Childcare costs in Bury 2026/27

Bury's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.01/hr, £0.99/hr below the North West regional average of £7.00/hr and £0.41/hr below the England national average of £6.42/hr. That ranks Bury 16th 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
£6.01/hr
2 year olds
£8.63/hr
Under 2s
£11.71/hr

3 to 4-year-old rates are the before-termly-adjustment figure (the provider-facing rate per DfE operational guidance). See how Bury compares on the funding map.

Sourced from the DfE 2026/27 Early Years National Funding Formula, published 1 April 2026. Confirm with Bury council if it has since announced a local top-up.

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Bury is worth approximately £6851/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 Bury
Age bandFunded ratevs nationalCalculator
Under 2£11.71/hr−£0.76Calculate
2 to 3 years£8.63/hr−£0.53Calculate
3 to 4 years£6.01/hr−£0.41Calculate

Frequently asked questions about Bury childcare costs

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

For 2026/27, Bury pays providers £6.01/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £8.63/hr for 2 year olds, and £11.71/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.

›How does Bury's funded rate compare to the rest of North West?

Bury's 3-4 year old rate of £6.01/hr is £0.99/hr below the North West regional average of £7.00/hr, ranking 16th highest of the 24 authorities in North West.

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

Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £6.01 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 Bury?

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Bury's 2026/27 rate of £6.01/hr is worth approximately £6851 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.

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