--- title: "92 Day Nurseries in Dorset, 14 Outstanding | Nursery Advice" description: "Compare 92 day nurseries in Dorset: 14 Ofsted Outstanding, 4.6★ from 384 parent reviews, fees and hours." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "logo": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/__l5e/assets-v1/18ee05cb-93ee-4d8a-b535-85644088f16f/nursery-advice-social-share.png", "sameAs": [ "https://twitter.com/nurseryadvice" ], "contactPoint": { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "customer support", "email": "hello@nurseryadvice.co.uk", "areaServed": "GB", "availableLanguage": [ "English" ] } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Nurseries", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nurseries" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "South West", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nurseries/south-west" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Dorset", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nurseries/south-west/dorset" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "How many day nurseries are there in Dorset?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which nurseries near Dorset are rated Outstanding?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What do parents say about nurseries near Dorset?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I use funded hours at a nursery near Dorset?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which nurseries near Dorset take babies?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) [Home](/) › [Nurseries](/nurseries) › [South West](/nurseries/south-west) › Dorset # 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 - Outstanding 14 - Good 60 - Requires improvement 3 - Inadequate 1 14 awaiting a first inspection or with no published grade, and 11 inspected under Ofsted's new report card. ### Highest rated in Dorset - [Happy Days Nursery and Pre-school](/nursery/happy-days-nursery-and-pre-school-bh31-6ht-2790491) · 4.7★ (12) - [Wimborne First School & Nursery](/nursery/360-sports-bh21-4fw-2693940) · 5.0★ (11) - [Shaftesbury Children Centre Nursery](/nursery/shaftesbury-children-centre-nursery-sp7-8pz-2535359) · Ofsted Outstanding · 4.8★ (8) ## Towns & areas in Dorset - [ Weymouth 9 nurseries ](/nurseries/south-west/dorset/weymouth) - [ Dorchester 8 nurseries ](/nurseries/south-west/dorset/dorchester) ## All day nurseries in Dorset - [Allsorts](/nursery/allsorts-dt4-0hs-ey463901) · WEYMOUTH - [Allsorts](/nursery/allsorts-dt4-0rh-ey296685) · WEYMOUTH - [Allsorts Brackenbury](/nursery/allsorts-brackenbury-dt5-1jn-ey538676) · PORTLAND - [Archbishop Wake Nursery](/nursery/archbishop-wake-nursery-dt11-8sw-2848515) · Blandford Forum - [Archway Nursery School](/nursery/archway-nursery-school-dt11-8tx-2845785) · Blandford Forum - [ASC Portland](/nursery/asc-portland-dt5-1sa-2728463) · Portland - [Barn Owls Nursery](/nursery/barn-owls-nursery-dt2-0hg-ey361933) · Dorchester - [Bizzybeez Childcare](/nursery/bizzybeez-childcare-ltd-bh16-6fe-2755348) · Poole - [Blossom Childcare Nature Nursery](/nursery/blossom-childcare-nature-nursery-limited-bh20-7bd-2605945) · Wareham - [Blossoms Day Nursery](/nursery/blossoms-day-nursery-bh21-3le-2501807) · Corfe Mullen - [Bovington Nursery](/nursery/bovington-nursery-bh20-6fd-ey540642) · Bovington - [Bradpole Preschool](/nursery/bradpole-preschool-dt6-3dt-ey358101) · Bridport - [Busy Bees Day Nursery at Weymouth](/nursery/busy-bees-day-nursery-at-weymouth-dt4-9tt-ey435250) · Weymouth - [Charminster Preschool](/nursery/charminster-preschool-dt2-9rd-ey337568) · DORCHESTER - [Cherry Tree Montessori Nursery](/nursery/cherry-tree-montessori-nursery-bh24-2hp-2646034) · Ringwood - [Chipmunks Day Nursery](/nursery/chipmunks-day-nursery-dt4-9pj-ey454944) · Weymouth - [Chipmunks Day Nursery](/nursery/chipmunks-day-nursery-dt1-2bs-ey454946) · DORCHESTER - [Chrysalis Montessori Nursery](/nursery/chrysalis-montessori-nursery-bh21-2hn-ey479461) · Wimborne - [Chuckles Day Nursery](/nursery/chuckles-day-nursery-dt4-9sy-140989) · Weymouth - [Colehill Nursery](/nursery/colehill-nursery-bh21-2lz-ey296236) · WIMBORNE - [Explorers Childcare Group](/nursery/explorers-childcare-group-bh19-2pw-ey543323) · Swanage - [Ferndown Day Nursery](/nursery/ferndown-day-nursery-bh22-9bg-2660806) · Ferndown - [Flying Start Nurseries](/nursery/flying-start-nurseries-sp7-8ae-ey344676) · Shaftesbury - [Focus Nursery School](/nursery/focus-nursery-school-bh20-4ph-ey309109) · Wareham - [Fontmell Magna Under Fives](/nursery/fontmell-magna-under-fives-sp7-0pf-ey413949) · SHAFTESBURY - [Forget Me Not Day Nursery](/nursery/forget-me-not-day-nursery-dt9-4eq-2623955) · Sherborne - [Happy Days Nursery and Pre-school](/nursery/happy-days-nursery-and-pre-school-bh31-6ht-2790491) · Verwood - [Happy Feet Nursery & Pre-School](/nursery/happy-feet-nursery-pre-school-bh21-2dt-2794925) · Wimborne - [Haylands](/nursery/haylands-dt5-2bd-ey337262) · Portland - [Holwell Nursery School](/nursery/holwell-nursery-school-dt9-5lp-139383) · Sherborne - [Jack and Jill Day Nursery](/nursery/jack-and-jill-day-nursery-bh21-3lb-ey481633) · WIMBORNE - [Jelly Babies Day Nursery](/nursery/jelly-babies-day-nursery-dt4-7lq-140994) · Weymouth - [Judy's House](/nursery/judy-s-house-ltd-bh21-1ee-2693295) · Wimborne - [Jumping Beans Pre-School Portland](/nursery/jumping-beans-pre-school-portland-dt5-2da-140995) · PORTLAND - [Jungle Hut Pre School](/nursery/jungle-hut-pre-school-dt10-1pz-141105) · Sturminster Newton - [Kaleidoscope Day Nursery](/nursery/kaleidoscope-day-nursery-dt9-3dr-ey411243) · SHERBORNE - [Kids Love Nature Kindergarten at Avon Heath](/nursery/kids-love-nature-kindergarten-at-avon-heath-bh24-2dh-ey449312) · RINGWOOD - [Kids Love Nature Kindergarten Lytchett](/nursery/kids-love-nature-kindergarten-lytchett-bh16-6je-ey561513) · Poole - [KingsWood Day Nursery](/nursery/kingswood-day-nurseries-limited-sp6-3dn-ey280673) · Fordingbridge - [Ladybirds Playschool](/nursery/ladybirds-playschool-ltd-bh16-5ja-ey465769) · Upton - [Leweston School](/nursery/leweston-school-dt9-6en-ey308762) · SHERBORNE - [Little Acorns Playgroup](/nursery/little-acorns-playgroup-dt2-0jy-ey281575) · Dorchester - [Little Beans Daycare](/nursery/little-beans-daycare-limited-dt4-9th-2729099) · Weymouth - [Little Birds Pre-school](/nursery/little-birds-pre-school-bh19-1qe-2634135) · Swanage - [Little Firs Day Nursery](/nursery/little-firs-day-nursery-dt4-0qf-141017) · Weymouth - [Little Gems (Dorset)](/nursery/little-gems-dorset-limited-sp8-4lt-2748470) · Gillingham - [Little Robins Nursery](/nursery/little-robins-nursery-dt1-1eb-2813369) · Dorchester - [Lower Covey](/nursery/lower-covey-limited-dt9-6lj-2836189) · SHERBORNE - [Maiden Newton Childcare Provision](/nursery/maiden-newton-childcare-provision-dt2-0ax-ey493345) · Dorchester - [Mini Munchkins Day Nursery And After School Club](/nursery/mini-munchkins-day-nursery-and-after-school-club-bh21-3hu-2502785) · Wimborne - [Muddy Monkies](/nursery/muddy-monkies-dt11-9hn-2556170) · Blandford Forum - [Muddy Munchkins Forest Nursery](/nursery/muddy-munchkins-forest-nursery-bh22-8ss-ey562917) · Ferndown - [Orchard Day Nursery](/nursery/orchard-day-nursery-bh31-7pg-ey309359) · VERWOOD - [Pamphill Pre School Nursery](/nursery/pamphill-pre-school-nursery-bh21-4ee-144301) · Wimborne - [Panda Pre-School](/nursery/panda-pre-school-dt11-7sn-ey435384) · Blandford Forum - [Pear Tree Nursery and Pre-School](/nursery/pear-tree-nursery-and-pre-school-dt9-4dn-2836190) · Sherborne - [Preston Pre-School](/nursery/preston-pre-school-ltd-dt3-6bh-ey474916) · Weymouth - [Radipole Preschool](/nursery/radipole-preschool-dt3-5ex-141000) · WEYMOUTH - [Rainbow's End Montessori School](/nursery/rainbow-s-end-montessori-school-bh22-8qe-ey344005) · FERNDOWN - [River House Nursery](/nursery/river-house-nursery-bh21-1nn-2743632) · Wimborne - [Rock A Tots UK Westmoors](/nursery/rock-a-tots-uk-limited-westmoors-bh22-0jw-2630235) · Ferndown - [Sandford St Martin's Nursery School](/nursery/sandford-st-martin-s-nursery-school-cic-bh20-7aj-ey486962) · Wareham - [Scallywags Child Care Centre](/nursery/scallywags-child-care-centre-dt3-5aj-ey384987) · WEYMOUTH - [Shaftesbury Children Centre Nursery](/nursery/shaftesbury-children-centre-nursery-sp7-8pz-2535359) · Shaftesbury - [St Andrews Pre-School](/nursery/st-andrews-pre-school-dt6-3bj-139362) · Bridport - [St John's Pre-School](/nursery/st-john-s-pre-school-bh21-1lq-ey362707) · WIMBORNE - [Stalbridge Pre-School](/nursery/stalbridge-pre-school-dt10-2lp-ey419797) · Stalbridge - [Stower Vale Pre-School](/nursery/stower-vale-pre-school-sp8-5lx-139377) · Gillingham - [Summertime Nursery & Preschool](/nursery/summertime-nursery-preschool-dt1-2et-ey493659) · Dorchester - [Sunbeams Shillingstone](/nursery/sunbeams-shillingstone-dt11-0tx-2659314) · Blandford Forum - [Sunny Day Nursery & Play Club](/nursery/sunny-day-nursery-play-club-dt1-3wa-ey216520) · DORCHESTER - [Sunny Days Bridport](/nursery/sunny-days-bridport-dt6-3qe-2858068) · Bridport - [The Ark Child Okeford](/nursery/the-ark-child-okeford-dt11-8el-141096) · BLANDFORD FORUM - [The Barn Nursery School](/nursery/the-barn-nursery-school-bh21-7be-144321) · Wimborne - [The Caterpillar Club](/nursery/the-caterpillar-club-bh22-9fb-144322) · FERNDOWN - [The Chapel In The Valley Pre School](/nursery/the-chapel-in-the-valley-pre-school-bh21-3ey-ey490001) · Wimborne - [The Children's House Montessori Nursery](/nursery/the-children-s-house-montessori-nursery-bh21-3px-ey479463) · Wimborne - [The Elves and Fairies Woodland Nursery](/nursery/the-elves-and-fairies-woodland-nursery-bh21-5rf-ey422487) · WIMBORNE - [The Grove Pre-School Playgroup](/nursery/the-grove-pre-school-playgroup-dt1-2la-139370) · Dorchester - [The Little Elves and Fairies Woodland Nursery](/nursery/the-little-elves-and-fairies-woodland-nursery-bh22-0nf-2726043) · Ferndown - [The Little Learners Nursery](/nursery/the-little-learners-nursery-bh24-2ph-2532842) · Ringwood - [The Old School Nursery](/nursery/the-old-school-nursery-dt11-9lb-ey445921) · Blandford - [Tops Day Nurseries - Corfe Mullen](/nursery/tops-day-nurseries-corfe-mullen-bh21-3hd-ey459134) · WIMBORNE - [Tops Day Nurseries - Wareham](/nursery/tops-day-nurseries-wareham-bh20-4ax-144329) · Wareham - [Tops Day Nurseries - Wimborne](/nursery/tops-day-nurseries-wimborne-bh21-2bx-156231) · Wimborne - [Tops Gillingham](/nursery/tops-gillingham-sp8-4fa-2649112) · Gillingham - [Verwood Day Nursery](/nursery/verwood-day-nursery-ltd-bh21-6rs-ey425643) · Wimborne - [Wimborne First School & Nursery](/nursery/360-sports-bh21-4fw-2693940) · Wimborne - [Wimborne Kindergarten](/nursery/wimborne-kindergarten-bh21-1hq-ey540893) · Wimborne - [Winfrith Pre-School](/nursery/winfrith-pre-school-dt2-8jl-153448) · Dorchester - [Winterborne Stickland Nursery School CIO](/nursery/winterborne-stickland-nursery-school-cio-dt11-0nn-2853153) · Blandford Forum - [Wonderland Day Nursery and Pre-school](/nursery/wonderland-day-nursery-and-pre-school-dt6-3rr-2852065) · Bridport ## 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. [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/) The independent UK nursery directory. Built with Ofsted data, kept current weekly. 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