For many working families, childcare is the second biggest monthly cost — just behind housing. Weekly costs can range from £200 to £300 per child, depending on where you live, how many hours you need, and the type of care you choose. If you’re wondering how much does childcare cost per week UK, or what a childcare worker earns, this blog lays it all out with real numbers and no fluff.
We’ll cover:
- The average weekly and daily costs of childcare in the UK
- What affects those prices
- How much is the salary of a childcare worker
- What it actually costs to become one
- And what support’s out there for families
Let’s dive into what families (and carers) need to know in 2025.
What Parents Pay: How Much Does Childcare Cost Per Week UK?
Childcare in the UK isn’t cheap. And while some help is available, most families still pay a lot out of pocket.
In 2025, a full-time nursery place (50 hours per week) for a child under two in England costs about £239 per week. That’s nearly £50 per day. Some families in London report paying £300 or more per week. If you only need part-time care (say 25 hours), the average cost drops to about £176 per week — unless you qualify for government help.
So yes — childcare often costs more than your rent or mortgage.
Why does it cost so much?
You’re not just paying for supervision. You’re paying for qualified staff, food, activities, rent on the premises, insurance, cleaning, heating, admin, and more. Nurseries also have strict rules on how many carers must be present per child. That means hiring more people — which drives up costs.
What if you get free hours?
In England, working parents now get 15 hours a week free for kids aged 9 months to 4 years, depending on their age. From September 2025, that expands to 30 hours per week for many families. Sounds good — but the free hours don’t always cover full days or meals. You still pay the difference.
Daily Costs Add Up: How Much Does Childcare Cost Per Day UK?
If you break it down, many nurseries charge between £45 and £70 per full day. That usually includes snacks, nappies, and basic activities, but not always meals or extended hours.
In smaller towns or rural areas, some settings might charge closer to £40 per day. In London or parts of the South East, it can hit £80 or more, especially for under-twos. Babies are more expensive to care for because they need more staff per child. That’s a legal requirement, not a nursery choice.
So yes, it adds up fast. Ten days of full-time care in a month could easily cost £500 to £700, depending on your location. That’s why families plan their working hours, leave days, and even careers around childcare needs.
And for parents who don’t qualify for the full 30 free hours — or need care outside of the funded sessions — every extra hour means extra money out of pocket.
So, How Much Is the Salary of a Childcare Worker?
This is the part no one talks about enough: childcare workers don’t earn much.
The average salary for a full-time childcare worker in the UK in 2025 is around £20,000 to £24,000 per year. That’s roughly £9 to £11 per hour for many. In some regions, pay is even lower — close to minimum wage.
That’s despite being on their feet all day, changing nappies, leading play, managing meals, dealing with tantrums, and keeping every child safe.
In London, some experienced workers or nursery room leaders earn around £27,000 to £30,000, but they’re the exception. Entry-level jobs — like a nursery assistant with no qualifications — often start around £17,000 a year.
For comparison, the average UK full-time salary across all industries is about £33,000 in 2025. So childcare workers earn well below the national average, despite the essential role they play.
What Makes Childcare So Expensive in the UK?
There’s a reason why costs are high, and it’s not just profit. In fact, most nurseries run on very tight margins, especially smaller or independent ones.
Here’s what you’re really paying for:
- Staff wages, which are often the biggest cost
- Strict adult-to-child ratios, which are required by law
- Rent and bills, especially in urban areas
- Training, insurance, admin, and all the paperwork
- Resources and toys to support learning
It’s not as simple as paying someone to watch your child. Good childcare involves early education, emotional care, safety, and structure. That takes skilled people — and skilled people need to be paid.
Why Aren’t Childcare Workers Paid More?
It comes down to business pressure. Most childcare settings can’t raise fees much without losing parents. But they can’t cut staff or space without breaking the law. That leaves wages stuck.
The reality? Many childcare staff leave the industry within two or three years. Burnout is high. Pay is low. Respect is often missing. It’s a crisis that hurts both workers and families.
If you’re wondering why there aren’t more nurseries in your area, or why some have closed, this is probably why.
What Does It Cost to Become a Childcare Worker?
The good news? It’s not expensive — at least, not compared to many other careers.
If you’re under 19, many courses are free. And if you do an apprenticeship, your employer and the government usually cover the costs.
If you do pay out of pocket, a full online course might cost between £200 and £1,000, depending on the provider. You’ll also need a DBS check, which costs about £48, plus paediatric first aid training, which is usually around £50 to £100.
So in total, someone starting from scratch might pay under £300, and often nothing at all, if they get on the right funded route.
There’s also no fancy gear or uniforms. You’ll just need comfortable, child-safe clothes and a big dose of energy. To know more about this topic, check out our article on The Costs of Becoming A Childcare Worker.
Childcare Costs vs. Salaries: The Gap That Hurts Everyone
This is the truth: what parents pay doesn’t go into workers’ pockets.
Most families spend between £200 and £300 per week per child. Yet many childcare staff take home less than £1,400 a month before tax. The system relies on underpaid carers and overstretched parents.
That gap is driving people out of the sector. Fewer nurseries. Fewer places. Longer waiting lists. And parents with fewer options.
It’s a broken loop—and one that won’t fix itself without serious investment and reform.
How Can You Get Help With Childcare Costs?
If you’re a working parent in the UK, check what support you can get. In 2025, there’s more help than ever before — but only if you meet the rules.
Here’s what’s available:
- 15 to 30 hours free for children aged 9 months to 4 years (if you work enough hours)
- Tax-Free Childcare, which gives you up to £2,000 per year per child back
- Universal Credit childcare, for low-income families (covers up to 85% of costs)
- Student childcare grants, if you’re studying
Each scheme has rules. The hours you work, your income, and your child’s age all matter. Use the gov.uk childcare calculator to check what you’re entitled to. Don’t assume — lots of families miss out because they think they won’t qualify.
What Can You Do Next?
If you’re a parent, here are three things to help manage childcare costs:
- Look into free hours — and make sure your provider offers them. Some do, some don’t.
- Ask about flexible hours — even reducing care by one day a week can save over £200 a month.
- Use Tax-Free Childcare — it’s real cash back, and it’s easy to set up online.
If you’re thinking of a career in childcare, know this:
It’s one of the most meaningful jobs out there. You shape kids’ futures, support working families, and make a real impact. But be honest with yourself about the pay and the hours. It’s rewarding, but it’s hard work.
Final Word
Childcare isn’t babysitting. It’s the backbone of working life. It’s how we raise healthy, happy, secure kids. And it’s how parents keep jobs, build careers, and support their families.
But in 2025, too many workers still earn too little. Too many parents still pay too much. And too few people know what either side is really going through.
So when you ask, “how much does childcare cost per week UK?” — the real answer is this:
It costs a lot. But what we get from it is worth even more.
Let’s push for a system that supports both families and the people who care for their children every day.
Want to work in childcare or start your own setup? Enrol in our hands-on, real-world Child Care courses at Unified Course—start building your future today.
