Childcare costs in Blackburn with Darwen 2026/27

Blackburn with Darwen's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.20/hr, £0.80/hr below the North West regional average of £7.00/hr and £0.52/hr below the England national average of £6.72/hr. That ranks Blackburn with Darwen 15th of 24 authorities in North West 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
£6.20/hr
2 year olds
£8.56/hr
Under 2s
£11.63/hr

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Blackburn with Darwen is worth approximately £7068/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 Blackburn with Darwen
Age bandFunded ratevs nationalCalculator
Under 2£11.63/hr−£0.84Calculate
2 to 3 years£8.56/hr−£0.60Calculate
3 to 4 years£6.20/hr−£0.52Calculate

Frequently asked questions about Blackburn with Darwen childcare costs

›What is the 2026/27 funded childcare rate in Blackburn with Darwen?

For 2026/27, Blackburn with Darwen pays providers £6.20/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £8.56/hr for 2 year olds, and £11.63/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.

›How does Blackburn with Darwen's funded rate compare to the rest of North West?

Blackburn with Darwen's 3-4 year old rate of £6.20/hr is £0.80/hr below the North West regional average of £7.00/hr, ranking 15th highest of the 24 authorities in North West.

›Will the funded rate in Blackburn with Darwen 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 North West is typically around £7.00/hr.

›How much is the 30 funded hours worth annually in Blackburn with Darwen?

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Blackburn with Darwen's 2026/27 rate of £6.20/hr is worth approximately £7068 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.

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Compare Blackburn with Darwen with other authorities

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