Childcare costs in Waltham Forest 2026/27

Waltham Forest's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.96/hr, £4.54/hr below the Outer London regional average of £11.50/hr and £0.24/hr above the England national average of £6.72/hr. That ranks Waltham Forest 17th 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
£6.96/hr
2 year olds
£9.56/hr
Under 2s
£13.03/hr

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Waltham Forest is worth approximately £7934/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 Waltham Forest
Age bandFunded ratevs nationalCalculator
Under 2£13.03/hr+£0.56Calculate
2 to 3 years£9.56/hr+£0.40Calculate
3 to 4 years£6.96/hr+£0.24Calculate

Frequently asked questions about Waltham Forest childcare costs

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

For 2026/27, Waltham Forest pays providers £6.96/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £9.56/hr for 2 year olds, and £13.03/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.

›How does Waltham Forest's funded rate compare to the rest of Outer London?

Waltham Forest's 3-4 year old rate of £6.96/hr is £4.54/hr below the Outer London regional average of £11.50/hr, ranking 17th highest of the 19 authorities in Outer London.

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

Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £6.96 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 Waltham Forest?

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Waltham Forest's 2026/27 rate of £6.96/hr is worth approximately £7934 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.

Neighbouring authorities (alphabetical)

Other authorities in Outer London

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Compare Waltham Forest with other authorities

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