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Find a Nursery in Dorset

4.6★ average from 378 parent reviews on Google

There are 92 Ofsted-registered day nurseries in Dorset on our register. At their latest inspection: 14 rated Outstanding, 60 rated Good, 3 currently Requires Improvement, 1 judged Inadequate — 95% of graded settings in this area are Good or better. 11 settings have already been inspected under Ofsted's new report card, which grades each area separately instead of giving a single headline word. Parents have left 384 Google reviews across 32 of these nurseries, averaging 4.6★. 62 confirm they accept government-funded hours, 38 are registered to take babies under two. Every listing shows the current Ofsted grade, opening hours, published fees and parent reviews so you can shortlist before booking a visit.

Nurseries in Dorset at a glance

Based on Ofsted's register and parent reviews for every day nursery in Dorset.

92
Ofsted-registered nurseries
95%
Good or Outstanding
4.6★
384 parent reviews
62
Accept funded hours
38
Take under-twos

Latest Ofsted grades

  • Outstanding14
  • Good60
  • Requires improvement3
  • Inadequate1

14 awaiting a first inspection or with no published grade, and 11 inspected under Ofsted's new report card.

Highest rated in Dorset

Towns & areas in Dorset

All day nurseries in Dorset

Frequently asked questions

How many day nurseries are there in Dorset?
We list 92 Ofsted-registered day nurseries in Dorset, 91 of which have a Dorset address. The list is rebuilt from Ofsted's official register, so closures and new registrations show up within a week.
Which nurseries near Dorset are rated Outstanding?
14 nurseries are currently rated Outstanding by Ofsted in Dorset, including Shaftesbury Children Centre Nursery. Outstanding is the top grade and is awarded to a minority of settings, so also compare Good-rated nurseries on hours, fees and location.
What do parents say about nurseries near Dorset?
Across 32 nurseries with enough reviews to average, parents in Dorset have left 384 Google reviews at an average of 4.6★. Individual pages show the review text so you can look for recurring themes — settling-in, communication and staff turnover are the most useful signals.
Can I use funded hours at a nursery near Dorset?
62 of the 92 nurseries in Dorset (67%) confirm they accept government-funded early years hours. Eligibility depends on your child's age and your working status — check the nursery's own page for which funding codes they take and whether they charge for consumables on top.
Which nurseries near Dorset take babies?
38 settings in Dorset are registered to care for children from under two, and baby-room places are usually the first to fill. If you need a place before your child turns one, contact several nurseries as early as you can — waiting lists of six to twelve months are common.