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 Great Britain the average cost of sending a child under the age of two to nursery is:
£148.63 a week part-time (25 hours) that is £7,210 a year
£300 a week full-time (50 hours) that is £14,030 a year.
The average cost for families using an after-school club for five days is £67.42 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 2023Opens in a new window
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).
Useful tools
Part-time childcare costs
| Type of childcare | How much does it cost? (UK average) | How much does it cost? (inner London average) |
|---|---|---|
|
Registered childminder (25 hours for a child under two) |
£125.91 a week |
£178.98 a week |
|
Day nursery (25 hours for a child under two) |
£148.63 a week |
£199.01 a week |
|
Part-time nanny (25 hours) |
£250-£400 a week, including tax and National Insurance contributions |
– |
|
'Pocket money’ of around £90 a week, plus room and board |
– |
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from Family and Childcare Trust 2023Opens in a new window part-time nanny guideline wages from Nannyplus.co.uk and au pair pocket money rates at GOV.UKOpens in a new window
Full-time childcare costs
| Type of childcare | How much does it cost? (UK average) | How much does it cost? (inner London average) |
|---|---|---|
|
Registered childminder (50 hours for a child under two) |
£247.19 a week |
£355.07 per week |
|
Day nursery (50 hours for a child under two) |
£285.31 a week |
£394.58 a week |
|
Live-in nanny (50 hours) |
£350-£650 a week, plus:
|
|
|
Daily nanny (50 hours) |
£400-£650 a week, plus:
|
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from and part-time nanny guideline wages from Nannyplus
Find the right childcare option for you with our guide Childcare options
Informal or free childcare
| Type of childcare | How much does it cost? |
|---|---|
|
£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 £67.42 a week in Great Britain, which is nearly £2,629 a year during term time (49 weeks).
The table below shows the weekly price for an after-school club and a childminder for five to 11-year-olds during term time.
| Type of childcare | After-school club | Childminder to 6pm |
|---|---|---|
|
Great Britain |
£67.42 |
£72.36 |
|
England |
£67.68 |
£72.46 |
|
Scotland |
£63.92 |
£75.09 |
|
Wales |
£66.20 |
£69.28 |
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from Family and Childcare Trust 2023Opens in a new window
Holiday childcare costs
In 2023 the average price of holiday childcare was £157.13 per week in Great Britain.
| Nation | Average Holiday Childcare Prices |
|---|---|
|
England |
£156.43 |
|
Scotland |
£157.22 |
|
Wales |
£168.20 |
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from Family and Childcare Trust 2023Opens in a new window
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.
Find out more in our guide What benefits can I claim when I'm pregnant or have a baby?
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:
