Know what it really costs to deliver childcare
The Premium Nursery Cost of Delivery Calculator helps you go beyond a rough estimate and understand your likely cost per hour for under 2s, 2-year-olds, 3+ children and your nursery overall.
It is especially useful when reviewing fees, funded places, staffing costs and whether your childcare model is financially realistic.
Use it whenever you need to review delivery costs, funding assumptions or whether your fee structure still makes sense.
Ongoing online access through your account
Funding only works if you know your real delivery cost
A nursery can be busy and still not be making money. This calculator helps you understand whether your staffing, rent, overheads and age-group mix are likely to make funded hours or private fees financially workable.
Go beyond a quick estimate
The premium version gives you a more useful answer than just a rough figure.
Clear age-group costs
See estimated cost per hour for under 2s, 2-year-olds, 3+ children and your nursery overall.
Better cost breakdown
Separate staffing, rent, utilities, out-of-ratio roles and other running costs.
Funding checks
Compare your estimated hourly delivery cost against funded-hour income so you can spot possible shortfalls.
Top-up thinking
Use the results to think more carefully about meals, consumables, extras and whether your fee structure makes sense.
Planning support
Useful for business planning, reviewing occupancy, testing assumptions and preparing for financial conversations.
Downloadable copy
Premium users get a downloadable version so they can keep a clearer record of their calculations.
Choose the version that fits the decision
The free version is useful for a quick starting point. The premium version is better when you are setting fees, reviewing funded hours or planning properly.
A quick standard estimate
Best when you want a simple cost-per-hour estimate.
- Simple monthly cost inputs
- Opening hours and weeks
- Number of children by age group
- Four free uses, then email unlock
A more useful planning tool
Best when you need a clearer view of costs, funding and fee decisions.
- Everything in the free version
- More detailed cost categories
- Funding rate comparison
- Top-up and shortfall thinking
- Downloadable version included
From monthly costs to hourly cost per child
The calculator is designed to be practical and easy to use.
Add staffing, rent, building costs, out-of-ratio roles and other monthly costs.
Enter opening hours, opening weeks and the number of children by age group.
See the estimated hourly cost for each age group and for your nursery overall.
Use the figures to review funding, fees, extras, occupancy and profitability.
Opening a nursery and want the full toolkit?
Premium calculators are included inside the course and mentorship support, alongside templates, training and practical guidance.
Where this calculator can help
Use it whenever you need to understand whether your childcare model, funding income and monthly running costs are lining up properly.
Setting your fees
Check whether your fees are realistic once staff, rent and running costs are considered.
Reviewing funded hours
Understand whether funded-hour income is likely to cover the cost of delivery.
Planning top-ups
Think more clearly about meals, consumables and optional extras without guessing.
Testing profitability
See whether your nursery model has enough room to become financially sustainable.
Business planning
Use your results when preparing your nursery forecast, pricing plan or business case.
Reviewing an existing nursery
Useful if costs have increased and you need to review whether your current fee structure still works.
Helpful tools for planning your nursery
Frequently asked questions
Is this a subscription?
No. It is a one-off payment for ongoing online access through your account.
Is this different from the free cost of delivery calculator?
Yes. The free version gives a simpler estimate. The premium version gives a more useful planning tool with deeper detail, funding checks and a downloadable version.
Can I use this for funded hours and top-up planning?
Yes. It helps you think more clearly about whether your funded delivery is covering costs and whether your wider fee structure is financially realistic.
Does it tell me exactly what I should charge parents?
No. It gives you estimates and planning figures. You still need to make sure your fees, meals, consumables and optional charges are transparent and compliant with the rules that apply to your setting.
Is it included in the course or mentorship?
Yes. Premium calculators are included inside the course and mentorship support, so if you plan to join one of those, you may not need to buy this separately.
Add the calculator to your basket above
Create your account at checkout, then open the calculator from your account area whenever you need to review your costs, fees or funding assumptions.
This calculator provides estimates based on the information entered. It is not a substitute for your local authority provider agreement, current government guidance, accounting advice or your nursery’s written fee policy. Funded early education hours must be available free of charge. Any optional meals, consumables or activities should be transparent and voluntary in line with the rules that apply to your setting.
