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Childcare costs surveys

Daycare Trust publish annual childcare costs surveys in January (nursery, childminder and out-of-school childcare costs) and July (holiday childcare costs).

Childcare costs in 2011

A summary of the findings of the Daycare Trust childcare costs and holiday childcare costs surveys is given here. You can purchase the full reports from our online shop.

Childcare costs have typically increased by more than the average wage, placing parents under further financial strain in the face of rising living costs. Most shockingly, the cost of a childminder for a child aged two and over in Scotland increased by 8.3 per cent - almost four times as much as the average wage.
The average yearly expenditure for 25 hours nursery care per week for a child under two is £5,028 in England, £5,178 in Scotland and ££4,723 in Wales
The most expensive nursery reported cost parents £11 per hour. Parents using this nursery for 25 hours per week could conceivably pay £14,300 over the course of a year.
There has been a significant increase in the cost of nurseries in England and Scotland. In Wales, the costs of a nursery place for a child aged under two fell slightly but increased for children aged two and over.
Worryingly, some 60 per cent of Family Information Services across Britain said that parents had reported a lack of childcare in their area during the past twelve months.
Particular gaps in childcare provision were found for secondary school age children and those with a disability or special educational need.
Only 12 per cent of FIS said there was sufficient childcare to meet the needs of parents working atypical hours across their local authority.