Childcare costs in Herefordshire 2026/27

Herefordshire's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.20/hr, £0.80/hr below the West Midlands regional average of £7.00/hr and £0.52/hr below the England national average of £6.72/hr. That ranks Herefordshire 10th of 14 authorities in West Midlands 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
£6.20/hr
2 year olds
£7.80/hr
Under 2s
£10.50/hr

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Herefordshire is worth approximately £7068/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 Herefordshire
Age bandFunded ratevs nationalCalculator
Under 2£10.50/hr−£1.97Calculate
2 to 3 years£7.80/hr−£1.36Calculate
3 to 4 years£6.20/hr−£0.52Calculate

Frequently asked questions about Herefordshire childcare costs

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

For 2026/27, Herefordshire pays providers £6.20/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £7.80/hr for 2 year olds, and £10.50/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.

›How does Herefordshire's funded rate compare to the rest of West Midlands?

Herefordshire's 3-4 year old rate of £6.20/hr is £0.80/hr below the West Midlands regional average of £7.00/hr, ranking 10th highest of the 14 authorities in West Midlands.

›Will the funded rate in Herefordshire 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 West Midlands is typically around £7.00/hr.

›How much is the 30 funded hours worth annually in Herefordshire?

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Herefordshire's 2026/27 rate of £6.20/hr is worth approximately £7068 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.

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