Childcare costs in Swindon 2026/27

Swindon's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.32/hr, £1.18/hr below the South West regional average of £7.50/hr and £0.40/hr below the England national average of £6.72/hr. That ranks Swindon 7th 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
£6.32/hr
2 year olds
£8.65/hr
Under 2s
£11.83/hr

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Swindon is worth approximately £7205/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 Swindon
Age bandFunded ratevs nationalCalculator
Under 2£11.83/hr−£0.64Calculate
2 to 3 years£8.65/hr−£0.51Calculate
3 to 4 years£6.32/hr−£0.40Calculate

Frequently asked questions about Swindon childcare costs

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

For 2026/27, Swindon pays providers £6.32/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £8.65/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 Swindon's funded rate compare to the rest of South West?

Swindon's 3-4 year old rate of £6.32/hr is £1.18/hr below the South West regional average of £7.50/hr, ranking 7th highest of the 14 authorities in South West.

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

Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £6.32 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 Swindon?

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Swindon's 2026/27 rate of £6.32/hr is worth approximately £7205 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.

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