Childcare costs for working parents and carers

Childcare is one of the biggest costs families with young children face. You might be wondering if you can afford to go to work and pay for childcare, whether to work full time or part time and what extra help is available.

Looking at the different options and planning ahead can help you find a balance that’s right for you and your family.

It’s up to you when you go back to work after having a baby or adopting. You can take up to 52 weeks leave and get statutory pay for up to 39 weeks. If you share parental responsibility with a partner, you should be eligible to share parental leave and pay between you.

Statutory pay will be less than your normal salary, unless your employer offers an enhanced parental leave package.

When you return to work, you can request a change to your working pattern, such as part time or flexible working. Your employer doesn’t have to accept your request, but they must consider it. Citizen’s Advice has information about applying for flexible working.

If your employer has given you enhanced pay while you have been on leave, you are usually expected to return to work for an agreed time. If you decide not to go back to work, you might have to repay all or some of the money. Working Families has more information about enhanced pay.

There’s no ‘right way’ to do it when it comes to work and childcare. When choosing what is right for you and your family, you’ll need to look at all your options and work out what is affordable and feels right for you.

You might consider:

• how much you’d ideally like to work
• how much you will get paid each month if you work full time or part time
• whether both parents could work part time or one work full time and one work part time
• if family or friends can help with some of the childcare
• if some home working would mean you need to pay for less childcare
• what is included in the costs of different types of childcare
• what extra help you can get with paying for childcare costs
• If you’re entitled to any benefits

It might help to use a:

• salary calculator
• budgeting tool

You can apply for different free childcare schemes depending on:

• where in the UK you live
• the age of the child
• whether you get certain benefits
• if you are working
• how much you earn

The UK Government’s Childcare Choices tells you what free childcare you can apply for.

Most 3 and 4 year olds can get 15 hours a week free childcare. Some children from 9 months old can get up to 30 hours a week free childcare.

The 15 or 30 hours free childcare is for 38 weeks of the year (during term-time). A lot of childcare providers will let you spread this out across the year. The funding only covers your child’s education and care, so the childcare provider can ask you to pay for meals and activities. You will also need to pay full fees for any extra hours on top of your 15 or 30 hours allowance.

The childcare setting has to be an approved childcare provider.

You can also save money on childcare fees using tax free childcare.

Worries about work and childcare costs can be overwhelming. You can read our advice on:

• Coping with money worries
• Talking to your partner or ex-partner about money
• Money and mental health as a parent or carer

You can also get money advice from other organisations.

Citizens Advice

Advice about budgeting, debt solutions, and accessing local support.

Phone:

0800 144 8848 in England

0800 702 2020 in Wales

0800 028 1456 in Scotland

Support is usually available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Find your local Citizens Advice (England and Wales)

Citizens Advice Scotland website

Advice NI

Help with the cost of living in Northern Ireland.

Phone 0800 915 4604, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Email advice@adviceni.net
Advice NI website

Turn2Us

Advice about benefits and grants.
Turn2Us website

Page last reviewed: July 2025
Next review due: July 2028