Childcare costs in Nottinghamshire 2026/27

Nottinghamshire's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.01/hr, £0.99/hr below the East Midlands regional average of £7.00/hr and £0.41/hr below the England national average of £6.42/hr. That ranks Nottinghamshire 8th of 10 authorities in East Midlands for funded rate. Use the calculator below to work out exactly what you'll pay each month after the funded hours are applied.

3-4 year olds
£6.01/hr
2 year olds
£8.20/hr
Under 2s
£11.10/hr

3 to 4-year-old rates are the before-termly-adjustment figure (the provider-facing rate per DfE operational guidance). See how Nottinghamshire compares on the funding map.

Sourced from the DfE 2026/27 Early Years National Funding Formula, published 1 April 2026. Confirm with Nottinghamshire council if it has since announced a local top-up.

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Nottinghamshire is worth approximately £6851/year for a 3 to 4 year old, before any private top-ups for additional hours, consumables, or meals.

Funded hourly rates and calculator links for Nottinghamshire
Age bandFunded ratevs nationalCalculator
Under 2£11.10/hr−£1.37Calculate
2 to 3 years£8.20/hr−£0.96Calculate
3 to 4 years£6.01/hr−£0.41Calculate

Frequently asked questions about Nottinghamshire childcare costs

›What is the 2026/27 funded childcare rate in Nottinghamshire?

For 2026/27, Nottinghamshire pays providers £6.01/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £8.20/hr for 2 year olds, and £11.10/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.

›How does Nottinghamshire's funded rate compare to the rest of East Midlands?

Nottinghamshire's 3-4 year old rate of £6.01/hr is £0.99/hr below the East Midlands regional average of £7.00/hr, ranking 8th highest of the 10 authorities in East Midlands.

›Will the funded rate in Nottinghamshire cover my whole nursery bill?

Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £6.01 pays the provider for funded hours only, so any hours above your entitlement, plus consumables and meals, are charged at the nursery's private rate, which in East Midlands is typically around £7.00/hr.

›How much is the 30 funded hours worth annually in Nottinghamshire?

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Nottinghamshire's 2026/27 rate of £6.01/hr is worth approximately £6851 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.

Neighbouring authorities (alphabetical)

Other authorities in East Midlands

See all 10 authorities in East Midlands →

Compare Nottinghamshire with other authorities

See the East Midlands league table and compare Nottinghamshire side by side with any English local authority on the comparison page.