A single day of childcare can cost more than a day’s wages — especially for low-income families. With average nursery fees in the UK hovering around £50 to £60 a day, many parents feel trapped. Trapped between working to stay afloat and paying someone else to watch their child while they do it. It’s not just a financial issue. It’s a quality of life issue, a workforce issue, and a deep emotional struggle for countless families. When the cost of care outweighs the benefit of work, we have to ask: is this system working for anyone?
This blog breaks it down. We look at how much childcare really costs per day in the UK, how to become a childcare worker, what that job pays, and why the numbers still don’t add up — for parents or providers.
How Much Does Childcare Cost Per Day UK?
Let’s get straight to it. In 2025, full-day childcare in the UK costs on average:
- £48 to £60 per day for a nursery place (depending on the area)
- £5 to £7 per hour for a childminder, which adds up to about £50 a day
That’s for one child. Two children? Double it. Three? Well, you get the picture.
In some London nurseries, fees can rise to £80 or more per day. And while government funding has improved things — with 15 to 30 hours free for eligible parents — it doesn’t cover everything. Not meals or nappies. Not the full working day. And not for everyone.
Some parents say it’s cheaper to stay home than to work. Others cut their hours or delay careers because they can’t afford full-time care. Even with help, many families still spend hundreds a month, just to keep going.
The Real Cost: What Parents Sacrifice to Pay for Childcare
Childcare isn’t just a line in the monthly budget. It’s a trade-off. A choice between work, security, and time with your children.
Parents make tough calls. Work longer hours to cover rising fees. Skip holidays. Delay buying a house. Some go part-time or leave work entirely. For single parents, there may not be a choice at all.
If a parent makes £70 a day after tax, and childcare costs £60 — what’s left? How is that sustainable?
We don’t talk enough about the emotional cost, either. The guilt of leaving kids. The worry about who’s watching them. The strain it puts on relationships. Childcare is essential — not optional — but families often carry that burden alone.
Who Provides Childcare — and How Much Do They Make?
Childcare workers keep this system running. They’re the nursery staff, the nannies, the childminders opening their homes each morning before sunrise. So how much do they earn?
- Entry-level childcare workers earn around £16,000 to £18,000 a year
- With experience and Level 3 qualifications, that can rise to £20,000 to £24,000
- The average salary across the UK? Around £27,000, but many earn less
Hourly pay for nursery workers ranges from £9 to £12, depending on location. In London, you might earn a little more. But not much. Many don’t make a living wage. Most don’t earn enough to afford the very childcare they provide.
Let’s not forget childminders — self-employed carers who run mini nurseries at home. They often earn more per child, but carry more costs. Insurance, Ofsted fees, safety equipment, training, and supplies come out of their pocket. On paper, they may charge £5 or £6 an hour, but after expenses, it’s not much more than minimum wage.
How Do You Become a Childcare Worker in the UK?
Many people ask if it’s hard to get into childcare. It’s not. But it does take time, patience, and training. Here’s what’s involved:
- You don’t need a degree, but you do need a childcare qualification — usually a Level 2 or 3 diploma
- You’ll need a DBS background check (about £48)
- Paediatric first aid is essential (costs about £50–£100)
- Some people study full-time at college
- Others do apprenticeships, working while they learn
- Most routes take 1 to 2 years to fully qualify
It can cost £500–£1,000 if you pay for everything yourself. But many courses are free for young people or those on apprenticeships. Once trained, you can work in nurseries, preschools, or as a nanny.
Want to be a childminder? That’s more complex. You’ll need:
- Childminder training (about £200)
- A full health check
- Public liability insurance
- Registration with Ofsted
- Safety equipment for your home
Startup costs can hit £600–£700 or more. And the process takes several months. But once set up, you run your own small business. That comes with freedom — and pressure.
What Do Childcare Workers Say About the Job?
Most childcare workers love working with kids. That’s the common thread. They stay for the joy, not the pay. But many feel burnt out. Underpaid. Undervalued.
They care for babies, toddlers, and children with complex needs. They plan lessons, change nappies, manage emergencies, and comfort upset children — often all in the same hour.
And yet, some earn less than a supermarket assistant. That’s not to say other jobs aren’t valuable. But if we can pay more for someone stacking shelves than someone keeping a child safe and happy — what does that say about our priorities?
Why Does Childcare Cost So Much If Wages Are So Low?
Here’s the frustrating truth: childcare is expensive to run, but not profitable for workers.
Nurseries need a high staff-to-child ratio — for safety, and by law. That means more wages to pay, even if profit is thin. Rent, insurance, equipment, meals — it all adds up.
Childminders have the same issue. They might charge £5 per hour, but if they can only take three children, that’s just £15 an hour before expenses.
Government funding helps, but doesn’t cover everything. The “free” hours given to parents aren’t fully reimbursed to providers. That leaves nurseries struggling to stay afloat. Some raise private fees to cover the gap. Others close down.
So parents pay more. Workers earn less. Providers can’t grow. It’s a cycle — and it’s breaking the system.
Why This Matters for Everyone — Not Just Parents
Even if you don’t have kids, this crisis affects you. Here’s how:
- Workforce Impact: Parents — mostly mothers — leave jobs or cut hours because of childcare. That’s lost talent, lost income tax, lost productivity.
- Economic Strain: When childcare costs more than rent or food, families cut spending elsewhere. That affects the wider economy.
- Inequality: Low-income families feel the pinch most. Their children miss out on early education, widening the gap before school even starts.
- Well-being: Stress around childcare costs harms mental health, family relationships, and child development.
Investing in childcare is not a handout. It’s infrastructure. Just like roads, schools, or hospitals. It helps everyone. And when we underfund it, we all pay the price — one way or another.
So, What Can Be Done?
The good news? Some change is happening. In 2024 and 2025, the UK government expanded free childcare to include children from 9 months old for working families. That’s big. It means many parents now get 15 hours per week of free care, expanding to 30 hours by late 2025.
But it’s not perfect. Many nurseries say the funding isn’t enough. Some parents still don’t qualify. And 15 hours a week doesn’t cover a full working day — especially not full-time jobs.
We need:
- Better funding for providers
- Fair pay for childcare workers
- Realistic support for working parents
- More places — especially in rural or underserved areas
None of this is simple. But the cost of doing nothing is worse.
Final Thoughts: What Are We Really Paying For?
When we ask how much does childcare cost per day UK, we’re not just asking about money. We’re asking about what we value.
Are we okay with a system where parents can’t afford to work? Where talented childcare workers live on the edge? Where early education is out of reach for many children?
Childcare isn’t a luxury. It’s a building block of a fair society. Of a strong economy. Of healthy families.
We have to do better. Not just for today’s parents, but for tomorrow’s kids.
Childcare shouldn’t break the bank—or break you. Learn how to be part of the change. Enrol in our Child Care courses at Unified Course.
