Childcare costs in Leeds 2026/27

Leeds's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.25/hr, £0.55/hr below the Yorkshire and the Humber regional average of £6.80/hr and £0.47/hr below the England national average of £6.72/hr. That ranks Leeds 3rd of 15 authorities in Yorkshire and the Humber 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
£6.25/hr
2 year olds
£8.77/hr
Under 2s
£11.92/hr

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Leeds is worth approximately £7125/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 Leeds
Age bandFunded ratevs nationalCalculator
Under 2£11.92/hr−£0.55Calculate
2 to 3 years£8.77/hr−£0.39Calculate
3 to 4 years£6.25/hr−£0.47Calculate

Frequently asked questions about Leeds childcare costs

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

For 2026/27, Leeds pays providers £6.25/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £8.77/hr for 2 year olds, and £11.92/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.

›How does Leeds's funded rate compare to the rest of Yorkshire and the Humber?

Leeds's 3-4 year old rate of £6.25/hr is £0.55/hr below the Yorkshire and the Humber regional average of £6.80/hr, ranking 3rd highest of the 15 authorities in Yorkshire and the Humber.

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

Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £6.25 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 Yorkshire and the Humber is typically around £6.80/hr.

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

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Leeds's 2026/27 rate of £6.25/hr is worth approximately £7125 per year for a 3 to 4 year old.

Neighbouring authorities (alphabetical)

Other authorities in Yorkshire and the Humber

See all 15 authorities in Yorkshire and the Humber →

Compare Leeds with other authorities

See the Yorkshire and the Humber league table and compare Leeds side by side with any English local authority on the comparison page.