Best nurseries in Dartford
27 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, best Ofsted result first: the latest report card or overall grade, then the most recent inspection. Childminders are not listed (Ofsted does not publish their addresses).
| # | Nursery | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bright Beginnings Full day care · 66 places · DA1 2JT | Outstanding (2024) |
| 2 | Peterpan Pre-School Sessional day care · 26 places · DA2 7RB | Good (2025) |
| 3 | West Hill Life Ltd Full day care · 25 places · DA1 1DE | Good (2025) |
| 4 | Christchurch Pre-School (Dartford) Ltd Sessional day care · 40 places · DA1 3DH | Good (2025) |
| 5 | Rainbow Day Nursery Full day care · 124 places · DA1 2LP | Good (2024) |
| 6 | St Andrews Playgroup Sessional day care · 30 places · DA1 1RF | Good (2024) |
| 7 | Broomhill Playgroup Full day care · 30 places · DA1 3HT | Good (2024) |
| 8 | St. Michaels Pre School Sessional day care · 30 places · DA2 7EG | Good (2024) |
| 9 | Star Kids Children's Nursery Full day care · 32 places · DA1 1BE | Good (2023) |
| 10 | Highfield Road Pre-school Sessional day care · 34 places · DA1 2JY | Good (2023) |
| 11 | Little Gem's Childcare Full day care · 20 places · DA1 1QT | Good (2023) |
| 12 | Bright Horizons Springfield Lodge Dartford Day Nursery and Preschool Full day care · 144 places · DA1 1NT | Good (2023) |
| 13 | The Chapel Nursery Full day care · 74 places · DA1 2GA | Good (2023) |
| 14 | Star Day Nursery Full day care · 68 places · DA1 1RX | Good (2023) |
| 15 | The Winning Child Nursery Full day care · 70 places · DA2 6DA | Good (2022) |
| 16 | Fleet Day Nursery Full day care · 40 places · DA2 6JX | Good (2022) |
| 17 | Cuddles Pre-School Sessional day care · 42 places · DA2 6JZ | Good (2022) |
| 18 | Bright Horizons Wilmington Day Nursery and Preschool Full day care · 97 places · DA2 7EU | Good (2021) |
| 19 | Toybox Pre-School Full day care · 26 places · DA1 3NG | Good (2021) |
| 20 | Twinkletoes Preschool Full day care · 24 places · DA2 7AZ | Good (2021) |
| 21 | Milestones Day Nursery Full day care · 65 places · DA1 5XW | Report card: 2 expected, 3 needs attention (Nov 2025) |
| 22 | Happy Orkids at Dartford Limited Full day care · 59 places · DA1 5QB | Not yet inspected |
| 23 | Inspire Sport Skills Ltd Dartford Bridge Sessional day care · DA1 5GB | Not yet inspected |
| 24 | Kip McGrath Dartford Full day care · DA1 1LU | Not yet inspected |
| 25 | Stagecoach Dartford Sessional day care · DA1 5TF | Not yet inspected |
| 26 | Starkidsstedmunds Nursery Sessional day care · 30 places · DA1 5ND | Not yet inspected |
| 27 | The Brent Pre School Sessional day care · 40 places · DA1 1XF | Not yet inspected |
How much does nursery cost in Dartford?
Typical weekly nursery prices for a child under two in South East, from the Coram Childcare Survey 2026. A guide only: ask each nursery for its own fees.
Working parents in England can get 30 funded hours a week in term time from when their child is 9 months old, so a 25-hour place can cost little or nothing in term time. Every 3 and 4 year old gets at least 15 funded hours. Funded hours cover 38 weeks a year; nurseries can charge for extra hours, meals and activities. Check what you can get at Childcare Choices.
Questions
What are the best nurseries in Dartford?
Of 27 nurseries and pre-schools in Dartford, 1 have Ofsted's top results (Outstanding, or mostly strong or exceptional on the new report card). Listed first: Bright Beginnings, Peterpan Pre-School, West Hill Life Ltd.
How much does nursery cost in Dartford?
In South East, a part-time place (25 hours a week) for a child under two typically costs £202 a week without funded hours (Coram Childcare Survey 2026). Working parents can get 30 funded hours a week in term time from 9 months.
How many nurseries are there in Dartford?
27 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 21 of them inspected so far.
Nurseries nearby
Swanscombe · South Darenth and Sutton at Hone · Stone (Dartford) · Fleet Estate · Marshes · West Hill
Neighbourhoods
Brent & Fleet Estate · Central Dartford & West Hill · Heath · Newtown · Temple Hill & Marshes · Tree Estate · Wilmington & Hawley
Source: Ofsted early years inspections. Ofsted's report card (from November 2025) grades curriculum, achievement, behaviour, children's welfare and leadership as exceptional, strong, expected, needs attention or urgent improvement; earlier inspections gave one overall grade.