Childcare costs in West Berkshire 2026/27

West Berkshire's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.95/hr, £1.55/hr below the South East regional average of £8.50/hr and £0.23/hr above the England national average of £6.72/hr. That ranks West Berkshire 10th of 19 authorities in South East 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
£6.95/hr
2 year olds
£9.35/hr
Under 2s
£12.74/hr

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in West Berkshire is worth approximately £7923/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 West Berkshire
Age bandFunded ratevs nationalCalculator
Under 2£12.74/hr+£0.27Calculate
2 to 3 years£9.35/hr+£0.19Calculate
3 to 4 years£6.95/hr+£0.23Calculate

Frequently asked questions about West Berkshire childcare costs

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

For 2026/27, West Berkshire pays providers £6.95/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £9.35/hr for 2 year olds, and £12.74/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.

›How does West Berkshire's funded rate compare to the rest of South East?

West Berkshire's 3-4 year old rate of £6.95/hr is £1.55/hr below the South East regional average of £8.50/hr, ranking 10th highest of the 19 authorities in South East.

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

Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £6.95 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 South East is typically around £8.50/hr.

›How much is the 30 funded hours worth annually in West Berkshire?

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at West Berkshire's 2026/27 rate of £6.95/hr is worth approximately £7923 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.

Neighbouring authorities (alphabetical)

Other authorities in South East

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