Childminder EYFS Pricing Calculator 2025/26
Set profitable childminder session prices based on EYFS funded hours, local authority funding rates and your operating costs. This calculator helps registered childminders understand the true cost of funded hours and set sustainable private rates.
Key Inputs
- Weekly funded hours accepted (15 or 30 hours universal entitlement)
- Local authority funding rate per hour (typically £5.00–£8.50/hour depending on LA)
- Number of children at each age group (0–2, 2–3, 3–5 years)
- Operating costs: insurance, Ofsted registration, training, consumables, food
- Hours worked per week and target annual income
What You'll Get
- Minimum viable private hourly rate to cover costs and target income
- Revenue gap between LA funding rate and true cost per funded hour
- Maximum allowed top-up charges on funded hours (meals, consumables, optional extras)
- Recommended private rate with 20% margin
Important Notes — 2025/26 Rates & Caveats
Childminders in England can offer funded 15 and 30 hours entitlement. EYFS ratios for childminders working alone: maximum 6 children under 8, of whom no more than 3 may be under 5, and no more than 1 may be under 1. Local authority funding rates vary significantly: 2025/26 rates for 3–4 year olds typically range from £5.60 to £7.50/hour (some London LAs pay up to £9/hour). Childminders cannot charge for the funded hours themselves but can charge for meals, consumables and optional extras. Ofsted registration is required to offer funded places and to accept Tax-Free Childcare payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many children can a childminder look after?
A childminder working alone in England can care for a maximum of 6 children under the age of 8. Of these, no more than 3 may be under 5, and no more than 1 may be under 1. These limits include the childminder's own children if they are under 8. A childminder working with an assistant may be able to care for more children, subject to Ofsted approval and the safe space available.
Can a childminder charge top-up fees on funded hours?
Yes, within limits. Childminders can charge for meals, snacks, nappies, trips and optional extras on top of the funded hours, but they cannot charge for the funded hours themselves (the education provision). They must not make attendance at additional paid hours a condition of accessing the funded entitlement, and funded hours must be genuinely optional and flexible. Charging a compulsory hourly supplement above the LA rate on funded hours is prohibited.
What qualifications does a childminder need to offer funded places?
To offer the government-funded childcare entitlement, a childminder must be registered with Ofsted (or a childminder agency that is registered with Ofsted). They must hold a valid paediatric first aid certificate, an enhanced DBS check, and complete Ofsted's registration process. A Level 3 Early Years qualification is not required for childminders to offer funded places, but it is required for the adult counted in the 1:4 ratio for 2-year-olds in group settings.
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