What sets Riverbank Nursery apart
Monday 23 February 2026 | By Erin McKeownRiverbank Nursery
Teesside High School welcomed prospective families to its first Riverbank Nursery Open Day on Saturday 7 February, offering an exclusive preview of the new facility ahead of its formal launch later this spring.
Riverbank Nursery combines the warmth and intimacy of a specialist Early Years setting with the strength, stability and educational excellence of an established independent school, setting this provision apart from others of its kind.
The nursery is a welcoming and enriching environment where young children will be supported to grow, explore and thrive, building strong foundations for lifelong learning.
The vision is clear and purposeful: to nurture confident, curious and kind individuals who take delight in discovering the world around them. Every aspect of daily life at Riverbank Nursery is thoughtfully considered to celebrate individuality, ignite curiosity and inspire a lasting love of learning.
To achieve this, the setting has developed its own bespoke curriculum which draws on the best elements of a variety of early years philosophies and embraces seven areas of development: Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language, Physical Development, Understanding the World, Expressive Arts and Design, Mathematics and Literacy.
These components are embedded in five additional aims that truly set this provision apart, the Riverbank Roots.
Riverbank Roots
The five Riverbank Roots underpin the curriculum and reflect what we value most.
Encouraging Kindness, Empathy and Resilience – We support children to grow into kind, empathetic and resilient individuals who make positive contributions and develop an early understanding of the wider world.
Engaging with Nature – Connecting with the natural world is central to life at Riverbank Nursery. Through outdoor learning and exploration, children develop curiosity, awe and a deep appreciation for nature.
Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle – Children are supported to develop healthy habits through active play, balanced routines and an age-appropriate understanding of wellbeing, self-care and physical development.
Developing a Love of Books, Stories and Language – We place great value on storytelling, books and rich language experiences, inspiring a genuine love of reading and communication that supports learning across all areas.
Fostering Environmental Awareness – We encourage children to develop respect for the environment and an understanding of how their actions can help care for the world around them.
By embedding these elements into the curriculum for children from just six months old, the school aims to replicate what it does best: laying strong foundations for lifelong learning, confidence and achievement.
Riverbank Nursery is more than childcare; it is the very beginning of an exceptional journey.
