Help with the cost of Childcare

There are ways to access financial help with the cost of childcare depending on your child’s age, your personal circumstances and/or your income. If your child is three years or over, they will be entitled to Nursery Education Funding which will pay for 15 hours of childcare per week. Click on the links above for more information about the free flexible entitlement.

Additional sources of help ...

• If you are a single parent and looking to return to work you can talk to a personal advisor at Job Centre Plus who will be able to explain what benefits or tax credits you may be entitled to on returning to work, and may be able to help with registered childcare costs - New Deal for Lone Parents
• You can apply for either of the Tax Credits which include Working Tax Credit with a childcare element attached to it and Child Tax Credit
• Some employers offer childcare voucher schemes

Childcare costs vary depending on where you live in the UK, however SureStart provide the following childcare cost averages in their April 2005 publication Looking for Childcare:

• Childminders - on average £3 per hour but rates vary anywhere between £2 and £7
• Day nurseries - from £141 to £197 per week
• Private nurseries - Between £800 and £1,200 per term
• Pre schools and playgroups - round £3 to £5 per session
• Children’s centres - from £141 to £197 per week
• After and/or before school care - £5 to £10 for after school clubs, and £1 for breakfast clubs
• Holiday playschemes - around £15 for a day or £75 for a week

Childcare costs leaflet available to download below.