Childcare costs in Bedford 2026/27
Bedford's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.36/hr, £1.64/hr below the East of England regional average of £8.00/hr and close to the England national average of £6.42/hr. That ranks Bedford 5th of 11 authorities in East of England for funded rate. Use the calculator below to work out exactly what you'll pay each month after the funded hours are applied.
3 to 4-year-old rates are the before-termly-adjustment figure (the provider-facing rate per DfE operational guidance). See how Bedford compares on the funding map.
Sourced from the DfE 2026/27 Early Years National Funding Formula, published 1 April 2026. Confirm with Bedford council if it has since announced a local top-up.
Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Bedford is worth approximately £7250/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 | £12.03/hr | −£0.44 | Calculate |
| 2 to 3 years | £8.86/hr | −£0.30 | Calculate |
| 3 to 4 years | £6.36/hr | −£0.06 | Calculate |
Frequently asked questions about Bedford childcare costs
›What is the 2026/27 funded childcare rate in Bedford?
For 2026/27, Bedford pays providers £6.36/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £8.86/hr for 2 year olds, and £12.03/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.
›How does Bedford's funded rate compare to the rest of East of England?
Bedford's 3-4 year old rate of £6.36/hr is £1.64/hr below the East of England regional average of £8.00/hr, ranking 5th highest of the 11 authorities in East of England.
›Will the funded rate in Bedford cover my whole nursery bill?
Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £6.36 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 of England is typically around £8.00/hr.
›How much is the 30 funded hours worth annually in Bedford?
Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Bedford's 2026/27 rate of £6.36/hr is worth approximately £7250 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.
Neighbouring authorities (alphabetical)
- Cambridgeshire£6.31/hr (3-4)
Other authorities in East of England
- Cambridgeshire£6.31/hr
- Central Bedfordshire£6.09/hr
- Essex£6.16/hr
- Hertfordshire£6.53/hr
- Luton£6.38/hr
- Norfolk£6.01/hr
Compare Bedford with other authorities
See the East of England league table and compare Bedford side by side with any English local authority on the comparison page.