Childcare in Dorset
Nurseries, childminders, fees and Ofsted ratings — computed from the official register.
298
Providers
186
Nurseries
16.3%
Outstanding
—
Avg fee
Top-rated nurseries in Dorset
- REDACTEDREDACTED · Outstanding
- Kids Love Nature Kindergarten LytchettPoole · Outstanding
- Charminster PreschoolDORCHESTER · Outstanding
- Pamphill Pre School NurseryWimborne · Outstanding
- Rainbow's End Montessori SchoolFERNDOWN · Outstanding
- REDACTEDREDACTED · Outstanding
- Kids Love Nature Kindergarten at Avon HeathRINGWOOD · Outstanding
- REDACTEDREDACTED · Outstanding
- REDACTEDREDACTED · Outstanding
- Blandford Opportunity GroupBlandford Forum · Outstanding
- REDACTEDREDACTED · Outstanding
- REDACTEDREDACTED · Outstanding
Funded 15 & 30 hours childcare in Dorset
In England, working families can get 15 hours of funded childcare a week from 9 months old, rising to 30 hours from September 2025, during term time (38 weeks a year). All 3–4-year-olds get at least 15 universal funded hours regardless of parents' work status, and some 2-year-olds qualify through additional support schemes.
Funded hours are used at participating nurseries and childminders — each profile on this page shows whether a setting has funded 2-year-old and 3–4-year-old places registered. Check eligibility and apply via GOV.UK childcare eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nurseries are there in Dorset?
Dorset has 298 registered childcare providers: 186 nurseries and 112 childminders.
How good are nurseries in Dorset?
16.3% of rated providers in Dorset hold an Outstanding grade (33 Outstanding, 167 Good).
Can I use funded 15/30 hours childcare in Dorset?
Yes — eligible families can use government-funded childcare hours at participating providers in Dorset. Each provider profile shows funded place availability where known.
Inspection data sourced from Ofsted (England), Care Inspectorate (Scotland), and CIW (Wales), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. NurseryMatch is independent of Ofsted, the Care Inspectorate, CIW, and the UK Government.