What Will Childcare Cost You?
Compare nursery, childminder and nanny costs in your region. Updated for 2025: Includes 30 hours & consumable charges
Your Child
Type of Childcare
Hours Needed
Government Support
Working parents earning £195-£100k each can get up to 30 hrs/week (from 9 months old).
Government contributes 20% of eligible costs (up to £2,000/year per child).
If working and on UC, you can claim back up to 85% of childcare costs (max £1,031.88/month for 1 child).
Estimated Net Cost to You
£1,200
per month
£14,400
per year
Cost Breakdown
Compare Childcare Types in Your Region
* Costs shown are after your selected government support is applied.
Weekly cost
£300
Hourly rate
£7.50
You save
£7,400/yr
Ways to Reduce Your Childcare Costs
Nanny Share
Share a nanny with another family to split costs 50/50. Your child gets socialisation and you save thousands.
Stretch Your Free Hours
Use 30 free hours over 52 weeks instead of 38 = 22 hrs/week all year. Less intense but year-round coverage.
Grandparent Help
Even 1-2 days of grandparent care saves 20-40% on childcare. Consider if they can cover school holidays.
Employer Benefits
Ask HR about workplace nurseries, childcare vouchers (if grandfathered), or emergency childcare schemes.
This calculator provides estimates only. Actual costs vary by provider. Free hours are usually term-time only (38 weeks). Consumables charges are estimated at £1.50/hr but vary by provider. Nanny costs include estimated employer NI/pension contributions (+15%).
Costs based on typical regional averages. Sources consulted: Coram Family and Childcare Survey 2025, Nannytax Salary Index 2025.