If you’re wondering how much do childcare workers get paid UK, here’s your straight answer: most start around £10.50 an hour, but with the right training and a bit of ambition, you could be making £28,000+ a year.
Childcare isn’t just a stopgap or a backup plan. It can grow into a rewarding, skilled career. You can start as an assistant and rise through the ranks. You could even run your own business. This blog shows how to get started, what to expect, and how far you can take it.
What Does a Childcare Worker Actually Do?
Let’s start with the basics. A childcare worker helps children learn, play, and feel safe while their parents work. You’re not “just” looking after kids — you’re shaping how they grow.
On a typical day, you might feed a baby, lead a messy art session, clean up spills, and teach a toddler to share. You’ll help them speak their first words, count blocks, and explore the world one question at a time.
This isn’t a job for someone who wants to coast. You’ll need patience, energy, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. But the reward is seeing a child thrive — and knowing you helped them get there.
How Do You Get Started in Childcare?
The good news? You don’t need a degree to begin. Many people start with a short course or an apprenticeship. Others begin as nursery assistants, learning on the job while studying part-time.
To work with children, you’ll need an enhanced DBS check. This shows you have no criminal history that would prevent you from working with kids. You’ll also need basic first aid training, and, for most roles, a childcare qualification.
- Level 2 is the starting point — that’s where you learn how to care for children under supervision.
- Level 3 qualifies you to lead a group, plan learning activities, and take on more responsibility.
Some start as volunteers and work their way in. Others come through college or switch from other industries. There’s no one path — but you need to show up, get trained, and prove you’re reliable.
How Long Does It Take to Become Qualified?
You can start working in childcare fast — sometimes within weeks. A nursery assistant role might only need a DBS check and basic safety training.
If you want to qualify while working, a Level 2 apprenticeship takes about a year. A Level 3 diploma usually takes up to 24 months, but some finish sooner. The time depends on how much you study and whether you’re working full-time. But here’s the best part — most training is paid or free. If you’re under 19 or doing an apprenticeship, you probably won’t pay a thing.
Many people earn while they learn. You don’t have to go into debt to build a career in childcare.
What Roles Can You Train For?
You might start at the bottom, but there are plenty of places to go from there.
Begin as a nursery assistant. Support the qualified staff, help with snack time, tidy up, and join in play. You learn as you go. Move up to nursery practitioner once you have a Level 2 or 3 qualification. You’ll help plan activities, track development, and lead your own group of children.
With experience, you can become a room leader or deputy manager. You’ll manage a team, handle parent meetings, and keep everything running smoothly. Some move on to become nursery managers, running the full setting — staff, budgets, safety checks and all.
Or you might want to work from home. Childminders run their own business, caring for children in their own home. You set your hours, rates, and client list. If private care appeals to you, nannying can be a great choice. Many families pay well, especially for live-in or highly experienced nannies.
How Much Is the Salary of a Childcare Worker?
Let’s get into the real question: how much is the salary of a childcare worker?
If you’re just starting out as a nursery assistant, expect to earn around £10.50–£11.44 an hour. That adds up to £18,000–£20,000 a year if you’re full-time. Once you’re qualified with a Level 3 diploma, your pay usually jumps. Nursery practitioners can earn £22,000–£26,000 a year, especially in busy or high-cost areas.
Move into management, and you’ll see bigger numbers. Room leaders and deputy managers can take home £26,000–£30,000 a year. Nursery managers often earn £32,000+, especially in London. And don’t forget childminders. Some clear £30,000 or more a year by running care from home. It depends on how many children you take, your rates, and your local demand.
So when people ask, how much does a childcare worker earn UK? — the answer is: it varies. But the potential is there. What you earn grows with what you learn.
How Much Do Childcare Workers Get Paid UK: The Big Picture
This is the big keyword question — how much do childcare workers get paid UK? Let’s break it down.
You start on hourly pay. Many childcare jobs are paid hourly, especially in the early years. As of 2025, the average is around £10.50 to £12 per hour for junior roles. Once you’re qualified and experienced, expect £13–£16 per hour. In London or for senior roles, it can be more.
If you move into private care — like nannying — or self-employed work like childminding, you set your own rates. Many childminders charge £5–£8 per hour per child. Look after three kids full-time? That’s £30+ per hour.
Some childcare workers earn £15–£20 per hour, especially in leadership, SEN support, or private home settings. But even if you stay in a nursery, steady raises and promotions can push your salary into the £25K–£30K range within a few years.
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Childcare Worker?
This career doesn’t need thousands in student loans. You can train affordably or even for free. Here’s what you might pay if you’re funding things yourself:
- DBS check: around £48
- First Aid course: £50–£100
- Online training or short courses: £200–£1,000
- Level 3 diploma (full price): up to £1,500
- Childminder startup costs: around £600–£1,000
But don’t let these numbers scare you. Most people qualify through apprenticeships or college funding, meaning little or no cost. And if you become a childminder, you’re investing in your own business — you’ll earn it back.
From Assistant to Manager: How to Move Up
Here’s where it gets exciting. Childcare offers a clear path. You’re not stuck in one role. You might start stacking cups and wiping noses. But with time, you’ll manage people, design learning plans, and run the room. You could manage a whole nursery or own a childminding business.
Want to boost your pay? Learn about SEN (Special Educational Needs). Get your Level 3. Take a leadership course. Join a professional body. Every new skill adds value. Childcare rewards commitment. Stay in, keep learning, and you’ll get noticed.
What About Childcare Costs for Parents?
Here’s the other side of the coin: what are parents paying?
In 2025, the average full-time nursery place costs around £240 per week. That’s based on 50 hours of care. A part-time place is around £70 a week, if families get government support. Thanks to new schemes, many parents get 15–30 free hours of childcare. That’s pushed down the average cost.
But not everyone qualifies. If parents don’t meet the working hours or income rules, they’ll pay more — sometimes £50–£60 per full day. For childminders, rates vary. Most charge £5–£8 per hour. Many parents choose them because they’re often more flexible than nurseries.
Here’s why this matters: as childcare becomes more affordable, more parents use it. That means more jobs for people like you.
Why Choose Childcare as a Career?
Let’s be real. Some days will test your patience. You’ll get paint on your clothes and glitter in your hair. But you’ll also watch shy kids start talking, watch friendships grow, and see children bloom under your care.
Childcare work is more than nappy changes and snack breaks. It’s a real career with a real future. It gives you purpose, progress, and flexibility. You can move up, move on, or move into business for yourself. And unlike some jobs, your work matters — not just to your employer, but to families, communities, and children.
Final Thoughts: You Can Start Now — and Grow Fast
A perfect CV? Not needed. A degree? Also optional. What really matters is that you care, commit, and keep learning. Let’s recap:
- How much do childcare workers get paid UK? Entry-level: £10.50/hr. Skilled workers: £28K+/yr.
- How much is the salary of a childcare worker? Around £27,500 on average in 2025.
- How much does a childcare worker earn UK? Depends on role, location, and ambition — but the ceiling keeps rising.
- How long does it take to qualify? Most get trained in under two years.
- How much does it cost to get started? Often under £500 — or even free.
If you’re thinking about childcare as “just a job,” think again. It’s a career. It grows with you. And it needs people who care.
So why not you?
Want to go from nappies to nursery manager? Enrol in our online Childcare courses at Unified Course and level up your future.
