We calculate your actual nursery cost

What you get from this calculator

Clear Nursery Fees models the nursery funding gap for all 151 local authorities in England, using DfE-published EYNFF rates for 2026/27.

Clear Nursery Fees tells you exactly what you will pay for nursery each month, not which schemes you qualify for, but your actual out-of-pocket cost after every government scheme is correctly applied.

Most calculators stop at “you qualify for 30 hours”. Ours goes further: it models the funding gap (the difference between what the government pays nurseries and what nurseries charge), the stretching mechanic, Tax-Free Childcare savings and Universal Credit childcare support. It also projects how your costs will change as your child ages through each funding tier, so you can plan ahead rather than just for this month.

Who it's for

Parents and carers in England with a child aged 9 months to 4 years who are planning or currently using nursery care. If you want your actual cost rather than a rough guide, this calculator is for you.

Is the data accurate?

Policy constants (funded hours thresholds, Tax-Free Childcare limits, term dates) are updated each April when the government publishes new rates. Local Authority funding rates for all 151 LAs in England are sourced from DfE-published EYNFF allocations and updated annually each April.

The calculator is a guide, not a guarantee. Your nursery's actual rates and policies determine your real invoice. Use the calculator to see your personalised estimate.

Who built this

Clear Nursery Fees was built by Stuart Beasley, a UK software consultant building a portfolio of useful consumer apps. Content is reviewed quarterly against the latest DfE and HMRC guidance.

Get in touch

Found an error, have a question, or want to suggest an improvement? Email us at hello@clearnurseryfees.co.uk.