Which pre-schools in DT1 are rated Outstanding?

Pre-schools rated Outstanding within 5 miles of DT1 include Charminster Preschool. Check each one's latest Ofsted report, as grades can change at the next inspection.

Do pre-schools in DT1 offer funded childcare?

Most nurseries in England offer government-funded hours: 15 hours for all 3 and 4-year-olds, and up to 30 hours for eligible working parents of children from 9 months. Ask each one which funded sessions they have space for and what extra costs apply.

How do I choose between pre-schools in DT1?

Start with ones close to home or on your way to work, check their Ofsted grade and the ages they take, then visit two or three. Ask about staff ratios, the daily routine, settling in, meals and fees.

Pre-schools in DT1

There are 10 pre-schools registered with Ofsted within 5 miles of DT1, Dorchester, and 8 of them are rated Good or Outstanding. Compare inspection reports, the ages they take, opening hours and how far they are from you.

Pre-schools: 10
Outstanding: 1
Good: 7
After-school clubs: 1

Find your best match

Distance

Child's age

Ofsted rating

Some settings do not publish age ranges and are excluded by this filter. Select Any age to see them and ask each setting which ages it accepts.

Directory listingDorchesterDorset · DT1 2LA

Dorchester, Dorset

The Grove Pre-School Playgroup

The Grove Pre-School Playgroup, The Bungalow · DT1 2LA

Under 0.1 miles from DT1

OfstedGoodNov 2023Full day care21 places

A full day care nursery in Dorchester, rated Good by Ofsted in November 2023. Registered for 21 places and run by The Grove Pre-School Playgroup Committee.

Ages: 0 – 5 years
Hours: Ask the nursery

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Directory listingDorchesterDorset · DT1 2ET

Dorchester, Dorset

Summertime Nursery & Preschool

Thomas Hardye School, Queen's Avenue · DT1 2ET

0.4 miles from DT1

OfstedGoodAug 2023Full day care35 places

A full day care nursery in Dorchester, rated Good by Ofsted in August 2023. Registered for 35 places.

Ages: 0 – 5 years
Hours: Ask the nursery

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Directory listingDorchesterDorset · DT1 1QA

Dorchester, Dorset

Dorchester Community Nursery School

York Road, Dorchester · DT1 1QA

0.5 miles from DT1

OfstedGoodNov 2021Sessional32 places

A sessional nursery in Dorchester, rated Good by Ofsted in November 2021. Registered for 32 places and run by Dorchester Community Nursery School Association Committee.

Ages: 0 – 5 years
Hours: Ask the nursery

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Directory listingDorchesterDorset · DT1 2BS

Dorchester, Dorset

Chipmunks Day Nursery

6 HERRINGSTON ROAD, DORCHESTER · DT1 2BS

0.5 miles from DT1

OfstedRequires improvementSep 2025Full day care153 places

A full day care nursery in Dorchester, rated Requires improvement by Ofsted in September 2025. Registered for 153 places and run by Chipmunks Day Nursery Ltd.

Ages: 0 – 8 years
Hours: Ask the nursery

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Directory listingDorchesterDorset · DT1 1EB

Dorchester, Dorset

Little Robins Nursery

Sunninghill Preparatory School Ltd, South Court · DT1 1EB

0.6 miles from DT1

Inspected December 2025Full day care15 places

A full day care nursery in Dorchester, last inspected by Ofsted in December 2025. Registered for 15 places and run by Sunninghill School Limited.

Ages: 0 – 5 years
Hours: Ask the nursery

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Directory listingPoundburyDorchester · DT1 3WA

Poundbury, Dorchester

Sunny Day Nursery & Play Club

Middle Farm Barn, Middle Farm Way · DT1 3WA

0.7 miles from DT1

OfstedGoodOct 2024Full day care170 places

A full day care nursery in Dorchester, rated Good by Ofsted in October 2024. Registered for 170 places and run by Sunny Day Nurseries Limited.

Ages: 0 – 8 years
Hours: Ask the nursery

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Directory listingCharminster St. Mary'sDorchester · DT2 9RD

Charminster St. Mary's, Dorchester

Charminster Preschool

St. Marys C of E VC First School, West Hill · DT2 9RD

1.5 miles from DT1

OfstedOutstandingNov 2022Full day care34 places

A full day care nursery in Dorchester, rated Outstanding by Ofsted in November 2022. Registered for 34 places and run by Charminster Preschool Committee.

Ages: 0 – 5 years
Hours: Ask the nursery

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Directory listingPuddletownDorchester · DT2 8FZ

Puddletown, Dorchester

Puddletown Pre-School

Puddletown First School, Dorchester Road · DT2 8FZ

4.7 miles from DT1

OfstedGoodOct 2022Sessional24 places

A sessional nursery in Dorchester, rated Good by Ofsted in October 2022. Registered for 24 places and run by Puddletown Playgroup Committee.

Ages: 0 – 8 years
Hours: Ask the nursery

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Directory listingLittlemoor & PrestonWeymouth · DT3 6BH

Littlemoor & Preston, Weymouth

Preston Pre-School Ltd

Preston Village Hall, Preston Road · DT3 6BH

4.7 miles from DT1

OfstedGoodMay 2023Full day care30 places

A full day care nursery in Weymouth, rated Good by Ofsted in May 2023. Registered for 30 places and run by Preston Pre School Limited.

Ages: 0 – 8 years
Hours: Ask the nursery

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Directory listingUpwey & BroadweyWeymouth · DT3 5AJ

Upwey & Broadwey, Weymouth

Scallywags Child Care Centre

Wey Valley Campus, Dorchester Road · DT3 5AJ

4.9 miles from DT1

OfstedGoodDec 2024Full day care78 places

A full day care nursery in Weymouth, rated Good by Ofsted in December 2024. Registered for 78 places and run by Scallywags Childcare Centre Limited.

Ages: 0 – 8 years
Hours: Ask the nursery

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Childcare in DT1 at a glance

Inspection results: 8 of the 10 pre-schools within 5 miles of DT1 (80%) were rated Good or Outstanding at their latest graded Ofsted inspection: 1 Outstanding and 7 Good.
Ages taken: 10 list babies under 2, 10 take 2 to 3-year-olds, 10 take 3 to 5-year-olds. Registered age ranges are a guide, so check the room your child would join with each setting.
Funded hours: Working parents apply for funded hours on GOV.UK. For the 15 hours for eligible 2-year-olds, contact Dorset's Family Information Service.

Read our guides to choosing a nursery and funded hours