Childcare costs in Kensington and Chelsea 2026/27
Kensington and Chelsea's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £9.08/hr, £3.92/hr below the Inner London regional average of £13.00/hr and £2.36/hr above the England national average of £6.72/hr. That ranks Kensington and Chelsea 3rd 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.
Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Kensington and Chelsea is worth approximately £10351/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 | £16.84/hr | +£4.37 | Calculate |
| 2 to 3 years | £12.33/hr | +£3.17 | Calculate |
| 3 to 4 years | £9.08/hr | +£2.36 | Calculate |
Frequently asked questions about Kensington and Chelsea childcare costs
›What is the 2026/27 funded childcare rate in Kensington and Chelsea?
For 2026/27, Kensington and Chelsea pays providers £9.08/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £12.33/hr for 2 year olds, and £16.84/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.
›How does Kensington and Chelsea's funded rate compare to the rest of Inner London?
Kensington and Chelsea's 3-4 year old rate of £9.08/hr is £3.92/hr below the Inner London regional average of £13.00/hr, ranking 3rd highest of the 13 authorities in Inner London.
›Will the funded rate in Kensington and Chelsea cover my whole nursery bill?
Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £9.08 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 Kensington and Chelsea?
Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Kensington and Chelsea's 2026/27 rate of £9.08/hr is worth approximately £10351 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.
Neighbouring authorities (alphabetical)
Other authorities in Inner London
Compare Kensington and Chelsea with other authorities
See the Inner London league table and compare Kensington and Chelsea side by side with any English local authority on the comparison page.