Estimate childcare expenses, compare nursery fees, and discover government funding options with our comprehensive childcare cost calculator
Calculate costs for nurseries, childminders, and after-school care across the UK
Childcare costs in the UK are among the highest in Europe, with the average family spending £7,000-15,000 annually per child. Our childcare calculator helps you budget accurately by factoring in location, childcare type, your child's age, and available government funding schemes.
Whether you're considering a nursery, childminder, after-school club, or nanny, understanding the true cost of childcare is essential for financial planning. The calculator accounts for regional variations, with London families typically paying 30-40% more than those in other regions.
This guide explains how to use our childcare cost calculator effectively, breaks down average costs across different childcare options, and helps you understand the government funding schemes available to reduce your expenses.
Comprehensive tools for accurate cost estimation
Calculate costs for nurseries, childminders, nannies, after-school clubs, holiday clubs, and au pairs. Compare options side-by-side to find the best fit for your family.
Accurate estimates based on your location. London, South East, and major cities have significantly higher costs than other UK regions.
Different rates for babies under 2, toddlers aged 2-3, and children over 3. Infant care typically costs 20-30% more than care for older children.
Automatically factors in 15 or 30 hours free childcare, Tax-Free Childcare, and Universal Credit childcare costs support to show your true out-of-pocket expenses.
Calculate costs for full-time, part-time, term-time only, or wraparound care. Adjust hours per week and weeks per year for precise estimates.
Calculate combined costs for siblings with sibling discounts applied. Many providers offer 5-10% discounts for additional children.
Our calculator uses real-time UK childcare cost data to provide accurate estimates tailored to your specific circumstances and location.
Understanding what you'll pay for different types of care
The most expensive option, with full-time nursery care for babies costing around £270 per week or £1,160-1,400 per month. London and South East prices can reach £2,000+ monthly.
Slightly cheaper than infant care, averaging £232 per week. Prices drop further once your child is eligible for government-funded hours at age 3.
More affordable than nurseries, typically £200-240 per week. Childminders often offer flexible hours and a home environment.
The most expensive childcare option, with live-out nannies costing £10-15 per hour gross (£400-600 per week for 40 hours), plus employer NI contributions.
Typically 3-6pm, costing £10-15 per session. Weekly costs for 5 days range from £50-75, making it affordable wraparound care for school-age children.
Full-day holiday care during school breaks, costing £35-50 per day or £175-250 per week. Essential for working parents during school holidays.
Understanding your childcare options
Cost: £232-270/week
Regulated settings offering structured learning and socialization. Open 8am-6pm weekdays, accepting children from 3 months to 5 years. Qualified staff provide EYFS curriculum.
Cost: £200-240/week
Registered professionals caring for children in their own home. Offer flexible hours, home-cooked meals, and mixed-age groups. Limited to 6 children under 8 years.
Cost: £400-600/week
Employed directly by you to care for children in your home. Offers maximum flexibility, one-on-one attention, and can include light housework. Requires PAYE setup.
Cost: £100-150/month
Part-time educational settings for 2-5 year olds, typically 9am-3pm during term time only. Focus on school readiness and social development through play-based learning.
Cost: £70-85/week + accommodation
Young person living with your family providing up to 25-30 hours of childcare per week. Includes accommodation and meals. Suitable for light childcare and cultural exchange.
Cost: £8-15/session
Before and after school care at primary schools or nearby facilities. Breakfast clubs run 7:30-8:45am, after-school clubs 3-6pm. Provide snacks, homework help, and activities.
Financial help available to UK families
All children aged 3-4 in England receive 15 hours per week of free childcare during term time (38 weeks per year), totaling 570 hours annually. Worth around £2,500 per year.
Eligibility: All 3-4 year olds the term after their 3rd birthday. Automatic entitlement, no income criteria.
Working parents of 3-4 year olds can access 30 hours per week (1,140 hours annually) worth approximately £5,000 per year in free childcare.
Eligibility: Both parents working (or sole parent if single), earning at least National Minimum Wage for 16 hours per week but under £100,000 annually each.
Eligible 2 year olds receive 15 hours per week of free childcare during term time, worth around £2,500-3,000 per year.
Eligibility: Low income families receiving benefits (Universal Credit, Income Support, JSA), children with SEN, looked after children, or those with disabilities.
Government tops up childcare payments by 20% (up to £2,000 per child per year, or £4,000 for disabled children). Pay £8,000 and receive £10,000 of childcare.
Eligibility: Both parents working, earning under £100,000 each annually. Cannot be used alongside Childcare Vouchers or Universal Credit childcare costs.
Universal Credit claimants can claim back up to 85% of eligible childcare costs (max £1,014/month for 1 child, £1,739/month for 2+ children).
Eligibility: Receiving Universal Credit, working at least 16 hours per week, using registered or approved childcare provider.
If already enrolled before scheme closed in 2018, you can continue receiving tax and NI-free vouchers worth up to £933 annually (basic rate taxpayers).
Eligibility: Only available to those enrolled before October 2018. New applicants must use Tax-Free Childcare instead.
Step-by-step guide to accurate cost estimation
Select your region or postcode to get location-specific costs. London and South East England have significantly higher childcare costs than other UK regions, with differences of 30-50%.
Select from nursery, childminder, nanny, preschool, or after-school care. You can compare multiple types simultaneously to see cost differences and find the best option for your family.
Enter your child's age (or expected age when care starts). Infant care (under 2) costs more than care for older children. Add multiple children if calculating costs for siblings.
Specify hours per day, days per week, and weeks per year. Choose full-time (50 hours/week), part-time (25-30 hours), or custom schedules. Select term-time only or year-round care.
The calculator automatically suggests eligible funding schemes based on your child's age and circumstances. See how 15 or 30 free hours reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
See weekly, monthly, and annual costs before and after government funding. The calculator shows the breakdown of costs and potential savings from different funding schemes.
How location affects your childcare expenses
Average: £380-420/week
The UK's most expensive region for childcare. Full-time nursery costs £1,600-1,800 monthly. Childminders charge £300-350 weekly. Demand significantly exceeds supply.
Average: £300-360/week
Second highest costs in the UK. Full-time nursery averages £1,300-1,500 monthly. Competition for places remains high, particularly in Surrey, Kent, and Hertfordshire.
Average: £230-270/week
Moderate costs with significant variation. Bristol and Bath have higher prices (£260-300/week), while rural Devon and Cornwall are more affordable (£200-240/week).
Average: £240-280/week
Areas closer to London (Essex, Cambridge) have higher costs. East Anglia offers more affordable options, with full-time nursery care averaging £1,000-1,200 monthly.
Average: £210-250/week
More affordable than southern regions. Birmingham and Nottingham nurseries average £230-260 per week. Rural Midlands offer the region's best value at £190-220 weekly.
Average: £190-230/week
Most affordable region in England. Full-time nursery care in Manchester, Leeds, and Newcastle costs £200-240 weekly (£850-1,000 monthly), 40-50% less than London.
Average: £200-240/week
Edinburgh and Glasgow prices similar to Northern England (£220-260/week). Scotland offers additional funded hours: 1,140 hours annually for all 3-4 year olds, regardless of parent employment.
Average: £185-220/week
Among the UK's most affordable regions. Cardiff averages £210-240 weekly, while North and West Wales offer excellent value at £170-200 per week for full-time nursery care.
Average: £180-210/week
The UK's most affordable childcare. Belfast nurseries charge £190-220 weekly. Rural areas offer even lower costs, with some full-time childcare under £170 per week.
Common questions about calculating childcare costs
Our calculator uses real-time data from thousands of UK childcare providers and government statistics. Estimates are typically within 5-10% of actual costs. Final costs depend on specific provider rates, which vary by location, qualifications, and facilities offered.
The average UK family pays £138 per week for part-time childcare (25 hours) or £263 per week for full-time care (50 hours). This translates to £600-1,140 monthly or £7,200-13,700 annually per child. London costs are 30-50% higher.
Yes, if you meet eligibility criteria. Two-year-olds from low-income families, those receiving certain benefits, children with SEN, or looked after children qualify for 15 hours per week of free childcare during term time (570 hours annually).
For every £8 you pay into your Tax-Free Childcare account, the government adds £2 (20% top-up). You can receive up to £2,000 per child per year (£500 quarterly). Maximum government contribution requires you to pay in £8,000 annually per child.
Registered childcare includes Ofsted-registered nurseries, childminders, preschools, after-school clubs, and nannies registered with an approved home childcare agency. Informal arrangements with family members or unregistered providers don't qualify for government funding schemes.
You can use free childcare hours (15 or 30 hours) with Tax-Free Childcare for any additional hours you pay for. However, you cannot combine Tax-Free Childcare with Childcare Vouchers or Universal Credit childcare costs - you must choose one.
Use the government's Childcare Choices website (www.childcarechoices.gov.uk) or your local authority's Family Information Service. Ofsted publishes inspection reports for all registered providers. Visit several providers, ask about availability, fees, and request references from current parents.
Ask about hourly/daily rates, deposit requirements, payment terms (monthly/weekly), charges for meals and consumables, late collection fees, notice periods for leaving, sibling discounts, and whether they accept government funding vouchers. Request a full written fee schedule.
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