We built this tool because we've been there. That moment when you start researching childcare options and the costs hit you like a freight train. Full-time nursery in many parts of the UK can easily cost over £1,000 per month. In London and the South East, you might be looking at £1,500 or more. For many families, childcare becomes one of the single biggest household expenses, sometimes rivalling the mortgage.
Childcare Calculator was created by parents who wanted a simple, clear way to see the numbers before making decisions. How much will nursery actually cost per week? What about a childminder instead? And crucially, how much could you save through government schemes?
The UK government offers several schemes to help with childcare costs, but navigating them can be confusing. Here's what's available:
For every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government adds £2. That's up to £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 for disabled children). Both parents need to be working and earning at least the National Minimum Wage for 16 hours a week, and neither can earn over £100,000 a year.
These hours are term-time only (38 weeks), but some providers let you spread them across the full year.
If you're on Universal Credit, you can claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs, up to £951 per month for one child or £1,630 for two or more children. You do need to pay upfront and claim back, which can be a challenge, but it's a significant amount of support.
The cost of childcare shouldn't be a surprise. Whether you're expecting your first child and trying to plan ahead, or you're looking at options for your second and wondering how the maths works, this calculator helps you see the full picture. Enter your hours, your provider's rates, and your eligibility for government help, and get a clear breakdown of what you'll actually pay.
Everything runs in your browser. We don't store your data, we don't need an account, and it's completely free. Because working out whether you can afford childcare shouldn't itself cost anything.
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