Parents now pay an average of over £6,800 per year, for just a part-time nursery place, so it takes up a large chunk of the family budget. In areas like London, costs can be much higher. If you’re planning to return to work, it’s essential to budget carefully for your childcare costs and claim all the help that’s available.
How much does childcare cost?
The UK, the average cost of sending a child under two to nursery is:
- £131 per week - part time (25 hours)
- £252 per week - full time (50 hours).
The average cost for families using an after-school club for five days is £70 per week.
But there is help you can get with childcare costs, for example with tax free childcare you can get up to £2,000.
The tables below give you an idea of how much different childcare might cost on average if your children are too young to qualify for free early years education (England only).
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 2) |
£118 per week |
£174 per week |
|
Day nursery (25 hours for a child under 2) |
£131 per week |
£182 per week |
|
Part-time nanny (25 hours) |
£250-£400 per week including tax and NI contributions |
|
| Au pair |
‘Pocket money’ of around £70-£85 per week plus room and board |
|
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from Family and Childcare Trust, 2020; part-time nanny guideline wages from Nannyplus.co.uk; au pair pocket money rates from GOV.UK
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 2) |
£233 per week |
£330 per week |
|
Day nursery (50 hours for a child under 2) |
£252 per week |
£340 per week |
|
Live-in nanny (50 hours) |
£400 - £650 per week plus:
- tax
- National Insurance
- room and board
|
£433 per week plus:
- tax
- National Insurance
- room and board
|
| Daily nanny (50 hours) |
£500-800 per week plus:
- tax
- National Insurance
- room and board
|
£616 per week plus:
- tax
- National Insurance
- room and board
|
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from Family and Childcare Trust, 2019; part-time nanny guideline wages from Nannyplus.co.uk.
Source: Netmums playgroup/pre-school costs
Average price of an after-school club
The average cost is £61 in the UK, which is nearly £3,172 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.
| |
After School Club |
Childminder to 6pm |
| UK |
£60.99 |
£73.33 |
| England |
£61.54 |
£74.04 |
| Scotland |
£62.35 |
£67.30 |
| Wales |
£61.16 |
£70.02 |
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from Family and Childcare Trust, 2019
Holiday childcare costs
In 2018 the average price of holiday childcare was £133 per week in the UK.
| Nation |
Average Holiday Childcare Prices |
| England |
£139.60 |
| Scotland |
£123.22 |
| Wales |
£129.77 |
| UK |
£138.06 |
Source: Childminder and nursery costs from Family and Childcare Trust, holiday survey 2020.
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 a wide range of aspects to consider. One is the impact on income and costs both now and in the future.
Use our Budget planner to find out how childcare costs affect your income.
There’s help available when you have a baby, including benefits and grants from the government and your employer. Find out what you can claim.
Taking time off from a career can impact your future employment options and earning potential.
Here are some sites that could help you debate the pros and cons, Netmums, Babycentre, Mumsnetopens in new window.
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