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?
The average cost of sending a child under the age of two to nursery in Great Britain is:
£157.68 a week part-time (25 hours) that is £7,569 a year
£302.10 a week full-time (50 hours) that is £14,501 a year.
The average cost for families using an after-school club for five days is £69.14 a week.
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from Coram Family and Childcare Trust 2024Opens in a new window
Find the right childcare option for you with our guide Childcare options.
Check what help you could get including Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit in our guide Help with childcare costs.
Useful tools
Part-time childcare costs
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).
| 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) |
£132.20 a week |
£197.38 a week |
|
Day nursery (25 hours for a child under two) |
£157.68 a week |
£218.49 a week |
|
Part-time nanny (25 hours) |
£388 a week |
£444.50 a week |
|
Au pair |
National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, plus room and board |
– |
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from Coram Family and Childcare 2024Opens in a new window
Part-time nanny costs from The Nannytax Salary Index 2023/2024
Aupair costs from 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) |
£253.02 a week |
£394.78 a week |
|
Nursery (50 hours for a child under two) |
£302.10 a week |
£428.26 a week |
|
Daily nanny (50 hours) |
£776 a week |
£889 a week |
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from Coram Family and Childcare 2024Opens in a new window
Nanny cost from The Nannytax Salary Index 2023/2024Opens in a new window
Informal or free childcare
| Type of childcare | How much does it cost? |
|---|---|
|
Playgroup or pre-school |
£5-£10 per three-hour session |
|
A Sure Start childrens centre |
Depends on your household income - some play sessions can be free |
|
Nursery School |
Free if it’s part of the state school system |
|
Family arrangement |
Can be free, but if you intend to pay a family member for childcare, you might not qualify for help with childcare costs. |
|
Shared childcare arrangement |
Technically free, but you’ll need to factor in loss of income. |
Average price of an after-school club
The average cost of after-school club is £69.14 a week, which is £2,697 a year during term time (39 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.
| Country | After-school club | Childminder to 6pm |
|---|---|---|
|
Lloegr |
£69.22 |
£75.45 |
|
Yr Alban |
£67.27 |
£84.25 |
|
Cymru |
£68.89 |
£79.52 |
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from Coram Family and Childcare 2024Opens in a new window
Holiday childcare costs
In 2024 the average price of holiday childcare was £175 per week in England, Scotland and Wales.
| Country | Average holiday childcare prices |
|---|---|
|
England |
£173.14 |
|
Scotland |
£167.49 |
|
Wales |
£208.82 |
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from Coram Holiday Childcare Survey 2024Opens 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:
