Childcare costs by local authority 2026/27

The England average funded rate for 3 to 4 year olds in 2026/27 is £6.72/hr. Rates vary by local authority, from Inner London's higher allocations to lower-cost northern regions. Select your region below to browse local authorities and open a pre-filled calculator showing your estimated monthly fees after government support.

Local authority rates are set annually by the Department for Education using the Early Years National Funding Formula (EYNFF). The formula accounts for local labour costs, deprivation and rurality, which is why a nursery in Manchester and a nursery in Surrey can receive very different hourly rates for the same funded entitlement. Rates are confirmed each January for the following April and are updated here as soon as they are published. Select your region below, then choose your local authority to see the 2026/27 funded rates for all age groups and calculate your estimated monthly cost.

Funded rates are reviewed annually. Figures on these pages reflect 2026/27 allocations published by the Department for Education in January 2026, effective from April 2026. Nurseries are not required to accept the funded entitlement, and those that do may charge separately for meals, consumables and additional hours beyond your entitlement. The calculator linked from each local authority page shows your estimated monthly out-of-pocket cost after all entitlements are applied.

Hourly rates are taken from the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations and guidance published each January for the following April. Figures on this site reflect the 2026/27 allocations effective from April 2026. Rates are the final entitlement after the minimum funding floor, year-to-year protection and gains cap are applied. If you spot a discrepancy, the DfE document is the authoritative source.

• East Midlands10 local authorities
• East of England11 local authorities
• Inner London13 local authorities
• North East12 local authorities
• North West24 local authorities
• Outer London19 local authorities
• South East19 local authorities
• South West14 local authorities
• West Midlands14 local authorities
• Yorkshire and the Humber15 local authorities