Best nurseries in Rochester
23 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools in Medway, 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 | City Way Day Nursery Full day care · 78 places · ME1 2AB | Outstanding (2025) |
| 2 | Nuffy Bear Day Nursery - Medway Full day care · 25 places · ME2 2SS | Outstanding (2024) |
| 3 | Castle View Day Nursery Ltd Full day care · 70 places · ME2 3PP | Outstanding (2022) |
| 4 | Smilers Ltd Full day care · 70 places · ME2 4JY | Good (2024) |
| 5 | St Nicholas Playgroup Full day care · 35 places · ME2 4TR | Good (2024) |
| 6 | St Mary's Day Nursery Full day care · 40 places · ME2 4DG | Good (2024) |
| 7 | Cherubs Montessori Day Nursery Full day care · 75 places · ME2 3PP | Good (2024) |
| 8 | St Luke's Pre-School (Rochester) Sessional day care · 30 places · ME1 2BQ | Good (2024) |
| 9 | Kloisters Day Nursery and Pre-School Full day care · 87 places · ME1 2UR | Good (2024) |
| 10 | 2J's Pre-School Full day care · 60 places · ME2 2LH | Good (2024) |
| 11 | Rainbows Day Nursery Full day care · 30 places · ME2 4JA | Good (2024) |
| 12 | ABC Pre-School Group Sessional day care · 23 places · ME1 3AT | Good (2023) |
| 13 | Witty Kiddies Strood Full day care · 55 places · ME2 3BA | Good (2023) |
| 14 | Phoenix Education Day Nursery Full day care · 73 places · ME2 4DZ | Good (2023) |
| 15 | Jack and Jill Playgroup Sessional day care · 45 places · ME2 3HN | Good (2022) |
| 16 | Little Explorers Full day care · 58 places · ME1 3EJ | Report card: 1 strong, 4 expected (Nov 2025) |
| 17 | Top of the Hill Pre-school Ltd Sessional day care · 44 places · ME1 2NB | Report card: 4 expected, 1 needs attention (Jan 2026) |
| 18 | Eden Childcare Nursery and Preschool Full day care · 27 places · ME2 2HG | Not yet inspected |
| 19 | Little Thinkers at All Faiths Full day care · 19 places · ME2 4UF | Not yet inspected |
| 20 | Mini Treasures Day Nursery Full day care · 36 places · ME1 3JS | Not yet inspected |
| 21 | Rochester Preschool Full day care · 34 places · ME1 3DG | Not yet inspected |
| 22 | SENter Light Childcare Full day care · 18 places · ME2 3EJ | Not yet inspected |
| 23 | The Nest Nursery Full day care · 38 places · ME1 2QA | Not yet inspected |
How much does nursery cost in Rochester?
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 Rochester?
Of 23 nurseries and pre-schools in Rochester, 3 have Ofsted's top results (Outstanding, or mostly strong or exceptional on the new report card). Listed first: City Way Day Nursery, Nuffy Bear Day Nursery - Medway, Castle View Day Nursery Ltd.
How much does nursery cost in Rochester?
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 Rochester?
23 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 17 of them inspected so far.
Nurseries nearby
Chatham · Gillingham (Medway) · Hoo St Werburgh · Rainham · Strood · Frindsbury · High Halstow · Settington · Walderslade
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.