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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 will find out how much you can expect to pay for the different kinds of early years childcare available.
These statistics were gathered by charity Coram in their Childcare Survey 2025.
How much does childcare cost in 2025?
This year, the average cost of childcare has actually significantly decreased in England. This is thanks to the extension of 15 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 | £70.51 | £238.95 |
| England for a child aged 2 | £66.34 | £225.70 |
| Scotland for a child aged under 2 | £122.38 | £239.78 |
| Scotland for a child aged 2 | £124.75 | £235.49 |
| Wales for a child aged under 2 | £155.04 | £290.06 |
| Wales for a child aged 2 | £146.15 | £279.14 |
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 free 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 free childcare.
Since September 2024, working parents of children aged nine months and above can claim 15 hours government funded childcare.
From September 2025, all eligible working parents of children aged under five in England will be able to claim 30 hours free 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 in 2025
| England | Scotland | Wales | |
| Nursery for child under 2 | £70.51 | £122.38 | £155.04 |
| Nursery for child aged 2 | £66.34 | £124.75 | £146.15 |
| Childminder for child under 2 | £59.76 | £137.79 | £127.65 |
| Childminder for child aged 2 | £57.75 | £130.05 | £129.33 |
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 £3,667 per year (52 weeks) in England (with 15 funded hours), £6,364 in Scotland and £8,062 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 in 2025
| England | Scotland | Wales | |
| Nursery for child under 2 | £238.95 | £239.78 | £290.06 |
| Nursery for child aged 2 | £225.70 | £235.49 | £279.14 |
| Childminder for child under 2 | £202.09 | £259.53 | £259.51 |
| Childminder for child aged 2 | £198.59 | £259.67 | £251.30 |
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 £12,425 in England (with 15 funded hours), £12,469 in Scotland or £15,083 in Wales.
Per week, a full-time nursery place is £238.95 in England (with 15 funded hours, so paying for 35 hours), £239.78 in Scotland and £290.06 in Wales.
Children aged two
For full time nursery for a two year old, parents can expect to pay a weekly average of £225.70 in England (including 15 funded hours and paying for 35). In Scotland it’s £235.49 and in Wales it’s £279.14.
Per year, this means full time nursery for a two year old costs on average £11,736 per year (52 weeks) for a child aged two in England, £12,245 in Scotland and £14,515 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 £10,509 in England, £13,496 in Scotland and £13,495 in Wales.
Per week, a full-time childminder costs £202.09 in England, £259.53 in Scotland and £259.51 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.
Other childcare options and services
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 £66.48, which equates to £2,593 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.
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