Childcare costs in Sheffield 2026/27

Sheffield's 2026/27 funded hourly rate for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.30/hr, £0.50/hr below the Yorkshire and the Humber regional average of £6.80/hr and £0.42/hr below the England national average of £6.72/hr. That ranks Sheffield 1st 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
£6.30/hr
2 year olds
£8.68/hr
Under 2s
£11.82/hr

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement in Sheffield is worth approximately £7182/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 Sheffield
Age bandFunded ratevs nationalCalculator
Under 2£11.82/hr−£0.65Calculate
2 to 3 years£8.68/hr−£0.48Calculate
3 to 4 years£6.30/hr−£0.42Calculate

Frequently asked questions about Sheffield childcare costs

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

For 2026/27, Sheffield pays providers £6.30/hr for 3 to 4 year olds, £8.68/hr for 2 year olds, and £11.82/hr for under 2s. These are the DfE Early Years National Funding Formula allocations effective April 2026.

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

Sheffield's 3-4 year old rate of £6.30/hr is £0.50/hr below the Yorkshire and the Humber regional average of £6.80/hr, ranking 1st highest of the 15 authorities in Yorkshire and the Humber.

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

Usually not in full. The funded hourly rate of £6.30 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 Sheffield?

Across the standard 38 funded weeks, the 30 hours entitlement at Sheffield's 2026/27 rate of £6.30/hr is worth approximately £7182 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 Sheffield with other authorities

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