Childcare costs in Solihull 2026/27
Solihull's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.21/hr, £0.79/hr below the West Midlands regional average of £7.00/hr and £0.51/hr below the England national average of £6.72/hr. That ranks Solihull 8th 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.
Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Solihull is worth approximately £7079/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 | £11.69/hr | −£0.78 | Calculate |
| 2 to 3 years | £8.58/hr | −£0.58 | Calculate |
| 3 to 4 years | £6.21/hr | −£0.51 | Calculate |
Frequently asked questions about Solihull childcare costs
›What is the 2026/27 funded childcare rate in Solihull?
For 2026/27, Solihull pays providers £6.21/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £8.58/hr for 2 year olds, and £11.69/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.
›How does Solihull's funded rate compare to the rest of West Midlands?
Solihull's 3-4 year old rate of £6.21/hr is £0.79/hr below the West Midlands regional average of £7.00/hr, ranking 8th highest of the 14 authorities in West Midlands.
›Will the funded rate in Solihull cover my whole nursery bill?
Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £6.21 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 Solihull?
Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Solihull's 2026/27 rate of £6.21/hr is worth approximately £7079 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.
Neighbouring authorities (alphabetical)
- Shropshire£6.20/hr (3-4)
- Staffordshire£6.20/hr (3-4)
Other authorities in West Midlands
- Birmingham£6.80/hr
- Coventry£6.38/hr
- Dudley£6.20/hr
- Herefordshire£6.20/hr
- Sandwell£6.53/hr
- Shropshire£6.20/hr
Compare Solihull with other authorities
See the West Midlands league table and compare Solihull side by side with any English local authority on the comparison page.