Free childcare fee tool

Nursery Funding Fee Calculator

Estimate the childcare fee after 15 or 30 funded hours have been applied. Enter the nursery day, normal fee and funding pattern to compare 1 to 5 full days in seconds.

Calculate the fee See the premium planner
✓ 15 and 30 hours ✓ Term-time or stretched ✓ 1 to 5-day comparison
Free calculator

Work out the estimated fee after funding

This quick version assumes the same full-day hours and a standard fee. You can compare each attendance option from 1 to 5 days.

Your details

Enter the nursery fees and hours

Use the normal childcare charge before funded hours are applied.

01 Full-day opening hours
A maximum of 10 funded hours can be used in one day, even if the nursery is open for longer.
02 Normal childcare fee
Enter the standard childcare fee for one full day.
Add optional extras charged per day
For example, optional meals or consumables. These are shown separately from the childcare fee.
03 Funded hours
Enter between 39 and 52 weeks.

You have 3 free calculations before email unlock.

Thank you. The calculator is now unlocked for unlimited use on this browser.

Your 1 to 5-day comparison will appear here

Complete the three short sections and select calculate to see the funded hours used, private hours and estimated parent fee.

Your estimate

Estimated weekly fees after funding

Full-day length 0 hrs
Funding per week 0 hrs
Estimated hourly fee £0
Days Hours attending Funded hours used Private hours Estimated weekly fee
Need custom fees?

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Important: This calculator estimates the private childcare charge after funded hours. It does not calculate a top-up fee. Funded hours must be available free of charge and optional meals, consumables or activities must be transparent and voluntary. Always check your local authority provider agreement and actual nursery fee policy. See the current DfE guidance .
Need more control?

Build a fee structure that matches your nursery

The free calculator is designed for a standard full-day fee. The premium planner is for nursery owners who need to adjust package discounts, half days, custom sessions and optional extras.

Premium calculators are also included at no extra cost in Open a Nursery UK courses and selected premium products.

One-off access

Premium Funding Fee Calculator

£9.99
  • Edit separate 1 to 5-day package prices
  • Combine full days, half days and custom sessions
  • Add optional extras separately
  • Compare term-time and stretched funding
Get the premium funding calculator
Best value Two premium tools

Premium Calculator Bundle

£14.99
  • Premium Funding Fee Calculator
  • Premium Nursery Earnings Calculator
  • Plan parent fees and nursery earnings together
  • One purchase with ongoing access
Get both premium calculators

Save £4.99 compared with buying both separately

Only need the earnings tool? Get the Premium Nursery Earnings Calculator for £9.99 →

How it works

A straightforward funded-hours estimate

The calculator converts the normal fee into an estimated private hourly charge, applies the funded hours that can be used in that attendance pattern and shows the remaining parent fee.

  1. 1
    Work out attendance hours The opening and closing times give the length of one full day.
  2. 2
    Apply available funded hours Funding is limited by attendance and the 10-hour daily maximum.
  3. 3
    Calculate the private charge The remaining private hours are charged at the estimated standard rate.
Funding basics

What the estimate allows for

In England, 15 hours normally represents 570 hours per year and 30 hours represents 1,140 hours per year. These can be delivered over 38 weeks or stretched across more weeks.

  • No more than 10 funded hours are applied in one day.
  • Unused hours do not become a cash discount.
  • Stretched funding gives fewer funded hours each week.
  • Private hours and optional extras are shown separately.
Read the current DfE guidance →
More free tools

Continue planning your nursery

Use the other Open a Nursery UK calculators to explore earnings, staffing and building space.

01

Nursery Earnings Calculator

Estimate nursery income, costs and possible profitability.

Use the earnings calculator → 02

Nursery Ratio Calculator

Estimate minimum staffing numbers for different age groups.

Use the ratio calculator → 03

Space Requirements Calculator

Estimate the minimum usable indoor space required for children.

Use the space calculator →
Common questions

Nursery funding fee calculator FAQs

Is the Nursery Funding Fee Calculator free?
Yes. You can complete three calculations without entering any details. After that, enter your email to unlock unlimited free use on the same browser.
What is the difference between term-time and stretched funding?
Term-time funding usually provides 15 or 30 hours over 38 weeks. Stretched funding spreads the same annual entitlement across more weeks, which means fewer funded hours are available each week.
Can a nursery charge a top-up fee for funded hours?
No. A nursery cannot charge parents the difference between its normal rate and the local authority funding rate. It can charge for additional private hours and voluntary extras in line with current guidance and its local provider agreement.
Why might the actual nursery invoice be different?
Nurseries may use different session prices, package discounts, funding weeks, optional extras or invoice schedules. Funding may also be shared with another provider. Check the nursery’s fee policy and local authority arrangements before relying on the estimate.
What does the £9.99 premium calculator add?
It is designed for nursery owners who need to enter separate 1 to 5-day package prices, combine full and half-day sessions, adjust custom attendance patterns and include optional extras more precisely. It is also available with the Premium Nursery Earnings Calculator in the £14.99 bundle.

This calculator is a planning guide for England and does not replace your local authority provider agreement, nursery contract, itemised invoice or professional advice.