Area avg from
£30/day*
Little Robins Nursery - Sunninghill
Sunninghill Preparatory School Ltd, South Court, South Walks Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1EB
Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum Capacity 82 Limited spaces
Town childcare guide
Nurseries in Dorchester
Dorchester, the county town of Dorset, sits on rising ground south of the River Frome and north of the South Dorset Ridgeway. Poundbury extends the town westwards, while Fordington lies east of the historic centre, giving Dorchester a clearly defined mix of historic and newer residential areas within Dorset Council.
Childcare numbers for Dorchester
Daily fees range
£30
Per day
Outstanding nurseries
1
50% of nurseries
Funded childcare
1
50% offer funding
Total nurseries
2
Across Dorset
Top nurseries
View all Top nurseries in Dorchester
Showing 1–2 of 2 selected nursery listings · 2 total in this area.
From
£30/day
Little Robins Nursery - Sunninghill (Previously Sunninghill Nursery)
Sunninghill Preparatory School, South Walks Road, Dorchester DT1 1EB, United Kingdom
Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum Capacity 45 Spaces available
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Nursery cost calculator
How to Calculate Nursery Fee in Dorchester?
Get a quick estimate of what childcare could cost your family each week and month in Dorchester.
1
Your childcare week
Set the schedule you need.
2
Child and daily fee
Your local average, matched to their age.
Dorchester average
£30/day
3
Likely support
Choose the support you expect to use.
Before support
£390
per month
Likely support
£0
per month
You pay
£390
per month
Estimated cost in Dorchester
£90/week
· £4680/year
Based on the area average of £30/day
Estimates based on average UK nursery rates (Coram Childcare Survey 2024). Actual fees vary by provider and registration costs.
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Funded childcare guide
How to Apply for Funded Childcare in Dorchester?
The nursery postcode districts currently represented on this page map to Dorset Council. Your home postcode determines which council handles your application.
Visit Dorset CouncilPostcodes: DT1
Helpful answers
Nursery questions in Dorchester
Which postcode covers nurseries in Dorchester?
DT1 is the main postcode district for Dorchester, covering the town centre and Dorchester addresses including Poundbury and Fordington.
Is Poundbury included on the Dorchester nursery page?
Yes. Poundbury is an extension of Dorchester and forms the Dorset Council Dorchester Poundbury ward, so it belongs within the Dorchester location page.
Is Fordington part of Dorchester?
Yes. Fordington lies immediately east of central Dorchester and forms part of the town, including areas around High Street Fordington and the River Frome.
Who manages funded childcare in Dorchester?
Dorset Council administers funded early education and childcare for Dorchester, including universal and working-parent entitlements.
What funded childcare is available in Dorchester?
All 3 and 4-year-olds can receive 15 funded hours a week. Eligible working families can receive up to 30 funded hours from 9 months old until school age.
What SEND support covers preschool children in Dorchester?
Dorchester is covered by the Dorset SEND Local Offer, including early-years support for children under five with special educational needs or disabilities.
How does Ofsted information work for Dorchester nurseries?
Ofsted regulates and inspects registered early-years providers. The renewed inspection framework introduced in November 2025 uses report cards and individual evaluation areas, so newer records can differ from older Ofsted ratings.