Childcare costs in North West
Covering Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Merseyside, the North West combines metropolitan centres like Manchester and Liverpool with rural Cumbria and the Lake District. Compare 2026/27 LA funded rates across 24 local authorities in North West. Select a rate to calculate your exact monthly fees after government support is applied.
Average Rate
£7.00/hr
Authorities
24
Children Under 5
450,000
Regional Initiatives
- Greater Manchester combined authority early years sufficiency programme
- Cumbria rural sustainability funding for small village nurseries
Parent Tips
- Greater Manchester authorities often share waiting list systems, so you can apply across borough borders
- Cumbria and Lancashire offer flexible payment plans for seasonal tourism workers
Show all 24 local authorities in North West
Frequently asked questions about North West childcare costs
›Do Greater Manchester boroughs have similar funded rates?
They are close but not identical. Salford, Manchester, and Trafford typically sit within £0.20/hr of each other, while smaller authorities further out vary slightly more depending on Area Cost Adjustment.
›Are there childcare grants for Cumbria's rural areas?
Cumbria operates a sustainability grant for small rural settings to keep funded places viable in low-population villages, alongside the standard 15 and 30 hour entitlements.