Ofsted: GoodYou're hereDorchester Community Nursery School
DT1 1QA · Nursery
Dorchester Community Nursery School
- Ofsted: Good · Nov 2021
- Dorchester DT1
In short: a nursery in Dorchester, open since 1993, with room for 32 children. Ofsted last visited in November 2021. Nurseries publish far less than schools, so this page sticks to the facts we hold and what to ask on a visit.
Good to know
- Good at its last graded inspection, in November 2021.
- Registered with Ofsted, which last inspected it in November 2021.
- Room for 32 children at a time.
Worth checking
- Little data. Nurseries publish far less than schools, so a visit matters more.
- OfstedGoodNov 2021, 4 years ago
- Places32children at a time
- Opened199333 years ago
Ofsted
What does Ofsted's early years grade mean?
Ofsted inspects every nursery on the early years register. Here's every visit we hold.
Every Ofsted visit
Choose a year to see the visit.
Good or better at all 3 graded inspections since 2009.
What Ofsted found in February 2009
Read the 2009 report on OfstedWhat Ofsted found in November 2015
Read the 2015 report on OfstedWhat Ofsted found in November 2021
- SafeguardingEffective
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
- Personal developmentGood
- LeadershipGood
The four grades, in plain English
- Outstanding
- Much better than the minimum.
- Good
- Meets every standard well.
- Requires improvement
- Not yet good. Ofsted will be back soon.
- Inadequate
- Serious problems that must be fixed.
Funded childcare
How many free hours could your child get?
These are the national rules. Ask Dorchester Community which funded hours it offers, and what costs extra, like meals and trips.
15 hours for every 3 and 4 year old
Every child in England gets 15 funded hours a week in term time from the term after they turn 3.
Up to 30 hours for working parents
If you work, you may get 30 funded hours a week for children from 9 months old. Apply through Childcare Choices.
15 hours for some 2 year olds
Families on some benefits can get 15 hours a week from the term after their child turns 2.
Tax-Free Childcare
For every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2, up to £2,000 a year per child.
Check what you can get at Childcare Choices.
Day to day
Life at Dorchester Community
Open day
What to ask when you visit
Based on what the data says about Dorchester Community. Take this list with you.
- 1“What are your opening hours, and do you close in the holidays?”We don't hold opening hours for nurseries.
- 2“How many funded hours can you offer, and what costs extra?”Funded hours are free, but meals and extras can cost money.
- 3“Who will look after my child, and how long have they worked here?”Staff who stay make a big difference to young children.
- 4“How do you support children who need extra help?”Every nursery has to support children with special educational needs.
Nearby
See all Dorset nurseriesOther nurseries nearby
Popular nurseries fill up, so it's wise to list more than one. Here's how Dorchester Community compares with its neighbours.
Ofsted: GoodYou're here
Ofsted: Report card
Ofsted: Requires improvement
Ofsted: GoodKeep an eye on Dorchester Community
We'll email you when there's a new Ofsted report, new results or new admissions figures. Nothing else.
The basics
School details
- Type
- Nursery
- Opened
- May 1993
- Council
- Dorset
- Address
- York Road, Dorchester, DT1 1QA
- Ofsted reference (URN)
- 139333 · See it on the government register
Questions
Questions parents ask
Is Dorchester Community Nursery School a good nursery?
Ofsted rated it Good in November 2021. Visit, and read the latest inspection report.
What is Dorchester Community Nursery School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated it Good in November 2021. Ofsted no longer gives one overall grade, so its next inspection will give a report card that grades each area. The full report on Ofsted's website explains what it does well and what it needs to improve.
How many free hours can my child get?
Every 3 and 4 year old in England can get 15 funded hours a week in term time. Working parents can get up to 30 hours a week from 9 months old. Check what this nursery offers.
Sources: Department for Education school performance tables, school census and workforce, academy accounts, admissions statistics, Ofsted and ISI. Photos are stand-ins. School details and inspections checked against official records on 5 November 2026.