All Calculators
Childcare Cost Calculator
Work out the real cost of childcare after government help — and whether going back to work actually pays.
Enter 0 for under 1, or 0.75 for 9 months
10 hrs50 hrs
£
Gross childcare cost
Hourly rate (Nursery, Rest of UK)£6.50/hr
Weekly cost (40 hrs)£260
Monthly cost£1,127
Annual cost£13,520
Government help you can get
15 free hours (9 months+, from Sept 2024)-£3,705/yr
Tax-Free Childcare (govt adds 20%)-£1,963/yr
Your actual cost£7,852/yr
That's £654/month
Your savings from each scheme
Free hours saving£3,705/yr
Tax-Free Childcare saving£1,963/yr
Total saved£5,668/yr
Is it worth going back to work?
Your take-home pay£25,120/yr
Childcare cost (after help)-£7,852/yr
Net financial gain from working+£17,268/yr
That's +£1,439/month
Financially it makes sense to work, plus you keep career progression, pension contributions, and future earning power.