5 nurseries in DT2 (Athelhampton, Puddletown, Crossways)
Every day nursery with a DT2 postcode, best rated first, and what a place costs in South West after the free hours.
Day nurseries in DT2 (Athelhampton, Puddletown, Crossways), best rated first
| # | Nursery | Ofsted outcome | Inspected | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Acorns Playgroup DT2 0JY | Outstanding | 20 June 2024 | 26 |
| 2 | Charminster Preschool DT2 9RD | Outstanding | 29 November 2022 | 34 |
| 3 | Winfrith Pre-School DT2 8JL | Good | 12 December 2024 | 18 |
| 4 | Barn Owls Nursery DT2 0HG | Good | 28 August 2024 | 30 |
| 5 | Maiden Newton Childcare Provision DT2 0AX | Good | 28 June 2023 | 20 |
How the ranking works: our ranking policy. What the grades mean: Ofsted report cards explained.
DT2 is in Dorset, covering Dorchester.
Nursery fees in DT2
What day nurseries in South West charge on average. Fees in DT2 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 DT2
The free hours follow national rules, so they are the same in DT2 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.