Childcare costs in Plymouth 2026/27

Plymouth's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.12/hr, £1.38/hr below the South West regional average of £7.50/hr and £0.30/hr below the England national average of £6.42/hr. That ranks Plymouth 8th 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
£6.12/hr
2 year olds
£8.69/hr
Under 2s
£11.83/hr

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

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

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Plymouth is worth approximately £6977/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 Plymouth
Age bandFunded ratevs nationalCalculator
Under 2£11.83/hr−£0.64Calculate
2 to 3 years£8.69/hr−£0.47Calculate
3 to 4 years£6.12/hr−£0.30Calculate

Frequently asked questions about Plymouth childcare costs

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

For 2026/27, Plymouth pays providers £6.12/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £8.69/hr for 2 year olds, and £11.83/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.

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

Plymouth's 3-4 year old rate of £6.12/hr is £1.38/hr below the South West regional average of £7.50/hr, ranking 8th highest of the 14 authorities in South West.

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

Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £6.12 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 Plymouth?

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Plymouth's 2026/27 rate of £6.12/hr is worth approximately £6977 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.

Neighbouring authorities (alphabetical)

Other authorities in South West

See all 14 authorities in South West →

Compare Plymouth with other authorities

See the South West league table and compare Plymouth side by side with any English local authority on the comparison page.