# Charminster Preschool

Charminster Preschool is a full-day nursery at St. Marys C of E VC First School, West Hill, DORCHESTER, DT2 9RD, in Charminster, Dorset. It is registered for 34 children. Ofsted rated it Outstanding at its inspection in November 2022, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/charminster-preschool-ey337568  
Last checked 4 November 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Full-day nursery
- Address: St. Marys C of E VC First School, West Hill, DORCHESTER, DT2 9RD
- Registered places: 34
- Phone: 01305 251512
- Website: http://www.charminsterpreschool.co.uk/
- Ofsted URN: EY337568

## Ofsted and official records

Ofsted rated it Outstanding at its inspection on 29 November 2022, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

- Quality of education: Outstanding
- Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding
- Personal development: Outstanding
- Leadership and management: Outstanding

Safeguarding effective.

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY337568

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since August 2006 (Reference EY337568). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY337568)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 29 November 2022). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY337568)
- Registered places: 34 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY337568)

## Fees

Fees, hours and ages: not published yet.

## Hours and ages

Opening hours and ages: not published yet.

## Getting there

Address: St. Marys C of E VC First School, West Hill, DORCHESTER, DT2 9RD

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=50.732791,-2.457411

- 11 bus stops within 400 m
- Playground: Playground, 0.3 miles

NaPTAN, Department for Transport, checked 13 November 2026 · © OpenStreetMap contributors, checked 13 November 2026.

## Places and next steps

Spaces: not published yet.

In Dorset there are about 2.8 children under 5 for every registered nursery place. Places are how many children nurseries may care for, not free spaces. Source: ONS Census 2021.

When to apply: https://toddly.co.uk/when-to-apply-for-nursery

## Ratings


## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster | Primary | 4–9 |  |  | under 0.1 miles |
| Damers First School | Primary | 4–9 | Standards maintained (February 2025) |  | 1.2 miles |
| Sunninghill Preparatory School |  | 0–13 |  | yes | 1.8 miles |
| The Thomas Hardye School | Secondary | 13–18 | Quality of education: Good; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Good (February 2025) |  | 1.7 miles |
| Dorchester Middle School | Middle deemed secondary | 9–13 | Report card (June 2026) |  | 1.7 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Sunny Day Nursery & Play Club](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/sunny-day-nursery-and-play-club-ey216520) | Good |  |  | 1.6 miles |
| [The Grove Pre-School Playgroup](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/the-grove-pre-school-playgroup-139370) | Good |  |  | 1.6 miles |
| [Summertime Nursery & Preschool](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/summertime-nursery-and-preschool-ey493659) | Good |  |  | 1.7 miles |
| [Little Robins Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/little-robins-nursery-2813369) | Report card Dec 2025 |  |  | 1.8 miles |
| [Dorchester Community Nursery School](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/dorchester-community-nursery-school-139333) | Good |  |  | 1.8 miles |
| [Chipmunks Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/chipmunks-day-nursery-ey454946) | Requires improvement |  |  | 2.1 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Charminster Preschool's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated Charminster Preschool Outstanding at its inspection on 29 November 2022, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

### How many children can Charminster Preschool take?

Charminster Preschool is registered with Ofsted for up to 34 children at any one time.

### What is the nearest station to Charminster Preschool?

Dorchester West is the nearest station we know of, 1.6 miles away in a straight line.

### How do I contact Charminster Preschool?

You can call 01305 251512 and visit www.charminsterpreschool.co.uk.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY337568)
- Schools: DfE Get Information about Schools, as of 4 November 2026 (https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.