Childcare costs in West Northamptonshire 2026/27
West Northamptonshire's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.20/hr, £0.80/hr below the East Midlands regional average of £7.00/hr and £0.52/hr below the England national average of £6.72/hr. That ranks West Northamptonshire 10th 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.
Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in West Northamptonshire is worth approximately £7068/year for a 3 to 4 year old, before any private top-ups for additional hours, consumables, or meals.
| Age band | Funded rate | vs national | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2 | £11.33/hr | −£1.14 | Calculate |
| 2 to 3 years | £8.36/hr | −£0.80 | Calculate |
| 3 to 4 years | £6.20/hr | −£0.52 | Calculate |
Frequently asked questions about West Northamptonshire childcare costs
›What is the 2026/27 funded childcare rate in West Northamptonshire?
For 2026/27, West Northamptonshire pays providers £6.20/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £8.36/hr for 2 year olds, and £11.33/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.
›How does West Northamptonshire's funded rate compare to the rest of East Midlands?
West Northamptonshire's 3-4 year old rate of £6.20/hr is £0.80/hr below the East Midlands regional average of £7.00/hr, ranking 10th highest of the 10 authorities in East Midlands.
›Will the funded rate in West Northamptonshire cover my whole nursery bill?
Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £6.20 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 West Northamptonshire?
Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at West Northamptonshire's 2026/27 rate of £6.20/hr is worth approximately £7068 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.
Neighbouring authorities (alphabetical)
- Rutland£6.20/hr (3-4)
Other authorities in East Midlands
- Derby£6.43/hr
- Derbyshire£6.20/hr
- Leicester£6.23/hr
- Leicestershire£6.20/hr
- Lincolnshire£6.20/hr
- North Northamptonshire£6.20/hr
Compare West Northamptonshire with other authorities
See the East Midlands league table and compare West Northamptonshire side by side with any English local authority on the comparison page.