Childcare costs in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole 2026/27

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.54/hr, £0.96/hr below the South West regional average of £7.50/hr and £0.18/hr below the England national average of £6.72/hr. That ranks Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole 4th 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.

3-4 year olds
£6.54/hr
2 year olds
£8.91/hr
Under 2s
£12.06/hr

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is worth approximately £7456/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 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Age bandFunded ratevs nationalCalculator
Under 2£12.06/hr−£0.41Calculate
2 to 3 years£8.91/hr−£0.25Calculate
3 to 4 years£6.54/hr−£0.18Calculate

Frequently asked questions about Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole childcare costs

›What is the 2026/27 funded childcare rate in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?

For 2026/27, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole pays providers £6.54/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £8.91/hr for 2 year olds, and £12.06/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.

›How does Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole's funded rate compare to the rest of South West?

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole's 3-4 year old rate of £6.54/hr is £0.96/hr below the South West regional average of £7.50/hr, ranking 4th highest of the 14 authorities in South West.

›Will the funded rate in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole cover my whole nursery bill?

Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £6.54 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 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole's 2026/27 rate of £6.54/hr is worth approximately £7456 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.

Neighbouring authorities (alphabetical)

Other authorities in South West

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Compare Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole with other authorities

See the South West league table and compare Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole side by side with any English local authority on the comparison page.