Nursery Cost of Delivery Calculator
Work out your estimated hourly cost per child for under 2s, 2-year-olds and 3- and 4-year-olds. This helps you understand whether your nursery fees, funded hours and running costs are actually working.
Free Cost of Delivery Calculator
Enter simple monthly costs, opening hours and estimated child numbers. The calculator then estimates your cost per child per hour.
1 Monthly nursery costs
These are the practitioners needed to supervise children safely within EYFS ratio requirements. The calculator gives under 2s a higher cost because they require more staff per child.
2 Opening pattern and children
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Get all the premium calculators inside the course or mentorship
You can buy the premium Cost of Delivery Calculator on its own for £11.99, or access the full set of nursery planning calculators inside the course and mentorship programmes. This is usually the better option if you are seriously planning to open, register or grow a nursery.
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Learn the full nursery opening process and access the calculators, templates and guidance needed to plan your nursery properly.
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View mentorshipWhy a nursery cost of delivery calculator matters
Many nursery providers set fees by looking at local competitors or funding rates. The problem is that your nursery might have a very different cost base.
Your rent, staffing model, age mix, opening hours and occupancy can all change how much it costs you to deliver one hour of childcare. This is why working out your nursery hourly cost per child is so important before you decide whether a fee or funded place is sustainable.
What this free calculator tells you
- Your estimated overall nursery cost per child per hour
- Your estimated cost per hour for under 2s
- Your estimated cost per hour for 2-year-olds
- Your estimated cost per hour for 3- and 4-year-olds
- Your estimated annual running cost and annual child hours
Useful for nursery funding and top-up planning
This free early years cost of delivery calculator can help providers think more clearly about funded hours, private fees and whether income is likely to cover costs.
The premium version goes further by helping you compare your cost of delivery against funding rates and see whether there may be a shortfall.
Who this calculator is for
- People planning to open a nursery
- Existing nursery owners reviewing fees
- Providers looking at funded hours sustainability
- Childcare businesses preparing financial forecasts
- Nursery managers reviewing age-group profitability
Use the other free nursery calculators
These free nursery calculators can help you plan your fees, ratios, income, space and wider nursery business model. Premium versions are available separately and are also included inside selected courses and mentorship programmes.
Nursery Earnings Calculator
Estimate potential nursery income based on capacity, fees and occupancy.
Use calculator
Nursery Funding Fee Calculator
Work out fees after 15 or 30 funded hours and understand parent-paid shortfalls.
Use calculator
Space Requirements Calculator
Estimate nursery capacity using Ofsted/EYFS indoor space requirements.
Use calculator
Nursery Ratio Calculator
Estimate how many staff you may need based on child numbers and ages.
Use calculatorNursery cost of delivery calculator FAQs
What is a nursery cost of delivery calculator?
A nursery cost of delivery calculator helps you estimate how much it costs to provide childcare per child per hour. It usually considers staffing, rent, overheads, opening hours, weeks open and the number of children attending.
Why is cost of delivery important for nursery funding?
If your cost of delivery is higher than the funding or fees you receive, your nursery may need to review its pricing, age mix, staffing model, occupancy or funding top-up approach.
Does this calculator show my exact profit?
No. This free version estimates hourly delivery cost. It does not calculate full profit, tax, debt repayments, owner drawings or every possible nursery expense. The premium version gives a deeper planning view.
Why are under 2s usually more expensive to deliver?
Under 2s usually cost more per hour because they require more adults per child. This means staffing costs are spread across fewer children compared with older age groups.
Can I use this as a nursery funding top-up calculator?
This free calculator helps you understand your cost per hour. The premium version is more suitable for comparing delivery cost against funding rates and working out possible funding gaps or top-up figures.
Need help understanding your numbers?
If your results look worrying or you want help reviewing your nursery business model, you can book a consultation and go through the figures properly.