Childcare costs: How much do you pay in England?

The cost of childcare in England depends on your child’s age, where you live, the type of childcare you choose and whether you’re eligible for funded childcare.

According to Coram’s Childcare Survey 2026, a full-time nursery place (50 hours a week) for a child under two costs an average of £148.82 a week for parents eligible for 30 funded hours. Without this entitlement, the average cost is £372.06 a week.

This guide explains the average cost of nurseries, childminders and nannies in England in 2026, including part-time and full-time fees, regional differences and how funded childcare can reduce your costs.

How much does nursery cost in England?

The average cost of nursery in England varies depending on your child’s age, the number of hours they attend and whether you’re eligible for funded childcare.

Since September 2025, eligible working parents in England have been able to receive 30 funded childcare hours a week for children aged nine months to four years, until they start school.

Funding begins from the term after your child turns nine months old, provided you meet the eligibility requirements. Funded places can start on 1 January, 1 April or 1 September.

The 30 funded hours are available for 38 weeks a year, although some nurseries allow parents to spread their entitlement across more weeks.

You can find out more in our guide to how to apply for 30 hours of free childcare.

Average weekly nursery costs in England in 2026

The following tables show average nursery costs during term time, based on Coram’s Childcare Survey 2026.

Part-time nursery costs (25 hours a week)

Child’s age	With 30 funded hours	Without working-parent entitlement
Under two	£0	£188.75
Two years	£0	£174.85
Three or four years	£0	£67.20

The £67.20 figure for three and four-year-olds includes the universal 15 funded hours, with parents paying for the remaining 10 hours.

Full-time nursery costs (50 hours a week)

Child’s age	With 30 funded hours	Without working-parent entitlement
Under two	£148.82	£372.06
Two years	£140.72	£351.81
Three or four years	£132.72	£331.79

For parents eligible for 30 funded hours, these figures represent the average cost of the remaining 20 hours a week.

For three and four-year-olds without the working-parent entitlement, the £331.79 figure includes the universal 15 funded hours, with parents paying for the remaining 35 hours.

Source: Coram Family and Childcare, Childcare Survey 2026. Figures are average weekly costs during term time and exclude additional charges.

How much does part-time nursery cost in England?

A part-time nursery place is based on 25 hours of childcare a week.

• Part-time nursery costs for under-twos: The average cost is £188.75 a week for parents who are not eligible for the 30-hour working-parent entitlement.
• Part-time nursery costs for two-year-olds: The average cost is £174.85 a week without funded childcare.
• Part-time nursery costs for three and four-year-olds: The average cost is £67.20 a week, including the universal 15 funded hours, with parents paying for the remaining 10 hours.
• Part-time nursery with 30 funded hours: Eligible working parents can access a 25-hour nursery place without paying for childcare hours during term time. Optional extras, such as meals and activities, may cost more.

Some two-year-olds whose families receive additional support are also eligible for 15 funded hours a week. For these children, the average cost of a 25-hour nursery place is £69.94 a week, with parents paying for the remaining 10 hours.

How much does a full-time nursery place cost in England?

A full-time nursery place is based on 50 hours of childcare a week.

For parents eligible for 30 funded hours, the average weekly costs are:

• Under-twos: £148.82 a week, with parents paying for 20 hours.
• Two-year-olds: £140.72 a week, with parents paying for 20 hours.
• Three and four-year-olds: £132.72 a week, with parents paying for 20 hours.

Without the 30-hour working-parent entitlement, full-time nursery costs are considerably higher.

Parents of children under two pay an average of £372.06 a week, while a full-time place for a two-year-old costs £351.81.

For three and four-year-olds, the average cost is £331.79 a week after the universal 15 funded hours have been taken into account.

These figures don’t include additional charges for optional extras.

How much does nursery cost in my area of England?

Nursery costs vary considerably across England. Where you live can make a significant difference to how much you pay.

Nurseries in inner and outer London generally have higher fees than those in northern England, although prices also vary between individual nurseries.

Average part-time nursery costs for two-year-olds by region

The table below shows the average weekly cost of a part-time nursery place (25 hours a week) for two-year-olds, depending on the family’s funded childcare entitlement.

Region	30 funded hours	15 funded hours	No funding
England average	£0	£69.94	£174.85
East Midlands	£0	£63.61	£159.02
East of England	£0	£70.27	£175.67
Inner London	£0	£88.87	£222.18
Outer London	£0	£85.60	£213.99
North East	£0	£63.64	£159.10
North West	£0	£63.20	£158.01
South East	£0	£73.84	£184.60
South West	£0	£65.93	£164.83
West Midlands	£0	£68.50	£171.26
Yorkshire and the Humber	£0	£61.51	£153.78

What the funding means:

• 30 funded hours: Eligible working parents pay nothing for 25 hours of childcare during term time.
• 15 funded hours: Eligible two-year-olds from families receiving additional support receive 15 funded hours, with parents paying for the remaining 10 hours.
• No funding: Parents pay the full cost of 25 hours of childcare.

Average full-time nursery costs for two-year-olds by region

The table below shows the average weekly cost of a full-time nursery place (50 hours a week) for two-year-olds whose parents qualify for 30 funded hours.

Region	Weekly cost with 30 funded hours
England average	£140.72
East Midlands	£129.80
East of England	£140.83
Inner London	£180.69
Outer London	£172.62
North East	£125.81
North West	£123.50
South East	£151.68
South West	£133.19
West Midlands	£137.51
Yorkshire and the Humber	£123.90

Parents pay for the remaining 20 hours a week after their 30 funded hours have been applied.

Source: Coram Family and Childcare, Childcare Survey 2026. Figures show average weekly nursery costs during term time. Additional charges may apply.

What childcare funding is available in England?

There are several funded childcare entitlements available to help parents with nursery and childminder costs.

• 30 hours for eligible working parents: Parents who meet the eligibility requirements can receive 30 funded hours a week for children aged nine months to four years, from the term after their child reaches nine months old.
• 15 hours for eligible two-year-olds: Some two-year-olds qualify for 15 funded hours a week if their family receives certain benefits or the child meets other eligibility criteria, such as being in care.
• 15 hours for all three and four-year-olds: All three and four-year-olds in England are entitled to 15 funded hours a week, regardless of their parents’ employment status or income.

These entitlements normally cover 38 weeks a year. Children who qualify for more than one entitlement cannot simply add all the hours together to receive more than 30 funded hours a week.

Are there extra charges for funded childcare?

Funded childcare covers the childcare hours themselves, but parents may be asked to pay for additional services.

These can include meals, snacks, nappies, sun cream and optional activities.

However, providers must not make these charges compulsory as a condition of accessing funded hours. They must offer reasonable alternatives, such as allowing parents to provide their own consumables.

Providers cannot charge top-up fees for funded childcare hours.

A nursery or childminder may ask for a refundable deposit to secure a funded place. Under the funding rules, this must be refunded in full by the end of the term in which the child takes up the place. The provider may retain it if the parent does not take up the place.

Parents should ask for an itemised breakdown of all fees before accepting a place.

How much does a childminder cost in England?

Childminders provide childcare in a home setting, usually caring for a smaller group of children than a nursery.

The cost depends on your child’s age, where you live, the hours you need and whether you qualify for funded childcare.

How much does a part-time childminder cost?

A part-time childminder place is based on 25 hours a week.

• Part-time childminder costs with funding: Parents eligible for 30 funded hours a week pay nothing for a 25-hour childminder place for a child under two during term time. Optional extras may cost more.
• Part-time childminder costs without funding: The average cost of a 25-hour childminder place for a child under two in England is £155.28 a week for parents who are not eligible for funded childcare.

How much does a full-time childminder cost?

A full-time childminder place is based on 50 hours a week.

• Full-time childminder costs for under-twos: The average cost is £122.32 a week for parents eligible for 30 funded hours, with parents paying for the remaining 20 hours.
• Full-time childminder costs for two-year-olds: The average cost is £120.89 a week for parents eligible for 30 funded hours, with parents paying for the remaining 20 hours.

These are average costs during term time. Childminders may have different arrangements for holidays, meals and additional hours.

Source: Coram Family and Childcare, Childcare Survey 2026.

How much does a nanny cost in England?

A nanny provides childcare in your own home and may offer more flexibility than a nursery or childminder.

The cost depends on where you live, the nanny’s experience, the hours required and whether the nanny lives with your family.

According to Nannytax’s 2025/26 Salary Guide, average gross salaries for full-time, live-out nannies working 50 hours a week are:

Area	Average annual gross salary
Inner London	£56,238
Home Counties and outer London	£58,864
Rest of the UK	£45,656

These figures are gross salaries, rather than the total cost to parents.

Families employing a nanny may also need to budget for employer National Insurance contributions, pension contributions, payroll administration and other employment costs.

Unlike nursery fees, a nanny’s salary does not usually increase in direct proportion to the number of children being cared for. This can make a nanny worth considering for families with two or more children.

Source: Nannytax Salary Guide 2025/26.

Is a nanny cheaper than a nursery?

A nanny is usually more expensive than a nursery place for one child, particularly when funded childcare is taken into account.

However, the difference may be smaller for families with several children because a nanny can often care for siblings together.

A nanny may also provide more flexibility around working hours, school collections and childcare in your own home.

When comparing costs, consider:

• Number of children: A nanny may be more cost-effective for families with several children.
• Funded childcare: Eligible parents can use funded hours at participating nurseries and childminders, significantly reducing costs.
• Working hours: Nannies may offer more flexibility if you work shifts or need childcare outside standard nursery hours.
• Additional expenses: Nursery fees may include some meals and activities, while employing a nanny can involve additional employment costs.

The best option depends on your family’s childcare needs, working arrangements and budget.