Best nurseries in Sturminster
7 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 | Stalbridge Pre-School Full day care · 42 places · DT10 2LP | Outstanding (2022) |
| 2 | Pamphill Pre School Nursery Full day care · 25 places · BH21 4EE | Outstanding (2022) |
| 3 | Stepping Stones Pre-School Sessional day care · 20 places · DT10 1BZ | Good (2023) |
| 4 | Sturminster Marshall Pre-School Sessional day care · 32 places · BH21 4AY | Good (2023) |
| 5 | Little Owls Pre-School and Nursery Sessional day care · 16 places · BH21 5AU | Good (2022) |
| 6 | Jungle Hut Pre School Full day care · 18 places · DT10 1PZ | Good (2022) |
| 7 | The Old School Nursery Full day care · 59 places · DT11 9LB | Good (2022) |
How much does nursery cost in Sturminster?
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 Sturminster?
Of 7 nurseries and pre-schools in Sturminster, 2 have Ofsted's top results (Outstanding, or mostly strong or exceptional on the new report card). Listed first: Stalbridge Pre-School, Pamphill Pre School Nursery, Stepping Stones Pre-School.
How much does nursery cost in Sturminster?
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 Sturminster?
7 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 7 of them inspected so far.
Nurseries nearby
Bridport · Dorchester (Dorset) · Ferndown · Weymouth · Wimborne Minster · Beaminster · Chickerell · Corfe Mullen · Upton (Dorset) · Yetminster · Blandford · Corfe · Lytchett · Westham
Neighbourhoods
Sturminster Marshall & Crichel · Sturminster Newton & Stalbridge
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.