Childcare costs in Stockport 2026/27

Stockport'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 Stockport 22nd 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
£8.26/hr
Under 2s
£11.18/hr

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

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

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Stockport 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 Stockport
Age bandFunded ratevs nationalCalculator
Under 2£11.18/hr−£1.29Calculate
2 to 3 years£8.26/hr−£0.90Calculate
3 to 4 years£6.01/hr−£0.41Calculate

Frequently asked questions about Stockport childcare costs

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

For 2026/27, Stockport pays providers £6.01/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £8.26/hr for 2 year olds, and £11.18/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.

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

Stockport'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 22nd highest of the 24 authorities in North West.

›Will the funded rate in Stockport 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 Stockport?

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

Neighbouring authorities (alphabetical)

Other authorities in North West

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Compare Stockport with other authorities

See the North West league table and compare Stockport side by side with any English local authority on the comparison page.