much appreciated!
My child had attended three nurseries before going to High Bank and this nursery is in a completely different league. The children benefit from provisions that other settings simply cannot offer - lots of outdoor activities on the farm as well as external sources including tuition from a French...
My child had attended three nurseries before going to High Bank and this nursery is in a completely different league. The children benefit from provisions that other settings simply cannot offer - lots of outdoor activities on the farm as well as external sources including tuition from a French teacher, a Musician and a football coach at no extra cost. My child learns about wildlife, spends lots of time outdoors and does wonderful crafting activities. He adores the staff and I am extremely confident that as he is in his final months at High Bank they are preparing him well for the transition to school.
Thank you for the lovely comments, much appreciated!
Lots of variety for the children to explore and learn at this nursery. The staff are always helpful and paid particular attention to ensure my child settled well after a shaky start. Any issues raised by myself with the staff were always addressed and rectified where that was possible. Ringing to...
Lots of variety for the children to explore and learn at this nursery. The staff are always helpful and paid particular attention to ensure my child settled well after a shaky start. Any issues raised by myself with the staff were always addressed and rectified where that was possible. Ringing to check on your child is not frowned upon and really helped my anxiety in those first few weeks. The nursery's handling of the current pandemic should be applauded. I have every confidence they are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of staff and children.
Thank you for the lovely comments, much appreciated!
My daughter regularly comes home with art that she has...
My daughter regularly comes home with art that she has completed and activities that challenge her skills. I think it is fantastic.
Thank you very much for the lovely comments much appreciated
Our Daughter has been attending the nursery since she was 1, she is now 4 and still loves it. Her sister is joining her next month and we know she will love it there too. The inside is cosy and fun, the outside has amazing spaces with the parks and animals. The children spend a lot of time outdoors...
There is such a wide range of activities which are fun and educational. The teachers are brilliant with the children and make such an effort with them individually. The nursery had difficulties in Covid but have handled it as well as possible with all the changes to guidance regularly. I would recommend sending a child to this nursery for all early years education and care.
Thank you so much for the lovely reviews much appreciated
My son has been at High Bank since last September. I enrolled him there because so many people recommended and raved about the nursery. So far it has lived up to all the hype. My son has been very happy there and the communication is very good.
My son has been at High Bank since last September. I enrolled him there because so many people recommended and raved about the nursery. So far it has lived up to all the hype. My son has been very happy there and the communication is very good.
Thank you for the lovely comments much appreciated
The management at High Bank were so professional and dealt with all my queries like nothing was too insignificant. Well, when we finally moved and got to...
The management at High Bank were so professional and dealt with all my queries like nothing was too insignificant. Well, when we finally moved and got to drive up to the nursery for the first time all of my worries vanished.
The setting is just spectacular and although we couldn't enter the buildings we were shown around as much as possible and I was just blown away. The staff and children were all so happy and relaxed and friendly with both me and my child.
I couldn't have asked for more. My child is happy and gets to experience so many different things a "standard" nursery just doesn't offer. You just need to drive up to this nursery to see why we chose this above all the others we enquired about. The outdoors space is invaluable and really enjoyed by my child.
Thanks for such an amazing review, we really appreciate it.
Both of my children attend High Bank Nursery and have since they were one year old. I recommend this nursery to all of my friends. I love how much the children get plenty of fresh air, the outdoor space is brilliant; they regularly visit the farm animals, venture to the park etc. They have lots of...
A lovely nursery with lovely, friendly staff!
Thank you for your lovely comments we appreciate them
I genuinely couldn’t ask for more. I always have complete faith in the staff and have no concerns at all leaving my daughter with them. She is always happy to be left with them and happy when collected. The outdoor space is fantastic and I’m just jealous I can’t stay with her. Her day is filled...
I genuinely couldn’t ask for more. I always have complete faith in the staff and have no concerns at all leaving my daughter with them. She is always happy to be left with them and happy when collected. The outdoor space is fantastic and I’m just jealous I can’t stay with her. Her day is filled with activities and I can trust them completely with her food allergies. I’m kept up to date with what she’s been up to and how she’s progressing. The app's always up to date and I love seeing her photos.
Thank you for your lovely feedback - Zara ( Manager)
We have two children at High Bank. They are so happy there and have been since they started last September. The children were much less settled at their previous nursery but the care and attention the staff give the children makes it a brilliant environment that they are relaxed in. The activities...
We have two children at High Bank. They are so happy there and have been since they started last September. The children were much less settled at their previous nursery but the care and attention the staff give the children makes it a brilliant environment that they are relaxed in. The activities the children get to do appeal especially to our girl who loves the painting and water play. There are multiple spaces outdoors and animals to interact with. They were very fair with the policies for payment during lockdown. I would recommend the nursery without hesitation.
Thank you for your lovely review it has been a pleasure to have the children at our nursery Many thanks, Zara.
From the moment we looked around the nursery, we knew that we wanted our son to attend here. The outdoor space is amazing, and the staff are so friendly and warm. Our Son has attended High Bank since September 2019, and I couldn’t recommend the nursery enough. He has always engaged in lots of fun...
Through these uncertain times, we have been updated on the progress and safety measures in place. The nursery and staff have worked so hard to ensure that everything is as normal as possible for the children attending. Thank you!
Thank you for the lovely review - Many thanks, Zara
Couldn’t be more grateful and thankful for all the staff at High Bank, very reassuring and prepared - gone above and beyond to adapt and facilitate all the children at the nursery. My son has settled back in, and I am happy now knowing he will be as ready as possible to start school in September.
Couldn’t be more grateful and thankful for all the staff at High Bank, very reassuring and prepared - gone above and beyond to adapt and facilitate all the children at the nursery. My son has settled back in, and I am happy now knowing he will be as ready as possible to start school in September.
Hello Keilli, thanks for taking the time to leave such a lovely review; we really appreciate it.
Our daughter has been attending High Bank two days a week since the new year. We feel secure leaving her as she has settled easily into her new routine. High Bank really feels a warm, friendly, welcoming and safe environment. The staff genuinely seem to care for the children and treat them as their...
The facilities are great and clean, the classrooms offer a variety of entertaining and stimulating activities so you can be assured they are having fun whilst learning, there is even a gardening and music club. We receive weekly newsletters with an overview of the week and staff are always happy to answer any questions.
I have no hesitation recommending High Bank.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review Justine.
Fabulous nursery, my child is well cared for and all the staff are devoted to making sure they are safe and loved. My child just waves and he's gone and sometimes he wants to stay even though it's home time.
Fabulous nursery, my child is well cared for and all the staff are devoted to making sure they are safe and loved. My child just waves and he's gone and sometimes he wants to stay even though it's home time.
My son has been with High Bank now for over a month. I can not recommend the baby staff enough that have provided high standard care. Mini mums as I call them. I love that we get daily updates on the app. I can see everything I need to know about my son's day at nursery and for new mum's it's a...
My son has been with High Bank now for over a month. I can not recommend the baby staff enough that have provided high standard care. Mini mums as I call them. I love that we get daily updates on the app. I can see everything I need to know about my son's day at nursery and for new mum's it's a real delight to see my child comfortable from the first day being there.
Our little boy started at High Bank in July just after his first birthday. He’s settled in really well and seems very happy there. As first time parents, we found it really hard to find a nursery that we both felt happy with and that we felt our little one would fit into. We both felt that Highbank...
I really like that when he’s in the nursery he is looked after by the same people each time or as much as able. Our little boy can be shy so it’s great to have continuity for him.
We did baby led weaning and the nursery have embraced this and provide very good quality meals and snacks which are all nutritionally balanced and promote healthy eating.
We look forward to seeing our boy grow and develop at High Bank.
My daughter has been at the nursery for a couple of months now and she has come on so much, the first few weeks were very difficult, but the staff in Tweenies have been absolutely amazing with her. You can tell that she loves them, and she always looks happy in photos taken - which I can only...
Fantastic nursery.
Our son has recently started nursery here. Like any first-time parents we worried about making the right decision on which nursery would be best suited to our needs as a family. We cannot speak higher of High Bank. All the staff are extremely welcoming, from the moment we arrive and make our way to...
Our son has recently started nursery here. Like any first-time parents we worried about making the right decision on which nursery would be best suited to our needs as a family. We cannot speak higher of High Bank. All the staff are extremely welcoming, from the moment we arrive and make our way to the baby room we are greeted with wonderful smiles. As soon as our son is handed over he relaxes. I can tell he feels like he’s in a home away from home. We get full updates on his day’s activities, including photos, as well as an honest account of his day on collection. Like all children he gets upset, but we feel extremely grateful for the honest feedback we get (he got a little upset whilst waiting for his dinner) obviously at home he is our only child so waiting isn’t his strong point. The nursery is extremely well kept and very clean. Not to mention the fantastic facilities. I see the farmer every morning on drop off and continue to see him working hard during collection.
My little girl has been going here for nearly a year. She absolutely loves it. The baby room was fantastic with her. She was extremely premature so slightly delayed developmentally but they supported her so well. She is now in the tweenies room and the staff there are brilliant as well. I would...
My little girl has been going here for nearly a year. She absolutely loves it. The baby room was fantastic with her. She was extremely premature so slightly delayed developmentally but they supported her so well. She is now in the tweenies room and the staff there are brilliant as well. I would definitely recommend this nursery.
Thank for taking the time to leave such a nice review Nicola, we appreciate it.
Child Vacancies
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News (0) & Events (0)
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Awards / Recognitions (14)
- 31 Mar 2026Recipient: Kids Planet Day Nurseries
- 28 May 2021Recipient: Kids Planet High Bank
- 31 Mar 2020Recipient: Kids Planet High Bank
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Kids Planet High Bank.
Meet the Team (1)

I have over 10 years’ experience in early years, which covers all age groups 0-5 years. I am a level 3 childcare educator and a level 5 in Leadership...
I have over 10 years’ experience in early years, which covers all age groups 0-5 years. I am a level 3 childcare educator and a level 5 in Leadership and Management, specialising in childcare education. I am passionate about outdoor learning and environments to support children's mental health and well-being.
My role as the manager is to support and inspire the staff, families, and children to settle and flourish in a loving and exciting environment, building strong bonds, imagination, and curiosity through learning.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Kids Planet High Bank to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Kids Planet High Bank has an Enhanced Service -what an Enhanced Service includes.