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The cost of childcare weighs on many parents’ minds. Finding the right childcare option for your child, your family and your budget can be a challenge. While prices vary depending on the childcare provider you choose and where you live (costs are higher in London to account for the cost of living), below are some average prices to help you compare the cheapest childcare that fits your needs.
These figures are averages calculated by charity Coram in their Childcare Survey 2025.
What childcare options are there?
Nurseries
Day nurseries offer full early years care and education for children, usually from 3 months old (though some take children from six weeks) until they are ready to start school. They offer a structured approach to care and learning through daily routines and following their respective country’s curriculum.
Pre-schools
Pre-schools are for children aged two to five, with more focus on getting them mentally and physically ready for school. Many nurseries incorporate a pre-school into their setting, as do some primary schools. Pre-school sessions are part-time.
Childminders
A childminder looks after children in their own home. They are registered with Ofsted in England, the Care Inspectorate in Scotland and Care Inspectorate Wales in Wales and inspected regularly. They follow the early years curriculum and care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight.
Nannies
Nannies are hired privately and care for children in one or more families. Many hold early years qualifications (such as Norland Nannies, who earn a Bachelor of Arts from the prestigious Norland College). They care for children in your home and can be live-in or live-out.
Au pairs
Au pairs come to the UK from overseas and live with a host family. You give them their own room, welcome them as part of your family and they provide childcare and sometimes help around the home. Au pairs are generally aged in their late teens or early twenties and often take the position for a set period of time, such as a gap year or the summer holidays, to earn some money and improve their English.
Playgroups
Playgroups often take place in community spaces and are a chance for children and parents to socialise. They are usually charged per session, which is about 1-3 hours long.
Summer holiday childcare
Read more about childcare during the summer holidays here.
What funding is there to help with childcare?
A popular option for families across the UK is tax-free childcare. For those eligible, the UK Government will pay £2 on top of every £8 you spend on childcare, essentially cancelling out the tax.
Parents on low income or out of work can be eligible for Universal Credit, which is replacing Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. Part of this is the ‘Childcare Element’, which can cover up to 85% of monthly childcare costs. This money is provided up front, rather than families having to claim it back as they did before.
England
All children aged three or four, and sometimes two-year-olds, can have 15 hours free childcare per week. From September 2024, this was extended to children aged 9 months and older for working parents.
Working families can be eligible for an additional 15, totalling 30 hours free childcare per week. This will be available to children aged 9 months and over from September 2025
Scotland
All three and four-year-olds and some eligible two-year-olds are entitled to 1140 hours free early learning childcare per year. This used to be 600 a year but was increased in 2021, although in some areas it remains 600. This works out at 30 hours per week of free childcare if you use it just in term time or 22 hours per week if you use it throughout the year.
Wales
Each child aged three or four is entitled to at least 10 hours per week (48 weeks per year) at a Foundation Phase Nursery for free. Many children with working parents (including single parents) can have an additional 20 hours per week
Northern Ireland
All three and four-year-olds are entitled to 12.5 hours free pre-school education. These are less flexible than the Scottish funded hours, and must be used at 2.5 hours a day, 5 days a week in a pre-school setting.
You can get more help with childcare costs if your child is disabled.
How much does a nursery or pre-school cost?
Average cost for full-time nursery (50 hours a week)
| Child under 2 | Child aged 2 | |
| England | £238.95 per week £12,425 per year | £225.70 per week £11,736 per year |
| Scotland | £239.78 per week £12,469 per year | £235.49 per week £12,245 per year |
| Wales | £290.06 per week £15,083 per year | £279.14 per week £14,515 per year |
Average cost for part-time nursery (25 hours a week)
| Child under 2 | Child aged 2 | |
| England | £70.51 per week £3,667 per year | £66.34 per week £3,450 per year |
| Scotland | £122.38 per week £6,364 per year | £124.75 per week £6,487 per year |
| Wales | £155.04 per week £8,062 per year | £146.15 per week £7,600 per year |
Benefits of nurseries and pre-school
- A structured early years education. All nurseries registered with their education watchdog are regularly inspected and follow their country’s curriculum. A 2021 study by SEED found that children who attended good quality early childhood education and care performed the best academically at Key Stage 1.
- Opportunity to socialise and make friends early on. This can help children to learn social skills like sharing and taking turns, increase their communication skills and boost their confidence.
- Children get used to the routine of going out each morning, being around other children and being away from you for a few hours each day. This can help with the transition into school and increase their independence.
What funding for nursery could I be eligible for?
- Tax-free childcare (all UK)
- 15 hours free childcare (England)
- 30 hours free childcare (England)
- 1140 hours free childcare (Scotland)
- 10 or 30 hours free childcare for three and four-year olds (Wales)
- Flying Start scheme (12.5 hours a week for two-year-olds) (Wales)
- 12.5 hours a week free childcare (Northern Ireland)
- Sure Start programme (Northern Ireland)
How much does a registered childminder cost?
| Full time Child aged under 2 | Full time Child aged 2 | Part time Child aged under 2 | Part time Child aged 2 | |
| England | £202.09 | £198.59 | £59.76 | £57.75 |
| Scotland | £259.53 | £259.67 | £137.79 | £130.05 |
| Wales | £259.51 | £251.30 | £127.65 | £129.33 |
Benefits of childminders
- Families with multiple children can have them cared for together; childminders can usually collect older children from school.
- Low adult to child ratio.
What funding for childcare could I be eligible for?
- Tax-free childcare (all UK)
- 15 hours free childcare (England)
- 30 hours free childcare (England)
- 1140 hours’ free childcare (Scotland)
- 10 or 30 hours free childcare for three and four-year-olds (Wales)
- Flying Start scheme (12.5 hours a week for two-year-olds) (Wales)
How much does a nanny cost?
Average cost for full-time nanny (50 hours a week): £400 – £650 per week plus National Insurance
Average cost for part-time nanny (25 hours a week): £250 – £400 per week, plus National Insurance
A full-time nanny can be live-in or live-out. You can find a more accurate estimate of how much you’ll pay for a nanny using Nannytax’s online calculator.
Benefits of nannies
- Greater flexibility with hours.
- Care and education can be tailored to your specifications.
What funding for childcare could I be eligible for?
You may be able to use the following funding support if your nanny is registered with Ofsted, the Care Inspectorate or Care Inspectorate Wales.
- Tax-free childcare (all UK)
- 15 hours free childcare (England)
- 30 hours free childcare (England)
- 10 or 30 hours free childcare for three and four-year-olds (Wales)
How much does an au pair cost?
Average cost for full-time au pair: £90 per week ‘pocket money’, plus any expenses.
Benefits of au pairs
- Au pairs are often from abroad and can provide your child with the opportunity to learn a second language at a young age. Your child can also learn about their culture.
- Au pairs can offer some help around the home as well as childcare, but this is not strictly their role and they should not be expected to offer domestic help.
What funding for childcare could I be eligible for?
You aren’t usually eligible for any financial support with an au pair, unless they are registered with Ofsted, the Care Inspectorate or Care Inspectorate Wales.
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