Nurseries and childcare in Dartford
We know of 46 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Dartford. Most nurseries are private, voluntary or part of a school, and Ofsted inspects those too: every one has a report on Ofsted’s website.
Nurseries and childcare by area
A few to start with
- Dimples Day Nursery Day care preschool Green Street Green Rd, Dartford, DA2 7HT 5 Call
- Bright Horizons Wilmington Day Nursery And Preschool Preschool Common Lane, Wilmington, Dartford, DA2 7EU 5 Call
- Highfield Rd Pre-school Preschool 2 Highfield Rd, Dartford, DA1 2JY Call
- Christchurch Pre-school Preschool Parish Hall, Christchurch, Christchurch Rd, Dartford, DA1 5 Call
- Cygnets Preschool Preschool Council Offices & Community Hall, The Grove, Swanscombe, DA10 0GA 5 Call
- Kiddiecare Daycare & Preschool New Barn Day care preschool Balcarres, Southfleet Ave, Longfield, DA3 5 Call
- Snowden Hill Nursery Preschool Snowden Hill, Swanscombe, DA11 9AE 5 Call
- St Andrews Playgroup Preschool Church Hall, St Andrews, Watling St, Dartford, DA1 5 Call
- St Michaels Pre School Preschool Church Hill, Dartford, DA2 5 Call
- Star Kids Preschool 31-33 Hythe St, Dartford, DA1 1BE 5 Call
- The Chapel Nursery Preschool The Chapel, Constance Grove, Dartford, DA1 2GA 5 Call
- Twinkletoes Preschool Preschool Leyton Cross Social Club, 14 Tredegar Rd, Dartford, DA2 7AZ 5 Call
- Windmill Nursery Preschool Located in: The Brent Primary School, London Rd, Dartford, DA2 5 Call
- Bright Beginnings Nursery Preschool Oakfield Ln, Dartford, DA1 Call
- Bright Horizons Families UK Day care preschool Brickfield Farm, 167 Main Road, Longfield, DA3 7PJ Call
- Bright Horizons Families UK Day care preschool Craylands Lane, Swanscombe, DA10 0LP Call
- Bright Horizons Longfield Day Nursery And Preschool Preschool Brickfield Farm, Longfield, DA3 5 Call
- Bright Horizons Springfield Lodge Dartford Day Nursery and Preschool Home service Powder Mill Ln, Dartford, DA1 Call
- Cygnets Pre School Child care and day care Swanscombe Council Offices and Community Hall, Swanscombe, DA10 Call
- Enchanted Wood Preschool- Bexley Park Preschool Calvert Drive, Dartford, DA2 7GA Call
- Giggles Learn Play & Imagine Child care and day care Princes View, Dartford, DA1 Call
- Jumping Beans Greenhithe Preschool Alexander Rd, Greenhithe, DA9 9HH Call
- Jumping Beans Village Pre-School Ltd - Bean Preschool Youth & Community Hall, High St, Dartford, DA2 8AS Call
- KatieB Kids Preschool Chapel Drive, Chapel Drive, Stone, Dartford, DA2 5 Call
Choosing a nursery
- Read the latest Ofsted report. Search by name or postcode on reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Private nurseries and childminders are on it as well as school nurseries.
- Visit, and ask about the day. Ratios of staff to children, how they settle a new child in, food, naps and time outdoors.
- Ask about funded hours and extra charges. Some nurseries charge for meals, nappies or trips on top of funded hours.
- Check waiting lists early. Popular nurseries fill months ahead, especially for babies.
Questions people ask
What do Ofsted grades mean for nurseries?
Until late 2025 Ofsted gave one overall grade: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate. Newer inspections give a report card instead, grading each area on a scale from exceptional to urgent improvement. Older grades stay on a nursery’s record until its next inspection.
Can I get free childcare hours?
In England every three and four year old can get 15 hours a week of funded childcare in term time. Working parents can get up to 30 hours a week from when their child is nine months old, if each parent earns at least 16 hours a week at the minimum wage and under £100,000 a year. Check and apply at childcarechoices.gov.uk.
How do I check a nursery’s Ofsted report?
Search for it by name or postcode on reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Every registered nursery and childminder in England has a page there with its inspection reports.
How many nurseries are there in Dartford?
We know of 46 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Dartford. Childminders working from home don’t always appear on maps, so there may be more.
Other things people look for
Nursery school inspections from Ofsted, Open Government Licence. Listings from Overture Maps, the Food Standards Agency and © OpenStreetMap contributors. Missing one? Tell us.