UK Childcare Cost Calculator
Estimate the full annual cost of nursery, childminder, nanny or after-school club for your family. Full-time nursery places in the UK average £14,000–£15,000 per year — often more than a mortgage.
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Costs vary widely by region — London is roughly 30–40% more expensive than the rest of the UK — and by provider type, with nannies typically the most expensive and childminders the cheapest. All 3–4 year olds receive 15 free hours in term time, and working parents qualify for 30 free hours from age 9 months in 2026.
This calculator focuses on your gross childcare bill: hours, provider type and free-hours entitlements. To layer government top-ups on top, use the tax free childcare calculator or the Universal Credit calculator.
Based on current UK childcare costs and free hours entitlements. Last updated: April 2026.
Childcare Details
Government-funded childcare hours
England funded-hours model: enter your confirmed entitlement. Funding covers 38 weeks; other UK nations have different schemes.
Government pays 20% of the eligible bill, subject to caps
Tax-Free Childcare calculation checked: 1 October 2026. Funded-hours eligibility is assumed from your selections.
Your Childcare Costs
Annual Cost (After Support)
£6,750.00
Monthly
£562.50
Weekly
£132.35
Total Annual Savings
£8,550.00
Cost Breakdown
(1140 free hours × £7.50)
Before & After Support
Without Support
£15,300.00
/year
With Support
£6,750.00
/year
You save 56% with government support
📊 Budget for childcare costs
Emma helps families track spending, manage bills, and budget for childcare alongside all your other outgoings.
Try Emma for freeWhat this means for working parents
Full-time nursery is one of the largest expenses a UK family will face — often more than a mortgage. In England, eligible working parents with children aged 9 months to 4 years can access up to 30 funded hours per week for 38 weeks. Funding starts from the relevant term after the age threshold, subject to application deadlines; other UK nations have different schemes.
Once you know your gross bill, the next step is layering on government support. Eligible working families can use Tax-Free Childcare to cover 20% of the remaining bill, subject to £500 per child every 3 months (up to £2,000 over four periods) — check yours with the Tax-Free Childcare calculator. Lower-income households on Universal Credit can claim up to 85% of childcare costs instead.
Understanding Free Childcare Hours
This table covers England's funded childcare schemes. Other UK nations have different rules. The amount you're entitled to depends on your child's age and your work status.
| Age | Entitlement | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| 9 months - 2 years | 30 hours/week | Eligible working parents |
| 2 years old | 15 hours/week | Eligible benefits or other qualifying circumstances; working-parent scheme offers 30 hours |
| 3-4 years old | 15 hours/week | All children (universal) |
| 3-4 years old | 30 hours/week | Working parents |
Important: Term-Time Only
Free hours are calculated over 38 weeks (school term time). You can "stretch" them across more weeks by using fewer hours per week. For example, 15 hours over 38 weeks = 570 hours, which could be 11 hours over 51 weeks.
Term-Time vs Full-Year Childcare
Term-Time Only (38 weeks)
- ✓ Cheaper overall (pay for fewer weeks)
- ✓ Free hours cover higher proportion
- ✗ Need alternative care during holidays
- ✗ Harder for working parents to manage
Best for: Part-time workers, parents with flexible jobs, or those with family help during holidays.
Full-Year (51 weeks)
- ✓ Consistent care year-round
- ✓ No holiday childcare gaps
- ✗ Higher total cost
- ✗ Free hours cover smaller proportion
Best for: Full-time working parents, those without family support for holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
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