How much does childcare cost in the UK?

Childcare in the UK can be very expensive, and the cost varies a lot by the child’s age, where you live, and whether you use a nursery or childminder. Recent Coram Family and Childcare figures, reported by Which?, show that for a child under two in England, a full-time nursery place averages about £238.95 a week, while a part-time nursery place averages about £70.51 a week after the funded-hours expansion. Which? also reports that in Great Britain, a full-time nursery place for a child under two averages around £239 to £290 a week depending on nation.

For many families, a useful planning figure is around £200 to £300 a week for full-time childcare, but the real cost depends on age, hours, provider type, and whether you qualify for funded childcare support. Coram notes that families who are not eligible for working-family entitlements can still face costs of around £205 a week for a child under two just to access the same amount of early education in a nursery.

Typical childcare cost in the UK

England, under two, part-time nursery: about £70.51 a week
England, under two, full-time nursery: about £238.95 a week
Scotland, under two, full-time nursery: about £239.78 a week
Wales, under two, full-time nursery: about £290.06 a week
England, under two, full-time childminder: about £202.09 a week

Cost breakdown

A childcare bill may include some or all of the following:

nursery or childminder hourly/weekly fees
meals and snacks
nappies or consumables in some settings
late collection charges
registration or deposit fees
extra hours outside funded entitlement periods

Recent cost snapshots reported by Which? show:

England nursery, 25 hours: £70.51 a week
England nursery, 50 hours: £238.95 a week
England childminder, 25 hours: £59.76 a week
England childminder, 50 hours: £202.09 a week

What affects the price?

Several things can push the cost up or down:

Age of the child — under-twos are usually the most expensive because staffing ratios are tighter.
Hours needed — full-time childcare costs much more than part-time care.
Where you live — some areas, especially inner London, are much more expensive. Coram noted examples of £274 a week in inner London for some under-twos.
Provider type — childminders and nurseries can price differently.
Eligibility for funded childcare — funded hours can reduce what working families pay, but not everyone qualifies.

What’s usually included?

A childcare price usually covers:

the booked childcare hours
staff supervision and care
basic early years provision
routine day-to-day nursery or childminder support

It does not always include:

meals
nappies
trips
late collection
extra ad-hoc hours
optional extras charged separately by the setting

That final point is an inference from how childcare providers commonly separate base fees from extras, and from the way funded-hour discussions distinguish core provision from additional paid costs.

Why is childcare so expensive?

Childcare is labour-intensive, especially for younger children, and staffing requirements are stricter for babies and toddlers. Coram’s long-running surveys also show that costs have stayed high while place availability has been under pressure in many areas.

Do funded childcare hours make a big difference?

Yes, they can. Which? reported that the expansion of funded childcare support in England sharply reduced the average part-time and full-time nursery costs for some eligible working families with children under two. But eligibility matters, and families who do not qualify can still face high weekly bills.

Is childcare more expensive in some parts of the UK?

Yes. Costs vary across England, Scotland and Wales, and also within regions. Which?’s comparison shows clear national differences, and Coram has highlighted especially high costs in inner London.

Frequently asked questions

How much is full-time childcare in England?

For a child under two, recent figures put a full-time nursery place in England at about £238.95 a week.

Is a childminder cheaper than a nursery?

Sometimes, yes. In England, Which? reported that a full-time childminder place for an under-two averaged £202.09 a week, compared with £238.95 for a full-time nursery place.

Why are under-twos more expensive?

Because younger children usually require more staff time and tighter staffing ratios.

Can childcare still cost more than £200 a week even with support?

Yes. Coram notes average costs of around £205 a week for some under-twos in nursery settings where families are not eligible for the same funded support as working families.

Related guides

Final note

For a useful rule of thumb, £200 to £300 a week is a sensible modern planning range for full-time childcare for a younger child in the UK, but your actual cost will depend heavily on age, location, provider type, and whether you qualify for funded childcare help.