Childcare workers rarely do it for the money — but that doesn’t mean the money doesn’t matter. How much do you get paid as a childcare worker? Salaries often start at around £20,000 a year, sometimes less. And for the amount of skill, responsibility, and emotional labour? That’s not enough.
Still, if you love children, care deeply about early learning, and want a job that makes a real difference, childcare might be the right path. In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know: how to become a childcare worker, how long it takes, what it costs, and how much you can earn.
What Does a Childcare Worker Actually Do?
This job isn’t “babysitting.” It’s safeguarding, teaching, feeding, calming, managing — often all at once.
Childcare workers help babies and children learn, play, eat, sleep, and stay safe. They work in nurseries, preschools, families’ homes, or as childminders in their own homes. The work includes nappies, story time, first aid, accident forms, circle time, and sometimes singing the same song five times before 10am.
It takes real skill. It takes patience. And it takes a strong heart.
How to Become a Childcare Worker in the UK
You don’t need a degree to become a childcare worker. But you do need training. And a clear DBS check. Here are the most common ways people start:
1. Take a College Course
Many start with a Level 2 or Level 3 childcare course. Some take a T-Level in Education and Childcare. These courses teach the basics of child development, safety, play, and learning.
2. Do an Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships let you learn on the job while getting paid. Most last 12 to 24 months. You’ll earn a qualification and get experience at the same time.
3. Start as a Nursery Assistant
You can apply to some entry-level jobs with only GCSEs. Many nurseries train you while you work. Volunteering first helps.
4. Become a Registered Childminder
You can also run your own childcare business at home. That means registering with Ofsted, doing safety checks, and getting training. It costs more upfront (more on that below), but gives more control.
How Long Does It Take to Get Qualified?
It depends on the route.
- A Level 2 course takes about 1 year.
- A Level 3 course takes 1 to 2 years.
- An apprenticeship takes 1 to 2 years.
- Volunteering to gain experience can start right away.
Some people start working as they study. You don’t always have to wait to get into the job.
What Does It Cost to Become a Childcare Worker?
Here are the typical costs:
- DBS check: ~£48
- First aid course: £50–£100
- Childcare course (self-funded): £50–£1,000
Most under-19s get college courses for free. Apprenticeships are paid. Some local councils also offer help with training costs. If you’re working for a nursery, they often pay for your DBS and training. That means you could get started without paying much yourself.
What About Becoming a Childminder?
To work as a childminder, you register with Ofsted. You work from home and set your own hours. But it takes more setup.
Upfront costs to become a childminder:
- Ofsted registration: £35 per year
- DBS checks for every adult in your home: £48 each
- Health declaration: ~£90 from your GP
- Childminder training: £50–£200
- First aid training: £50–£100
- Insurance and safety kit: ~£200 total
So the total to get started as a childminder is around £600–£700. Once you’re set up, you charge per hour per child. More on those rates below.
How Much Do You Get Paid as a Childcare Worker?
Here’s the heart of it.
The average childcare worker in the UK earns around £20,000 to £24,000 per year. Entry-level jobs start lower — sometimes close to minimum wage. That means £16,000 to £18,000 per year for full-time. More experienced staff (with a Level 3 qualification) might earn £22,000 to £26,000 per year. Room leaders and deputy managers can earn more.
If you work in London or the South East, you might earn a little more due to the higher cost of living. In London, the average salary is closer to £30,000. Private nannies and childminders can earn more, especially if they care for more than one child. Some charge £5 to £7 per hour, per child.
So: how much is the salary of a childcare worker? It ranges. But most fall between £18,000 and £26,000 a year.
Why Childcare Work Deserves Better Pay
Let’s be honest: that’s not a lot. Not for the work being done.
Childcare workers are part educator, part carer, part crisis manager. They shape brains, calm storms, and build futures. They’re on their feet for hours. They carry babies, wipe tears, fill out forms, answer parents’ questions, and sometimes skip lunch.
And yet, many earn less than delivery drivers.
There’s movement to change that. Campaigns across the UK are calling for higher wages in early years. Some local councils are offering bonuses. The government is adding funding for the early years. But real change is slow.
Until then, many workers stay in the job because they care. They stay because the children matter.
Childminders: How Much Can You Make?
Self-employed childminders set their own rates. Most charge £4 to £6 per hour, per child. If you care for three children at once for 40 hours a week, that adds up:
- £5/hour x 3 children x 40 hours = £600/week
- That’s about £30,000/year (before expenses)
But remember: you cover food, supplies, and tax. Still, it’s possible to earn more than nursery staff. Childminding gives you flexibility and control. You work from home. You pick your hours. But you also run a business, and that brings pressure.
What About Hourly and Weekly Pay?
If you work by the hour, most childcare jobs pay £9 to £11 per hour. Apprentices start lower. A 40-hour week at £9/hour is £360/week. Over a year, that’s just under £19,000. Nannies, private carers, and experienced nursery staff can earn closer to £12/hour, or £24,000 to £26,000 a year.
Childminders who care for multiple children can do better, but that means more responsibility.
How Much Does Childcare Cost Parents in 2025?
Knowing this helps explain the tension: childcare is expensive for families, but still underpaid for workers. Here are the numbers for 2025:
- Full-time nursery place (50 hours): ~£239/week
- Part-time (25 hours): ~£70/week (with free hours)
- Daily rate: Around £50/day
Parents in England now get 15 hours a week free if they work. This will rise to 30 hours by the end of 2025. That helps, but costs are still high. In London, prices are higher. In Scotland and Wales, the free hours differ. Childminders usually charge by the hour. Most ask £5 to £7/hour.
Final Thoughts
Childcare workers keep the country running. Without them, parents can’t work. Children don’t learn. Futures don’t grow. But the pay doesn’t reflect the value. Not yet. If you’re asking how much do you get paid as a childcare worker, the answer is: not enough — for now. But there is change. There is movement. And there is deep, quiet pride in the work.
This job may not bring riches. But it brings meaning. And for those who stay, that’s sometimes the most important thing of all.
Respect to every childcare worker. The work you do matters. And you deserve to be seen.
Want to make a real difference in children’s lives? Start with the right training. Join our Childcare courses now at Unified Course.