The 'outstanding' nursery on a farm!
High Bank is an Ofsted outstanding children’s nursery based on a farm in the village of Stapleton, on the outskirts of Darlington.
We are rated as outstanding by Ofsted and by Day Nurseries as one of the Top 20 children’s nurseries in the North of England, and we strive continuously for further improvement.
We provide care for children aged six weeks through to five years old, and are within easy reach of towns like Darlington and Richmond and outlying villages such as Blackwell, Middleton St George, Eppleby, Melsonby, Barton and Piercebridge.
Our Vision is ‘Inspiring our children for a harmonious, healthier and happier world’, and these are underpinned by our Values of ‘Trust, Belonging, Passion’.
Here are just some of the many reasons we think High Bank would be perfect for your child:
- Outstanding outdoor area with mud kitchen, children’s theatre, pirate ship and garden for planting fruit and vegetables
- Mini-farm where children can safely interact with pigs, cattle, chickens and goats
- Forest School led by a nationally accredited Forest School professional
- Highly qualified staff team includes Early Years Professional
- All staff are trained in paediatric first aid
- Our pre-school staff to children ratios are 1:8, as opposed to 1:13 in school nurseries
- Extra curriculum activities provided at no extra charge, including gardening club, football, French, German, signing tots and Forest School
- A £20 deposit secures your child’s place and this is refunded against your first invoice
- 2, 3 and 4-year-old grant funding available. This includes 30 hours’ free childcare each week and tax free childcare support.
- The nursery is perfectly situated just minutes away from the A1, A19 and A66.
Please view our outstanding Ofsted report here.
If you would like to visit High Bank to see the nursery for yourself, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on 01325 365885 or email us. You can also take a special 3D tour of the nursery above.

"The perfect nursery based on a working farm – Jane Park, parent."