We can look after up to 20 children per session, aged 2-4. Our class sizes will always be dependent on the age range of the children and the composition of staff available.  We keep to the ratios of 1:4 (1 adult to 4 children) for two year olds and 1:8 for 3 & 4 year olds.

Your first point of contact for Admissions should be Helen Morris, our Manager, please email or telephone 01865 341805 between 10am and 2pm. Helen will be happy to arrange a time for you to come in and see our welcoming and thriving Pre-school. Once you have had a visit you can download and complete an ‘Application to join’ form below, or please ask Helen for a paper copy.

We run sessions Monday to Friday inclusive during the normal academic term, our term dates can be found here. Children are welcome to join us for half day or full day sessions. Half day sessions can include an optional lunch club.

From September 2023

Fees are £5.75 per hour for 3 and 4 year olds:

Morning session – 3 hours = £17.25

Lunch Club – 1 hour = £5.75

Afternoon session – 2 hours =£11.50

Combined costs £34.50 whole day

Fees for 2 year olds are £6 per hour:

Morning session – 3 hours = £18

Lunch Club: £6

Afternoon session: £12

Combined costs £36 whole day

There is a £25 non-refundable deposit. Invoices are sent out a month in advance and payment requested by the start of each month.

We also accept childcare vouchers in either full or part payment.

Assistance with payment plans is available for families in genuine financial hardship, please contact Helen or our Treasurer at treasurer@dorchesterpreschool.co.uk in the first instance.

If your first choice of sessions is not available, we will always try to work with you to find a compromise solution.

Funding – how to claim the 15-30 hours per week funding. (Universal 3 & 4 year olds )

Funding is available for up to 30 hours a week for term times, the term after their third birthday.  Parents will need to fill out a parental declaration form, available at the Pre-school and sign for each term they are claiming the funding from the County.  The manager will ask you to sign this form at the beginning of each term.

If you are eligible you will be given a code which we will then validate before offering you a place for your required sessions , up to 30 hours.

For more information please refer to the Oxfordshire County council website under Early Years and visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

2 year old funding:

15 hours working parent funding is available for 2 year olds, to apply please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk and you will be given a code, please then pass this on to Pre-School and hours can then be confirmed.

Funding may be available for your 2 year old if you are on a low income or meet certain criteria, please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk and you will be given a code, please then pass this on to Pre-School and hours can be confirmed.

Each term you will be asked to sign a form to confirm eligibility.  This is usually done on site at pick up or drop off.

Forms: available on request from Helen Morris: manager@dorchesterpreschool.co.uk  

Once we have received your application to join we can contact you regarding which sessions are available and forward you the Enrolment form (long version), Terms & conditions, GDPR & consent forms together with a Parent Pack and Parent Questionnaire.

Please note – invoices are sent termly and a terms notice is required for cancellation of any hours or place.