Testimonials
“We couldn’t be happier with our experience at Riverside. We have three children and have had someone at the nursery for the past eight years, so we’ve seen firsthand the consistent quality of care Riverside provide. What truly sets this nursery apart is the exceptional staff. The core team, including management, have worked together for many years, creating a stability and depth of experience that you can see in everything they do. They’re not just friendly and caring, but genuinely knowledgeable professionals who work together seamlessly. This continuity means our children have benefited from consistent, high-quality care throughout their time there.
The facilities are excellent. The rooms have been thoughtfully adapted and modernised over the years and the staff do a wonderful job keeping activities fresh and engaging for the children. The outdoor space was actually one of the main reasons we chose Riverside, and we’ve been delighted by their commitment to getting the children outside in the fresh air regularly.
We’ve also been impressed by recent improvements. The Famly app has made communication so much easier for us as parents, keeping us connected to what’s happening each day. The kitchen team’s recent initiatives around menu planning and encouraging children to try new foods have been fantastic too.
We wholeheartedly recommend Riverside to any family looking for a nurturing, well-run nursery where their child will thrive.”
Siobhan (2026)
“Both of our children have been at Riverside for two years and they have both thrived since joining. The Riverside staff have such a wealth of experience and look after the children so well. The warm atmosphere is matched by the safety the children feel. The genuine care, support and love they show the children is shown through all of their interactions and so many of the staff go above and beyond every day. It can be hard to go to work knowing you’re not spending the day with your children, but knowing they are so well looked after is reassuring. We also love another particular strength which is the amount of outdoor time they get in large surrounding garden as well as the work they do with Lillyburn Care home. These experiences really add to the learning”.
Olivia (2026)
Riverside has been a part of our lives for almost 6 years now (almost another two years to go) and we could not be more happy or grateful for everything they have done for our children. The staff are incredible and form such lovely relationships with the children that you can see they genuinely care for them. Going to Riverside has been invaluable to their development, from building their confidence and social skills, as well as preparing our eldest for school. Furthermore, the food is brilliant! Our children eat better than we do and have tried meals we would never think to make. Also, the communication is great which really makes a difference.
We’re really happy we chose Riverside and know our children have been/are well looked after.
Lisa (2026)
Our wee boy has attended Riverside since he was a baby and he is about to turn 5. In that time, we have always been delighted with the care he has received. He has built great relationships with all the staff there and lovely friendships. Him and a few other children from Riverside go to a local football class at the weekend and it’s so nice to see them applying there what they’ve learned from the culture at Riverside – being kind and looking out for each other. Riverside has great ideas to help the children develop, like a link with a local care home and their nurture group. Our wee boy has loved taking part in these. We are so happy we chose Riverside and will be sad when it comes time to leave for school!
Eileen (2026)
We have been incredibly happy with our son’s experience at the nursery. He absolutely loves the food and always comes home talking about what he’s eaten, which gives us great peace of mind.
The staff are fantastic – kind, organised, and genuinely caring. They create a welcoming and supportive environment where children clearly feel safe and valued. Communication with families is excellent, and we really appreciate how well they engage with parents, from regular updates to thoughtful events like family picnics that help build a real sense of community.
The nursery provides a great learning environment that supports our son’s development while still making learning fun. We couldn’t be happier and would highly recommend the nursery to other families.
Karen (2026)
Max moved to Riverside after his old nursery closed down and we were really nervous about the move but the staff and the girls in his room were so supportive and such a lovely caring group of individuals. They helped Max settle in so well and showed him so much love and care and because of this he has came on leaps and bounds since joining. I’m always impressed every week at the different activities they come up with for the kids and the amount of time they spend in the garden getting the kids fresh air. I can’t fault anything about the nursery!
Amanda (2026)
We couldn’t be happier with our experience at Riverside Nursery. It is an incredibly nurturing environment where children’s wellbeing is genuinely at the heart of everything they do. The staff know each child so well. Their personalities, interests, and needs and this is reflected in the care and learning experiences they provide every day.
During a very difficult time for our family personally, the support we received from the nursery was exceptional. There was nothing the staff wouldn’t do to help and support not just our children, but our whole family, and we will always be grateful for the kindness and understanding they showed.
The learning environment is rich and thoughtfully planned, with inviting provocations that spark curiosity and ensure children are stimulated and supported developmentally. It is clear how much care, skill, and reflection goes into everything they do. The management team are equally supportive, approachable, and passionate about providing the very best for children and families.
We are absolutely delighted that we chose Riverside and feel incredibly lucky that both of our girls have had the opportunity to attend. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to any family.
The McDonnell Family (2026)
All three of my children have attended Riverside over the last few years and we cannot recommend them enough. The care and compassion shown by all the staff is exceptional. The nursery environment, inside and out, is set up to encourage children to learn and thrive both socially and academically. The staff are very supportive of us as parents and always happy to talk through any concerns and offer advice and support. My boys have all loved their time at Riverside and we are so grateful for the experiences provided in such a nurturing and safe environment. We will be so sad when we have to say goodbye next year.
Kathleen (2026)
From the very first day, Riverside has been nothing but friendly, welcoming, and incredibly supportive. Every member of staff goes above and beyond to create a caring environment, and their attention to detail in both daily routines and individual needs is truly outstanding. The facilities themselves are excellent – bright, well-organised, and thoughtfully set up to support learning, play, and comfort, which really adds to the positive atmosphere.
My son joined the nursery at two years old under quite stressful circumstances, and the way this was handled with such sensitivity, patience and genuine care meant the world to us. The staff took the time to really understand him, helping him settle at his own pace and making him feel safe and valued from the start. Since beginning at Riverside, he has come on leaps and bounds – emotionally, socially, and in his confidence.
They have also played a huge role in supporting his speech development, working patiently and consistently to encourage his communication. In addition, they have worked closely with us as a family to help him build a healthier, more positive relationship with food, offering reassurance, understanding, and practical support throughout.
Communication has been excellent throughout our time at the nursery. We receive regular, thoughtful updates that give us real insight into his days, progress and achievements. Any questions or concerns are always welcomed and addressed promptly, which has given us great confidence and peace of mind as parents.
Riverside is a nursery where children are truly nurtured as individuals. I cannot thank the team enough for the positive impact they have had on my son and for the support they have given us as a family. The high standard of the facilities, combined with such a caring and dedicated team, truly sets Riverside apart.
Kellyann & Jenna (2026)
Isla first started at another nursery just after her 3rd birthday but nursery beginnings didn’t go great and we found ourselves moving Isla to Riverside. Everyone was so welcoming, and informative, and from the get go we could tell how happy Isla was at Riverside; she would come home telling us about her lovely meals, and slowly she started naming different members of staff. Her key worker, Rachel, made her feel so welcome and Isla has built up a great relationship with her. Isla has also made friends at her nursery and will talk about them all the time, particularly “Darcy” who she seems to adore. All staff we have met at Riverside are lovely and Isla will happily go with any of them when she arrives which puts us right at ease! Her brother will also be starting in August 2026.
Gemma (2026)
I have every confidence in Riverside and the knowledge and experience of the staff. My children absolutely love attending, and it’s clear how well the staff know them both as individuals. The staff are incredibly attentive and accommodating to both of their personalities and needs. The activities provided are hugely beneficial, supporting not only their learning but also their confidence and sense of self. My children have developed in many aspects since attending, and my youngest has only attended for one week so far!! I couldn’t be happier with the care, nurture and support they receive.
Alana (2026)