Best nurseries in Ferndown
8 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 | The Caterpillar Club Full day care · 22 places · BH22 9FB | Outstanding (2025) |
| 2 | Rainbow's End Montessori School Full day care · 27 places · BH22 8QE | Outstanding (2024) |
| 3 | Parley Community Pre School Sessional day care · 30 places · BH22 8SQ | Report card: 5 strong (Nov 2025) |
| 4 | Ferndown Day Nursery Full day care · 45 places · BH22 9BG | Good (2023) |
| 5 | The Barn Nursery School Full day care · 20 places · BH21 7BE | Good (2023) |
| 6 | Hopscotch Preschool Sessional day care · 68 places · BH22 8XH | Good (2023) |
| 7 | Muddy Munchkins Forest Nursery Full day care · 30 places · BH22 8SS | Good (2021) |
| 8 | Happy Feet Nursery & Pre-School Full day care · 50 places · BH21 2DT | Not yet inspected |
How much does nursery cost in Ferndown?
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 Ferndown?
Of 8 nurseries and pre-schools in Ferndown, 3 have Ofsted's top results (Outstanding, or mostly strong or exceptional on the new report card). Listed first: The Caterpillar Club, Rainbow's End Montessori School, Parley Community Pre School.
How much does nursery cost in Ferndown?
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 Ferndown?
8 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 7 of them inspected so far.
Nurseries nearby
Bridport · Dorchester (Dorset) · Weymouth · Wimborne Minster · Beaminster · Chickerell · Corfe Mullen · Upton (Dorset) · Yetminster · Blandford · Corfe · Lytchett · Sturminster · Westham
Neighbourhoods
Ferndown Town · Ferndown West & Canford Bottom · Parley & Hampreston
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.