Nurseries in Dorset
Dorset is a scenic South West county known for its Jurassic Coast, countryside villages and family-friendly seaside towns, making it a strong choice for parents seeking high-quality early years provision. Covering key areas such as Bournemouth, Poole, Dorchester, Weymouth, Christchurch, Ferndown, Bridport and surrounding rural communities, the county offers excellent beaches, nature reserves, parks, libraries, children’s centres and strong primary schools. Families benefit from good road connections via the A35, A31 and access to rail routes into London Waterloo. Nursery and preschool demand is consistently high across commuter areas around Bournemouth and Poole, as well as coastal towns such as Christchurch and Weymouth.
Parents in Dorset typically pay £76 per day for childcare, which is slightly 1% higher than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £76
- Comparison
- +1% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 8,935 places
Nurseries near you in Dorset
Frequently Asked Questions
In Dorset, private nurseries typically accept children from around 3 months old, depending on staffing and space. School and council-run nurseries usually offer places from age 2 or 3. Funded early education begins the term after your child turns 3, with some 2 year olds eligible earlier depending on household circumstances or working-parent status.
Across England all 3 and 4 year olds receive 15 funded hours per week, with many working families eligible for up to 30 hours. Some 2 year olds also qualify based on household circumstances, and eligible working parents of children from 9 months old may access funded childcare. Tax Free Childcare provides a 20 percent government top up to help with nursery costs.
Nursery fees in Dorset generally range from £60–£130 per day, with higher rates in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and areas with strong commuter links.
All nurseries in Dorset are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding overseen by Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council.
Ask about outdoor space, planned activities, staff qualifications, how funded hours are delivered, and any additional charges for meals, nappies, trips or extended care.
Applying for funding
Dorset is covered by Dorset Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Dorset Council website
