Best nurseries in Dorchester (Dorset)
6 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools in Dorset, 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 | Little Robins Nursery Full day care · 15 places · DT1 1EB | Report card: 4 strong, 1 expected (Dec 2025) |
| 2 | Sunny Day Nursery & Play Club Full day care · 170 places · DT1 3WA | Good (2024) |
| 3 | The Grove Pre-School Playgroup Full day care · 21 places · DT1 2LA | Good (2023) |
| 4 | Summertime Nursery & Preschool Full day care · 35 places · DT1 2ET | Good (2023) |
| 5 | Dorchester Community Nursery School Sessional day care · 32 places · DT1 1QA | Good (2021) |
| 6 | Chipmunks Day Nursery Full day care · 153 places · DT1 2BS | Requires improvement (2025) |
How much does nursery cost in Dorchester (Dorset)?
Typical weekly nursery prices for a child under two in South West, 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 Dorchester (Dorset)?
There are 6 nurseries and pre-schools in Dorchester (Dorset); listed first: Little Robins Nursery, Sunny Day Nursery & Play Club, The Grove Pre-School Playgroup.
How much does nursery cost in Dorchester (Dorset)?
In South West, a part-time place (25 hours a week) for a child under two typically costs £181 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 Dorchester (Dorset)?
6 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 6 of them inspected so far.
Nurseries nearby
Bridport · Ferndown · Weymouth · Wimborne Minster · Beaminster · Chickerell · Corfe Mullen · Upton (Dorset) · Yetminster · Blandford · Corfe · Lytchett · Sturminster · Westham
Neighbourhoods
Dorchester East · Dorchester North · Poundbury & Dorchester West
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.