5 nurseries in DT1 (Dorchester, Poundbury)
Every day nursery with a DT1 postcode, best rated first, and what a place costs in South West after the free hours.
Day nurseries in DT1 (Dorchester, Poundbury), best rated first
| # | Nursery | Ofsted outcome | Inspected | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Robins Nursery DT1 1EB | Strong standard in 5 of 6 | 8 December 2025 | 15 |
| 2 | Sunny Day Nursery & Play Club DT1 3WA | Good | 24 October 2024 | 170 |
| 3 | The Grove Pre-School Playgroup DT1 2LA | Good | 9 November 2023 | 21 |
| 4 | Summertime Nursery & Preschool DT1 2ET | Good | 2 August 2023 | 35 |
| 5 | Chipmunks Day Nursery DT1 2BS | Requires improvement | 24 September 2025 | 153 |
How the ranking works: our ranking policy. What the grades mean: Ofsted report cards explained.
DT1 is in Dorset, covering Dorchester.
Nursery fees in DT1
What day nurseries in South West charge on average. Fees in DT1 itself can sit above or below this.
| Child's age | 25 hours a week | 50 hours a week |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2 | £181no funded hours | £145after 30 funded hours |
| 2 years old | £165no funded hours | £133after 30 funded hours |
| 3 to 4 years old | £61after the free 15 hours | £122after 30 funded hours |
Regional average, not any one nursery's price. Source: Coram Childcare Survey 2026. Work out your own monthly cost.
30 hours free childcare in DT1
The free hours follow national rules, so they are the same in DT1 as anywhere in England. Every day nursery listed here is registered with Ofsted, which is what a nursery needs to offer them.
| Who | Free hours a week |
|---|---|
| Working parents, child from 9 months | 30 hours |
| Every 3 and 4 year old | 15 hours |
| 2 year olds in families getting some benefits | 15 hours |
Nursery list and inspection outcomes from Ofsted's register of childcare providers, as at 30 June 2026.
Fees shown are regional averages from the Coram Family and Childcare Survey 2026, not any one nursery’s price. Confirm with the nursery before enrolling.
Eligibility rules are the government’s (childcarechoices.gov.uk). Whether a nursery offers the funded hours, and what it charges for meals and consumables, is the nursery’s decision; ask for its funded-hours terms in writing.