Childcare Calculators
Use free childcare calculators to estimate nursery fees, childminder costs, funded childcare hours, monthly budgets, salary percentages and potential savings from government childcare support. Choose the right calculator for your family and compare costs before accepting a childcare place.
Find The Right CalculatorCalculate Childcare Costs
Estimate nursery, childminder, after-school and annual childcare fees using your actual schedule and provider rate.
View Cost CalculatorsCheck Funded Hours
Compare 15-hour and 30-hour childcare entitlements, term-time patterns and stretched funding across the year.
View Funding ToolsCompare Savings
Estimate childcare savings, salary impact and potential help from Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit.
View Savings ToolsFind The Right Childcare Calculator
Answer a few questions about what you need to calculate. The tool will recommend the most relevant childcare calculator and explain which information to prepare.
What Do You Need To Work Out?
Select your main childcare question, provider type and family situation to receive a calculator recommendation.
Your Calculator Recommendation Will Appear Here
Select your main goal, childcare type, child’s age and preferred result to find the most suitable calculator.
Your Recommended Calculator
All Childcare Calculators
Choose a calculator for nursery fees, childminder costs, funded childcare hours, savings, salary comparisons or monthly budgeting.
Childcare Cost Calculator UK
Estimate the complete weekly, monthly and annual cost of childcare using the provider rate, booked hours, funded childcare, extras and other support.
Calculate Childcare CostsNursery Cost Calculator
Calculate nursery fees using days per week, daily hours, hourly rates, funded hours, meals, deposits and regular additional charges.
Calculate Nursery FeesChildminder Cost Calculator
Estimate childminder fees using hourly care, meals, mileage, retainers, holiday arrangements, funded childcare and sibling discounts.
Calculate Childminder CostsNursery Cost Per Month Calculator
Convert daily, hourly or annual nursery fees into a realistic monthly budget and compare annualised invoices with variable monthly billing.
Calculate Monthly CostNursery Cost Per Week Calculator
Estimate the weekly childcare bill after funded hours and recurring nursery extras such as meals, nappies and additional sessions.
Calculate Weekly FeesNursery Cost 2 Days A Week Calculator
Calculate a two-day nursery schedule and compare the cost of full days, shorter sessions, funded hours and stretched childcare.
Calculate Two-Day CostsNursery Cost 3 Days A Week Calculator
Estimate a three-day nursery arrangement, including paid hours, funded childcare, extras and the resulting monthly family payment.
Calculate Three-Day CostsNursery Cost 4 Days A Week Calculator
Calculate a four-day nursery schedule and compare gross fees, funded-hour reductions, support and remaining parent-paid costs.
Calculate Four-Day CostsFull-Time Nursery Cost Calculator
Estimate full-time nursery costs over four or five days, including long-day sessions, annual closures, funding and regular extras.
Calculate Full-Time FeesChildcare Cost Percentage Of Salary Calculator
Calculate how much of monthly take-home pay is spent on childcare and compare the result before and after funded hours or support.
Compare Cost With SalaryFree Childcare Hours Calculator
Estimate likely funded childcare hours according to the child’s age, family route, intended term and preferred term-time or stretched pattern.
Calculate Free HoursFunded Childcare Hours Calculator
Convert a 570-hour or 1,140-hour annual entitlement into weekly hours across 38, 48, 51 or 52 weeks.
Calculate Funded HoursChildcare Eligibility Calculator UK
Compare the main childcare support routes using the child’s age, work status, household circumstances and childcare requirements.
Check Childcare Eligibility30 Hours Free Childcare Calculator
Estimate annual and weekly funded childcare under the 30-hour entitlement and compare it with the total childcare schedule.
Calculate 30 Hours15 Hours Free Childcare Calculator
Calculate the annual value of a 15-hour entitlement and estimate the remaining parent-paid childcare hours across the year.
Calculate 15 HoursChildcare Savings Calculator
Compare childcare costs before and after funded hours, discounts, Tax-Free Childcare or another confirmed support amount.
Calculate Childcare SavingsTax-Free Childcare Calculator
Estimate the government top-up on eligible childcare payments and compare parent deposits with the amount available to the provider.
Calculate Tax-Free ChildcareUniversal Credit Childcare Calculator
Estimate the possible reimbursement of approved childcare costs and the remaining amount a family may need to fund.
Estimate UC Childcare HelpTax-Free Childcare vs Universal Credit Calculator
Compare two childcare support routes using the same eligible costs and review the estimated family contribution under each option.
Compare Childcare SupportAfter-School Club Cost Calculator
Estimate after-school childcare fees using days per week, session rates, school terms, sibling discounts and additional activity costs.
Calculate Club CostsNursery vs Childminder Cost Calculator
Compare two childcare quotations using the same days, hours, funded entitlement, meals, holidays and regular extra charges.
Compare Nursery And ChildminderWhat Childcare Calculators Can Help You Compare
A reliable childcare budget should include provider fees, funded hours, recurring extras, support, deposits and the number of weeks childcare is actually needed.
Explore Childcare Planning Guides
Use the calculators alongside detailed guides on nursery fees, funded childcare, Tax-Free Childcare, Universal Credit and choosing a provider.
How To Get Accurate Childcare Calculator Results
A calculator can only be as accurate as the figures entered. Use the provider’s written fee schedule rather than a rough average whenever possible.
Include every recurring cost and check how funded hours are applied. A lower headline hourly rate can still create a higher annual bill when the provider requires long sessions or charges separately for meals and consumables.
- Use the provider’s current hourly, daily or sessional rate.
- Enter the number of childcare weeks actually needed.
- Apply only funded hours the provider has confirmed.
- Add meals, nappies, trips and other recurring extras.
- Keep refundable deposits separate from permanent costs.
- Recalculate after fee, work or eligibility changes.
How Childcare Calculators Work
Childcare calculators convert a family’s schedule, provider rate, funded entitlement and additional costs into weekly, monthly or annual estimates. Different calculators focus on different parts of the childcare decision.
Cost Calculators
A cost calculator begins with the number of hours or sessions booked and multiplies them by the provider’s rate. It can then add meals, deposits, registration fees, trips or recurring extras.
Funding Calculators
A funding calculator converts the annual entitlement into weekly hours. For example, an entitlement used over 38 weeks gives more funded hours each week than the same entitlement stretched across 48 or 51 weeks.
Savings Calculators
A childcare savings calculator compares the gross childcare bill with the estimated parent contribution after funded hours, discounts or childcare support.
Salary Percentage Calculators
These tools compare the monthly childcare payment with take-home salary. This can help families understand the immediate budget impact of returning to work or changing working hours.
Comparison Calculators
Comparison tools place two childcare options side by side using the same schedule. This can be useful when comparing a nursery with a childminder or term-time funding with stretched funding.
| Calculator Type | Main Inputs | Typical Result |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Cost Calculator | Hours, rate, weeks, extras and funding | Weekly, monthly and annual family cost |
| Funded Hours Calculator | Entitlement and funding weeks | Weekly funded hours and paid hours remaining |
| Childcare Savings Calculator | Gross cost, funding and support | Estimated annual and monthly saving |
| Salary Percentage Calculator | Monthly childcare cost and take-home salary | Percentage of salary spent on childcare |
| Provider Comparison Calculator | Two provider quotations | Difference in complete annual cost |
Information To Prepare Before Using A Childcare Calculator
Collecting the correct information before calculating can prevent misleading results and make provider comparisons more useful.
Provider Fee
Ask whether the provider charges by hour, session, day, week, month or year. If the provider quotes a daily rate, record the exact hours included in that day.
Attendance Pattern
Record the number of days, daily hours and childcare weeks required. Include school holidays or workplace closure periods where relevant.
Funded Childcare Pattern
Confirm whether funded hours are used over 38 weeks or stretched across more weeks. Ask which sessions are available and whether additional paid hours are compulsory.
Meals And Consumables
Add compulsory meals, nappies, wipes, milk, trips, activities and other services. Small weekly extras can become a large annual cost.
Deposits And Registration Fees
Separate refundable deposits from non-refundable registration fees. A deposit may affect initial cash flow without being a permanent childcare cost.
Childcare Support
Apply only support for which the family appears eligible. Avoid using Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit for the same costs.
Salary Figures
Use take-home pay rather than gross salary when calculating the percentage of household income spent on childcare.
Provider Quote
Use a personalised written quotation rather than an advertised starting price.
Annual Schedule
Count the actual childcare weeks and any charged closure periods.
Funding Confirmation
Confirm the funded sessions and start date with the provider.
Recurring Extras
Add weekly charges and annual fees to the comparison.
Using Childcare Calculators With Official Support Checks
Independent childcare calculators are useful for budgeting, but official services determine eligibility and payment limits for government childcare support.
Funded Childcare Eligibility
Working-parent funded childcare depends on the child’s age, employment, earnings and household circumstances. Families should check the official rules and complete any required application before the relevant deadline.
Tax-Free Childcare
Tax-Free Childcare provides a government top-up to eligible childcare accounts. Scheme limits, reconfirmation and approved provider requirements apply.
Universal Credit Childcare Costs
Eligible Universal Credit claimants may receive help with approved childcare required for work. The amount can depend on actual costs, household circumstances and current monthly limits.
Avoid Double Counting
Do not apply two forms of support to the same childcare cost in a calculator. Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit cannot normally be received at the same time.
Related Childcare Cost And Funding Guides
Continue planning childcare with detailed guides covering provider fees, funded hours, support schemes and household budgeting.
Average Nursery Cost UK
Understand the factors that affect nursery prices and why local provider quotations can differ substantially.
Read The Cost Guide →How To Reduce Nursery Costs
Review funded childcare, support schemes, session patterns, sibling discounts and lower-cost alternatives.
Reduce Nursery Costs →Tax-Free Childcare Account
Learn how childcare accounts, government top-ups, payments and reconfirmation work.
Read The Account Guide →Universal Credit Childcare Costs
Understand eligible costs, reporting, payment timing and help with upfront childcare expenses.
Read The UC Guide →Funded Childcare Hours
Compare universal, supported and working-parent childcare entitlements and their start dates.
Check Funded Childcare →Choosing A Nursery
Compare availability, care quality, fees, funded sessions, contracts and practical travel.
Choose A Nursery →Childcare Calculators FAQs
Answers to common questions about childcare cost calculators, funded hours, savings estimates and salary comparisons.
Find The Right Childcare Calculator
Choose your childcare type, child’s age and main budgeting goal to find the best calculator for costs, funded hours, salary comparisons or childcare savings.
Start Calculator Finder