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Childcare Cost Calculator

Calculate annual and monthly childcare costs after free hours entitlement and Tax-Free Childcare savings.

Last reviewed: 10 February 2026Source: ONS — Living Costs and Food Survey
Childcare Cost Calculator · CALifestyle & Everyday

Rates & sources

Indicative UK averages drawn from ONS Living Costs and Food Survey, plus trade body data.

Source: ONS — Living Costs and Food Survey — figures refreshed at the start of each tax year.

When to use this calculator

  • When you need a fast estimate before making a bigger decision.
  • When you want to compare a few scenarios using the same assumptions.
  • When you need a clearer starting point before using a detailed quote or formal document.

A realistic Canada planning example

Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.

Hours Per Week

40 hours

Hourly Rate (CA$)

5%

Weeks Per Year

25 years

Free Funded Hours Per Week

40 hours

After entering these figures, compare annual cost, monthly and tax-free childcare saving before deciding which scenario looks strongest.

How to read your results

Annual Cost

Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how the key drivers affect the final outcome.

Monthly

Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how the key drivers affect the final outcome.

Tax-Free Childcare Saving

Review this figure alongside your gross income so you can understand the true cost of deductions.

Net Annual

Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how the key drivers affect the final outcome.

Method & assumptionsAuthoritative sources

Enter weekly hours, hourly rate, weeks per year, and your free funded hours entitlement to calculate annual and monthly childcare costs. All 3–4 year olds in England are entitled to 15 free hours per week (term time), rising to 30 hours for working parents who meet the income criteria. Tax-Free Childcare provides a 20% top-up (up to £500/quarter) on childcare costs — enter this saving to see your net cost.

Common mistakes

  • !Using optimistic assumptions without testing a more cautious scenario as well.
  • !Comparing outputs from different tools without checking that the inputs match.
  • !Treating the result as a final quote instead of a planning estimate.

What to do next

  • Try at least one more scenario so you can compare a realistic range instead of a single estimate.
  • Use the related calculators below to cross-check the decision from another angle.
  • Open one of the linked guides if you need more context before you act on the result.

Frequently asked

All 3–4 year olds in England get 15 free hours per week in term time. Working parents may qualify for 30 hours. From September 2024 this is being expanded to younger children in stages.

Use arrow keys to navigate items, Enter or Space to expand/collapse.

End-of-article next steps

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