Childcare costs can take up a large chunk of your family’s income. If you’re planning to return to work, it’s essential to budget carefully and claim all the help that’s available.
How much does childcare cost?
In the UK, the average cost of sending a child under the age of two to nursery is:
- £138 a week part-time (25 hours)
- £263 a week full-time (50 hours).
The average cost for families using an after-school club for five days is £62 a week.
But there is help you can get with childcare costs. For example with tax-free childcare, you can get up to £2,000.
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from Family and Childcare Trust, 2020
Find out more about the childcare help that's available in this step-by-step guide on the GOV.UK website
The tables below give you an idea of how much different childcare might cost if your children are too young to qualify for free early years education (England only).
Part-time childcare costs
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from Family and Childcare Trust, 2021 part-time nanny guideline wages from Nannyplus.co.uk and au pair pocket money rates from the GOV.UK website.
Full-time childcare costs
Live-in nanny (50 hours)
£400 – £650 a week, plus:
- tax
- National Insurance
- room and board
£433 a week, plus:
- tax
- National Insurance
- room and board
Daily nanny (50 hours)
£500 – 800 a week, plus:
- tax
- National Insurance
- room and board
£616 a week, plus:
- tax
- National Insurance
- room and board
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from and part-time nanny guideline wages from Nannyplus
Informal or free childcare
£5 – £10 per three-hour session
Depends on your household income - some play sessions can be free.
Free if it’s part of the state school system.
Can be free, but if you intend to pay a family member for childcare, you might not qualify for help with childcare costs.
Technically free, but you’ll need to factor in loss of income, and you
Average price of an after-school club
The average cost is £62 a week in the UK, which is nearly £3,224 a year during term time.
The table below shows the weekly price for an after-school club and a childminder for five to 11-year-olds during term time.
Great Britain
£62.13
£71.06
England
£62.56
£71.55
Scotland
£62.86
£69.91
Wales
£54.13
£63.65
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from Family and Childcare Trust, 2021
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Holiday childcare costs
In 2021 the average price of holiday childcare was £138 per week in the UK.
England
£139.60
Scotland
£123.22
Wales
£129.77
UK
£138.06
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from Family and Childcare Trust holiday survey
Stay-at-home parent
Whether you choose to work full-time or part-time – or be a stay-at-home parent – is a very personal decision.
There are many things to consider. One is the impact on your income and career, and childcare costs both now and in the future.
To find out how childcare costs affect your income, try our free and easy-to-use Budget Planner
There’s help available when you have a baby – including benefits and grants from the government and your employer.
Is your household income feeling squeezed by Covid?
Check you’re getting all the benefits or grants you might be entitled to.
Find extra money by signing up for the free Bounce Back service from the experts at Income Max.
Visit the Income Max website
Taking time off from a career can affect your future employment options and earning potential.
Here are some sites that could help you debate the pros and cons:
