Food
Meals and snacks are provided fresh fruit and veg from our vegetable garden by our cooks
Riverside Nursery in Lower Darwen
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Sept 2022)
Number of places
82 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2022
Local authority
Blackburn with Darwen
About this day nursery
Riverside Nursery, situated in Lower Darwen, provides care for children ranging from 3 months up to school age. The nursery emphasises a stimulating environment where children feel loved and nurtured, promoting learning through continuous play.
The facilities are purpose-built and designed for each age group, including a cosy baby suite, an imagination-inspiring area for 2-3 year olds, and a flexible space for 3-5 year olds that can transform into a classroom to prepare children for school. The nursery also features extensive outdoor play areas with various toys and a climbing frame, as well as a vegetable patch where children can pick fresh fruit and vegetables for healthy meals and snacks.
In addition to a focus on child development through play and healthy eating, Riverside Nursery prioritises child welfare with secure entrances, a collection policy, password systems, CCTV, regular risk assessments, and staff who are all enhanced DBS checked and trained in paediatric first aid. Located in a private and secure area with parking, the nursery is easily accessible from the M65 and major routes from Darwen and Blackburn.
Children aged 3 and above also have the opportunity to access swimming lessons at the on-site swimming academy.
Our ethos
We provide a safe and stimulating environment where children feel loved and nurtured, with opportunities to learn through continuous play. Our staff are dedicated to providing the best childcare in our day nursery. We follow the EYFS framework and use the key worker system to develop strong relationships with children and families. Every activity at Riverside Nursery is designed to help your children grow, from storytime to playtime in our outdoor play area. We are firm believers in the power of play and allow children’s interests to dictate their learning.
What it's like
Children thrive at this exceptional, caring nursery, where they are excited and motivated to learn. They quickly become engrossed in the well-resourced environments on offer in each room. Children are exceptionally well-behaved at this nursery and show care for one another, helping with challenging tasks.
Play-based learningEYFS frameworkSecure environmentOutdoor play areaOn-site swimming academy
Pricing & funding
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Request pricing →Key facts
Opening hours
7.30am - 5.45pm
Age range
3 months to school age
Term time / All Year
All Year
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Riverside Nursery
Last inspected 28 September 2022
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
What it's like to attend
Children thrive at this exceptional, caring nursery, where they are excited and motivated to learn. They quickly become engrossed in the well-resourced environments on offer in each room. Children are exceptionally well-behaved at this nursery and show care for one another, helping with challenging tasks.
Inspector highlights
- The nursery is led by a well-qualified, highly aspirational manager who reflects on practice continuously to ensure the best outcomes for children.
- The manager is inspirational in her leadership of this setting and her care for the staff and children is shown in the happiness of all who attend.
- Staff model excellent communication skills to children by using clear and concise language and consistently introduce new vocabulary into children's play.
- Children display exceptionally high levels of independence in this nursery, serving themselves at lunchtime and putting on their own coats and shoes.
- All children benefit from warm relationships with their key person and transitions between rooms are handled excellently.
Inspection #10235111 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents and carers are incredibly complimentary about the nursery and staff.
They talk about the warm greetings they receive at drop-off time, and the sensitive help staff provide if they notice children are tired or tearful.
They comment that communication is wonderful and that they always feel fully updated about their child's progress.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make excellent progress in every area as the curriculum on offer is individualised for each child.
Outdoor space
Children's understanding of the world flourishes in the rich environment of the garden. They dig, plant and water the flowers and vegetables, and talk to each other about the smell of the flowers, which helps them begin to understand the natural world.
Parent Reviews of Riverside Nursery
5.0
(3)
Colin Young
a year ago
One of my granddaughters went too this nursery, and another one is still there, it is absolutely the BEST, absolutely no doubt, go down too pick my granddaughter up and all you see are smiling happy children, just as it should be, the staff are FIRST CLASS.
Read on Google
First Qibla Tours
9 years ago
Top people to deal with
Read on Google
nina bowker
2 months ago
We had an amazing experience with this nursery from when Annie started at the age of 8 months old until she turned 3. The staff are kind, nurturing, and professional, and they created a safe, happy environment where she truly thrived. Communication was excellent, the activities were engaging and age-appropriate, and our daughter loved going every day. We are incredibly grateful for the care and support they gave her and would highly recommend this nursery to any parent.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Riverside Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2022
Date: November 2011
- September 2022Outstanding
- October 2016Good
- April 2013Good
- November 2011Good
Frequently asked about Riverside Nursery
About the setting
Riverside Nursery registered in 2007 and is situated in the Lower Darwen area of Blackburn. The setting opens Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year, with the exception of bank holidays, from 7.30am until 5.45pm. The setting employs 25 members of childcare staff, with one holding early years teacher status, six at level 6, and 16 at level 3. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.
- URN
- EY357087
- Registered person
- Riverside Nursery (Lower Darwen) Limited
- Day care type
- Full day care
- Register
- Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
- Establishment type
- Childcare on non-domestic premises
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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more