Childcare costs in Islington 2026/27

Islington's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £8.96/hr, £4.04/hr below the Inner London regional average of £13.00/hr and £2.24/hr above the England national average of £6.72/hr. That ranks Islington 4th of 13 authorities in Inner London 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
£8.96/hr
2 year olds
£12.39/hr
Under 2s
£17.16/hr

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Islington is worth approximately £10214/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 Islington
Age bandFunded ratevs nationalCalculator
Under 2£17.16/hr+£4.69Calculate
2 to 3 years£12.39/hr+£3.23Calculate
3 to 4 years£8.96/hr+£2.24Calculate

Frequently asked questions about Islington childcare costs

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

For 2026/27, Islington pays providers £8.96/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £12.39/hr for 2 year olds, and £17.16/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.

›How does Islington's funded rate compare to the rest of Inner London?

Islington's 3-4 year old rate of £8.96/hr is £4.04/hr below the Inner London regional average of £13.00/hr, ranking 4th highest of the 13 authorities in Inner London.

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

Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £8.96 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 Inner London is typically around £13.00/hr.

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

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Islington's 2026/27 rate of £8.96/hr is worth approximately £10214 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.

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