Childcare costs in Richmond upon Thames 2026/27

Richmond upon Thames's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £7.49/hr, £4.01/hr below the Outer London regional average of £11.50/hr and £1.07/hr above the England national average of £6.42/hr. That ranks Richmond upon Thames 2nd of 19 authorities in Outer London 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
£7.49/hr
2 year olds
£10.53/hr
Under 2s
£14.28/hr

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

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

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Richmond upon Thames is worth approximately £8539/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 Richmond upon Thames
Age bandFunded ratevs nationalCalculator
Under 2£14.28/hr+£1.81Calculate
2 to 3 years£10.53/hr+£1.37Calculate
3 to 4 years£7.49/hr+£1.07Calculate

Frequently asked questions about Richmond upon Thames childcare costs

›What is the 2026/27 funded childcare rate in Richmond upon Thames?

For 2026/27, Richmond upon Thames pays providers £7.49/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £10.53/hr for 2 year olds, and £14.28/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.

›How does Richmond upon Thames's funded rate compare to the rest of Outer London?

Richmond upon Thames's 3-4 year old rate of £7.49/hr is £4.01/hr below the Outer London regional average of £11.50/hr, ranking 2nd highest of the 19 authorities in Outer London.

›Will the funded rate in Richmond upon Thames cover my whole nursery bill?

Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £7.49 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 Outer London is typically around £11.50/hr.

›How much is the 30 funded hours worth annually in Richmond upon Thames?

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Richmond upon Thames's 2026/27 rate of £7.49/hr is worth approximately £8539 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.

Neighbouring authorities (alphabetical)

Other authorities in Outer London

See all 19 authorities in Outer London →

Compare Richmond upon Thames with other authorities

See the Outer London league table and compare Richmond upon Thames side by side with any English local authority on the comparison page.