Childcare costs in Bolton 2026/27
Bolton's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.35/hr, £0.65/hr below the North West regional average of £7.00/hr and £0.37/hr below the England national average of £6.72/hr. That ranks Bolton 10th 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.
Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Bolton is worth approximately £7239/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 | £11.99/hr | −£0.48 | Calculate |
| 2 to 3 years | £8.81/hr | −£0.35 | Calculate |
| 3 to 4 years | £6.35/hr | −£0.37 | Calculate |
Frequently asked questions about Bolton childcare costs
›What is the 2026/27 funded childcare rate in Bolton?
For 2026/27, Bolton pays providers £6.35/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £8.81/hr for 2 year olds, and £11.99/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.
›How does Bolton's funded rate compare to the rest of North West?
Bolton's 3-4 year old rate of £6.35/hr is £0.65/hr below the North West regional average of £7.00/hr, ranking 10th highest of the 24 authorities in North West.
›Will the funded rate in Bolton cover my whole nursery bill?
Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £6.35 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 Bolton?
Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Bolton's 2026/27 rate of £6.35/hr is worth approximately £7239 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.
Neighbouring authorities (alphabetical)
Other authorities in North West
- Blackburn with Darwen£6.20/hr
- Blackpool£6.38/hr
- Bury£6.20/hr
- Cheshire East£6.20/hr
- Cheshire West and Chester£6.20/hr
- Cumberland£6.20/hr
Compare Bolton with other authorities
See the North West league table and compare Bolton side by side with any English local authority on the comparison page.