Kids Planet High Bank

Cleasby Road, Stapleton, Darlington DL2 2QE
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8.8 87 Reviews
  • Kids Planet High Bank, Darlington
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.
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Funding & Fees

Various funding accepted (15 and 30 hours). We offer . Sibling discount, NHS discount, Tax Free Childcare. Rates vary by location/nursery setting.
Please get in touch with the nursery for our most up to date fees and availability.

Contact Kids Planet High Bank to get a personalised quote.

Contact Kids Planet High Bank to get a personalised quote.

Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

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

  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Kids Planet High Bank Reviews (87)

8.8

Kids Planet High Bank has a Review Score of 8.8 (8.767) out of 10, based on 7 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Kids Planet High Bank has 87 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 86
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Date Published
  • 87
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Total of 87, showing 81-87
Review from Sarah C (Mother of Child) published on 1 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I never hesitate to recommend to family and friends. Lovely nursery, lovely management and staff and fab location. Has a wonderful feel to the nursery as soon as you walk in and my daughter has come along leaps and bounds since starting at Highbank in October 2016. Weekly updates about what the children
have learnt every week are detailed and informative. My daughter even wants to go to nursery on her days off! Food is prepared fresh every day and a lot of the time the children help to make it from vegetables grown on the farm (which makes it educational too) and serve it themselves. It is good to know that my daughter is getting a good healthy meal when she is at nursery and trying new things.
Reply from Hayley Grainger at Kids Planet High BankWhat a lovely review Sarah, thank you so much.
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Review from Katie W (Mother of Child) published on 1 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff at High Bank Nursery create a wonderful warm welcoming environment, my little boy loves going to nursery, they do lots of activities throughout the day and he is always happy and content when I collect him at the end of the day. We love that the nursery is on a farm and the outdoor areas for
the children are fantastic. Nothing is ever too much trouble for the staff. I would highly recommend High Bank to any other parents.
Reply from Hayley Grainger at Kids Planet High BankThank you Katie, that's very kind of you.
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Review from Michelle R (Mother of Child) published on 1 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has attended High Bank for a year and we are thoroughly impressed with the nursery, the effort the staff put in is second to none and he has come on so well.


We looked around many nurseries when deciding where he should go, he was only 6 months old and it was a very upsetting time for me

but from the moment we arrived at High Bank we knew it was right and it was such a relief, we have never doubted our decision.
Reply from Hayley Grainger at Kids Planet High BankThanks for the lovely review Michelle.
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Review from Karina D (Mother of Child) published on 31 May 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
High Bank has allowed my daughter to flourish into a happy and (cheeky) toddler. The staff at the nursery ensure a smooth handover each morning when I leave my daughter. She never cries and looks at me as if to say "haven't you gone yet mum!"


Nutrition is important to our family and High Bank provide

a varied and balanced diet. I love the daily reports given to me at the end of the day, and I can take my daughter home knowing she's been looked after with the utmost care and respect during the day.


Children are encouraged to be children at High Bank. To learn and explore through all their senses and to be inquisitive. Perfect for stimulating little minds and creating big adventures.


I feel extremely fortunate to have our daughter attend High Bank Nursery. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

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Review from Emma (Mother of Child) published on 4 April 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Whenever anyone asks for a nursery recommendation I suggest they have a look at High Bank and go and visit the setting for themselves.
The staff at high bank are amazing, they really care about your child as an individual.
Activities here are amazing, our little girl does so much during her time
at nursery and loves telling us what she has been up to. Every day there is something different to keep the children engaged and interested to learn.
The outdoor space is brilliant and there is no where else quite like it in the area.
We really couldn't ask for a better nursery for our daughter, she has come on so much since starting here and that's all thanks to the amazing ladies who work there and the fabulous activities that are provided daily!
Overall 10/10 from us and would highly recommend to anyone looking for a nursery setting.
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Review from Craig T (Father of Child) published on 20 November 2015 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Ever since our first visit to High Bank, we've been impressed with the professional and friendly staff. My son has now been going to the nursery since July and he has settled so easily, making our move to the area that little bit easier. The staff work very hard to ensure every day is fun and exciting
for all the children. The location and facilities are excellent. This is a very happy nursery, what more could a parent want?
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Review from Helen B (Mother of Child) published on 19 October 2015 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Highbank nursery has looked after both of my children from baby to toddler. The nursery has provided an exciting and incredibly caring environment in which both of my children have flourished. Both of my children have loved being there and always come home in a lovely mood (although shattered!!). As
a parent I have loved the idea of my children being part of a working farm!
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Current Review Score: 8.8 (8.767)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.8 (8.767) out of 10 for Kids Planet High Bank is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 7 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 3.9 out of 5 from 7 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.917 for Kids Planet High Bank is calculated as follows: ( (77 Excellents x 5) + (7 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 84 Ratings = 4.917
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 3.85 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Kids Planet High Bank is based on 7 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 = 3.6
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 140 number of registered child places is 28. 7 Positive Reviews ÷ 28 = 0.25
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (13)

Meet the Team (1)

Katie

Katie England

Job Title: Nursery Manager

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 - more info.