What is the average cost of childcare in the UK in 2026?

It depends on the type of care, the child age, and where you live. The Coram Family and Childcare Survey 2026 found a part-time (25-hour) nursery place for a child under two costs around 189 pounds per week in England for families not claiming funded hours, and 133 pounds per week in Scotland. Babysitter rates average around 15.31 pounds per hour on Bubble platform data, though rates vary by location and experience.

How much have UK childcare costs changed year on year?

The picture is mixed. For eligible families in England with children under two, costs fell significantly in 2025-26 following the expansion of 30-hour funded childcare. For non-eligible families, and for families in Scotland and Wales, costs continued to rise - with Scotland seeing around 5% and Wales around 8% increases for under-twos. Costs for three-to-four-year-olds rose across all parts of Great Britain, including 9% in England.

What is the average babysitter rate in the UK?

Based on Bubble platform data covering millions of completed hours of care, the average sitter rate across the UK is approximately 15.31 pounds per hour in 2026. Rates are typically higher in London and major cities, and vary with experience, qualifications, the number of children, and whether the booking is at short notice.

Can I use Tax-Free Childcare for a babysitter?

Tax-Free Childcare applies to Ofsted-registered providers including nurseries, registered childminders, and some after-school clubs. Babysitters booked through platforms like Bubble operate outside the Ofsted-registered framework, so Tax-Free Childcare cannot be used for these bookings. The scheme tops up your spending by 20 percent (2 pounds for every 8 pounds you put in), up to 2,000 pounds per child per year.

How many childcare providers are there in the UK?

In England, the DfE 2025 provider survey found 53,600 registered early years providers: 21,400 group-based providers (nurseries), 9,900 school-based providers, and 22,300 childminders. The total fell by 1% from the previous year, with the decline concentrated among childminders.

Is there a shortage of childcare places in the UK?

In some areas, yes. Three-quarters of local authorities in England report enough childcare for at least 75% of eligible children under two - but that still leaves a quarter of local authorities with potential gaps. The shortage is most acute for children with SEND, where only 44% of local authorities report sufficient early years provision, falling to 23% for school-aged children with SEND.