We know childcare can be expensive, but just how expensive? We’ve got details of average costs of nannies, childminders, nursery places and babysitters, so that you can calculate how much childcare might cost you.

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Of course, these are just averages and the only way to be sure is to check with your local childcarers. Indeed, even the average costs vary according to which survey you look at. But it does give you a feel for the ranges.

We’ve looked at two sets of official figures – the 2018 Childcare report from the Family and Childcare Trust and the 2018 report from Childcare.co.uk website (which shows more expensive figures). Where there are two different numbers, we’ve listed both. We’ve also included Gov.UK estimates for costs for a live-in au pair.

Average hourly costs of different childcare in 2018 across the UK for a child under 2

  • Nursery £4.65 (Family & Childcare Trust) / £4.95 (Childcare.co.uk) per hour
  • Childminder £4.34 (Family & Childcare Trust) / £5.42 (Childcare.co.uk) per hour
  • Live out nanny £10.43 per hour – plus you’ll need to pay your nanny’s tax, NI and your own employer’s NI on top (which can add another 30-40%)
  • Babysitter £9.08 per hour
  • Au pair £70-85 per week - plus accommodation and food

Did you know: When your child is 3, you may be able to claim up to 30 hours free childcare?

Childcare costs for nurseries, nannies, babysitters and childminders - by UK region

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NURSERY COSTS - by region

  • London - £6.47
  • Scotland - £5.15
  • North East - £5.15
  • South East - £5.03
  • Yorkshire - £4.88
  • North West - £4.87
  • Wales - £4.85
  • West Midlands - £4.74
  • South West - £4.58
  • East Midlands - £4.46

CHILDMINDER COSTS - by region

  • London - £6.82
  • South East - £6.50
  • North West - £4.84
  • Wales - £4.55
  • South West - £4.51
  • Scotland - £4.45
  • West Midlands - £4.31
  • North East - £4.15
  • East Midlands - £4.13
  • Yorkshire and The Humber - £4.12

NANNY COSTS - by region

  • London - £11.11
  • South East - £10.46
  • North West - £9.68
  • Scotland - £9.56
  • South West - £9.55
  • West Midlands - £9.48
  • Yorkshire and The Humber - £9.26
  • East Midlands - £9.19
  • Wales - £8.91
  • North East - £8.85

BABYSITTER COSTS - by region

  • London - £10.33
  • South East - £8.99
  • Scotland - £8.35
  • South West - £8.21
  • North West - £7.98
  • Yorkshire and The Humber - £7.89
  • West Midlands - £7.85
  • Wales - £7.79
  • East Midlands - £7.55
  • North East - £7.37

Read more...

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Authors

Tara BreathnachContent Editor and Social Media Producer

Tara is mum to 1 daughter, Bodhi Rae, and has worked as Content Editor and Social Media Producer at MadeForMums since 2015

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