Childcare costs in Somerset 2026/27
Somerset's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.20/hr, £1.30/hr below the South West regional average of £7.50/hr and £0.52/hr below the England national average of £6.72/hr. That ranks Somerset 13th 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 Somerset is worth approximately £7068/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 | £10.93/hr | −£1.54 | Calculate |
| 2 to 3 years | £8.08/hr | −£1.08 | Calculate |
| 3 to 4 years | £6.20/hr | −£0.52 | Calculate |
Frequently asked questions about Somerset childcare costs
›What is the 2026/27 funded childcare rate in Somerset?
For 2026/27, Somerset pays providers £6.20/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £8.08/hr for 2 year olds, and £10.93/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.
›How does Somerset's funded rate compare to the rest of South West?
Somerset's 3-4 year old rate of £6.20/hr is £1.30/hr below the South West regional average of £7.50/hr, ranking 13th highest of the 14 authorities in South West.
›Will the funded rate in Somerset cover my whole nursery bill?
Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £6.20 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 Somerset?
Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Somerset's 2026/27 rate of £6.20/hr is worth approximately £7068 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.
Neighbouring authorities (alphabetical)
- Plymouth£6.30/hr (3-4)
- South Gloucestershire£6.59/hr (3-4)
Other authorities in South West
- Bath and North East Somerset£6.59/hr
- 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
Compare Somerset with other authorities
See the South West league table and compare Somerset side by side with any English local authority on the comparison page.