Childcare costs in Bath and North East Somerset 2026/27
Bath and North East Somerset's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.59/hr, £0.91/hr below the South West regional average of £7.50/hr and £0.13/hr below the England national average of £6.72/hr. That ranks Bath and North East Somerset 2nd of 14 authorities in South West for funded rate. Use the calculator below to work out exactly what you'll pay each month after the funded hours are applied.
Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Bath and North East Somerset is worth approximately £7513/year for a 3 to 4 year old, before any private top-ups for additional hours, consumables, or meals.
| Age band | Funded rate | vs national | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2 | £12.07/hr | −£0.40 | Calculate |
| 2 to 3 years | £8.88/hr | −£0.28 | Calculate |
| 3 to 4 years | £6.59/hr | −£0.13 | Calculate |
Frequently asked questions about Bath and North East Somerset childcare costs
›What is the 2026/27 funded childcare rate in Bath and North East Somerset?
For 2026/27, Bath and North East Somerset pays providers £6.59/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £8.88/hr for 2 year olds, and £12.07/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.
›How does Bath and North East Somerset's funded rate compare to the rest of South West?
Bath and North East Somerset's 3-4 year old rate of £6.59/hr is £0.91/hr below the South West regional average of £7.50/hr, ranking 2nd highest of the 14 authorities in South West.
›Will the funded rate in Bath and North East Somerset cover my whole nursery bill?
Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £6.59 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 West is typically around £7.50/hr.
›How much is the 30 funded hours worth annually in Bath and North East Somerset?
Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Bath and North East Somerset's 2026/27 rate of £6.59/hr is worth approximately £7513 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.
Neighbouring authorities (alphabetical)
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole£6.54/hr (3-4)
Other authorities in South West
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole£6.54/hr
- Bristol City of£6.69/hr
- Cornwall£6.20/hr
- Devon£6.20/hr
- Dorset£6.20/hr
- Gloucestershire£6.21/hr
Compare Bath and North East Somerset with other authorities
See the South West league table and compare Bath and North East Somerset side by side with any English local authority on the comparison page.