Childcare costs differ based on where you live in the UK, what type of childcare you need and how many hours per week you need someone to care for your child. In this article, you can find out how much you can expect to pay for the different kinds of early years childcare available.
Table of contents
How much does childcare cost?
This year, the average cost of childcare has actually significantly decreased in England. This is thanks to the extension of 15 and 30 funded hours for working parents. As of September 2024, working parents can now qualify for this funding from when their child is 9 months old (previously it was 2 years).
| Part time (25 hours a week) | Full time (50 hours a week) | |
| England for a child aged under 2 | £188.75 (not including funded hours) | £148.82 (including funded hours) |
| England for a child aged 2 | £69.94 (including funded hours) £174.85 (not including funded hours) | £140.42 (including funded hours) |
| Scotland for a child aged under 2 | £133.08 | £259.10 |
| Scotland for a child aged 2 | £133.30 | £259.68 |
| Wales for a child aged under 2 | £163.33 | £325.12 |
| Wales for a child aged 2 | £166.01 | £329.84 |
Childcare services for children under two are generally more expensive because of higher staff ratios.
Free childcare
The cost of putting your child in a nursery or using a different service can be expensive. There are some ways to get financial support depending on how much you earn.
England
Currently, all parents in England can claim 15 funded childcare hours a week if their child is aged three to four years old. Working parents of three and four-year-olds can claim 30 hours of funded childcare.
Since September 2024, working parents of children aged nine months and above can claim 15 hours government funded childcare.
As of September 2025, all eligible working parents of children aged under five in England can claim 30 hours funded childcare. These hours are for 38 weeks a year, not 52.
Scotland
In Scotland, all three and four-year-olds and some eligible two-year-olds are entitled to 30 free childcare hours a week.
Wales
In Wales, every child aged three or four is entitled to at least 10 free childcare hours. Working parents of three and four year olds can have an additional 20 hours per week
Additionally, parents in the UK can receive up to £2,000 per child to pay for the fees through tax-free childcare. You can receive up to £4,000 if your child is disabled.
Follow this link to discover how you can get help with childcare costs.
Part-time (25 hours) childcare costs
| England | Scotland | Wales | |
| Nursery for child under 2 | £188.75 (not including funding) | £133.08 | £163.33 |
| Nursery for child aged 2 | £69.94 (including funding) | £133.30 | £166.01 |
| Childminder for child under 2 | £155.28 (not including funding) | £145.65 | £136.96 |
| Childminder for child aged 2 | £60.67 (including funding) | £145.25 | £138.02 |
How much is part-time nursery?
Children under two
In the UK, a part-time (25 hours) nursery place for a child under two costs on average £9,438 per year (50 weeks) in England (not including funded hours), £6,654 in Scotland and £8,167 in Wales.
Per week, the cost of a part-time nursery place is £70.51 in England with 15 hours working parent funding, or £176.27 without funded hours. It is £122.38 in Scotland, and £155.04 in Wales.
Children aged two
Part-time nursery for a two-year old child is £3,450 per year (52 weeks) in England, £6,487 in Scotland and £7,600 in Wales.
Per week, a part-time nursery place for a two-year-old is £66.34 in England, £124.75 in Scotland and £146.15 in Wales.
Children entitled to free hours in England
The average cost of part-time childcare (including nurseries and childminders) is £63.54 per week for a child entitled to 15 hours funded by the Government. This is based on them attending 25 hours a week, paying for 10 and getting 15 for funded.
How much is a childminder?
The cost of 25 hours per week of childcare for a child under two by a childminder is on average £3,108 per year (52 weeks) in England, £7,165 in Scotland and £6,653 in Wales.
Per week, the price of a childminder is £59.76 in England, £137.79 in Scotland, and £127.95 in Wales.
How much is a part-time nanny?
The average price for a part-time nanny (25 hours) is between £250 to £400 per week, plus National Insurance contributions.
How much in an au pair?
Au pairs are generally treated as family members and receive ‘pocket money’ each week. According to the UK government, the pocket money amount is usually at least £90 per week.
Full-time (50 hours) childcare costs
| England | Scotland | Wales | |
| Nursery for child under 2 | £148.82 | £259.10 | £325.12 |
| Nursery for child aged 2 | £140.72 | £259.68 | £329.84 |
| Childminder for child under 2 | £122.32 | £286.53 | £271.78 |
| Childminder for child aged 2 | £120.89 | £290.65 | £270.35 |
How much is day nursery (full-time)?
Children under two
A full-time (50 hours) nursery place for a child under two costs on average £7,441 in England, £12,955 in Scotland or £16,256 in Wales.
Per week, a full-time nursery place is £148.82 in England (with funded hours, so paying for 20 hours), £259.10 in Scotland and £325.12 in Wales.
Children aged two
For full time nursery for a two year old, parents can expect to pay a weekly average of £140.72 in England (including funded hours and paying for 20). In Scotland it’s £259.68 and in Wales it’s £329.84.
Per year, this means full time nursery costs on average £7,036 per year (50 weeks) for a child aged two in England, £12,984 in Scotland and £16,492 in Wales.
How much is a full-time child minder?
The average price of 50 hours of care per week for a child under two years old by a childminder is £6,116 in England, £14,327 in Scotland and £13,589 in Wales.
Per week, a full-time childminder costs £122.32 in England, £286.53 in Scotland and £271.78 in Wales.
How much is a full-time nanny?
A live-in nanny (50 hours) will cost you between £400 to £650 each week in addition to National Insurance contributions.
What other childcare options are there?
Many parents who work 9-5 during the holidays or for any other reason are unable to pick their child up from nursery or pre-school may have to pay for additional childcare.
After school clubs
The average weekly cost of after-school clubs in Britain is £71.59, which equates to £2,792 per year during term time (39 weeks).
Holiday childcare costs
Holiday childcare is a solution for working parents outside of term time when many early years settings are closed.
Parents in the UK can expect to pay, on average, £138 per week.
Playgroups
Playgroups offer children pre-school experiences. The sessions are often run in the morning, during lunch or in the afternoon during term time.
Sessions range in cost. They can be between £5 to £15 depending on the age of the child.
Family childcare
Having a family member care for your child could be an option. This can be free. If you do decide to pay them for looking after your child you may not be entitled to help with costs.
Be mindful of extra costs
Some nurseries charge extra for things like nappies and meals. So make sure to check if there are any additional costs on top of admission fees.
FAQs
Are nursery meals free?
Some nurseries charge extra for things like meals and nappies. Make sure to check if there are any additional costs on top of admission fees.
Is after school club free?
The average weekly cost of after school clubs in Britain is £71.59 , which equates to just under £2,800 per year during term time (39 weeks).
How much does a nursery place cost in 2026?
The average cost of a part-time nursery place for a child under two is £9,438 per year (50 weeks) in England, not including funded hours. A full-time place for a child under two at nursery, including funding, is £7,441 in England for a full year (50 weeks).
How much does childcare cost?
Childcare costs, including nursery fees, vary depending on where you live in the UK and how many hours per week you need someone to look after your child. A part-time (25 hours) nursery place for a child under two is on average £188.75 per week in England, reduced to £69.94 for a child aged two. A full-time (50 hours) nursery place for a child under two is on average £148.82 in England, while you can expect to pay £140.72 per week if your child is two years old.
How much does full-time (50 hours) childcare cost?
Sending a child under two to nursery full-time costs on average £148.82 a week in England and £140.72 for a two-year-old. A full-time childminder will charge on average £122.32 to look after a child under two in England. These figures include funding.
How much does part-time (25 hours) childcare cost?
A part-time nursery place for a child under two is on average £188.75 per week in England (if you don’t qualify for funding) and £69.94 for children aged two (with funding). Paying a childminder to look after a child under two for 25 hours a week is £155.28 in England.
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