DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
How much does a childminder cost per hour in the UK?
A registered childminder looks after children in their own home, usually in a small group, and charges by the hour. For younger children they often work out cheaper than a nursery, and the setting is more like a family home. This guide covers what parents report paying and how funding fits in.
The quick version
- Childminders are priced per hour, which makes them flexible for odd days or short sessions.
- They are frequently cheaper than a nursery baby room for the youngest children.
- Registered childminders can deliver funded hours, so the 15 and 30 hour schemes still apply.
- Some charge for meals and outings, while others fold these into the hourly rate.
- A minimum number of hours a day or a retainer for holidays is common, so ask upfront.
What people actually paid
The gap: advertised vs actually paid (medians)
People reported paying 24% less than the advertised list price for childminder.
List prices are advertised prices; paid figures are what people reported, often for different cases. Treat the gap as a signal, not a quote.
Real prices, in people's own words
- £4“I used to start from £4. Per hour”
- £5“I paid 4.50ph inc meals”
- £6“I paid £5.50 (Glasgow) per hour”
- £6“we pay £6/hour (went up from £5 about 1.5 years ago). Includes all food/snacks”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
Childminder rates depend on where you live, the child's age and what is included. London and the South East sit well above the rest of the country, as with every kind of childcare. Younger children sometimes cost a little more because of the ratios a childminder has to keep. Beyond that, one childminder might include meals, nappies and days out in the hourly rate while another charges for them on top, so two similar looking rates can add up to quite different weekly totals.
How to pay less
- Choose a childminder registered to offer funded hours so you can use your 15 or 30 hour entitlement.
- Pay the balance through a Tax-Free Childcare account for the government top-up.
- Ask whether meals and trips are included, as an all-in rate can beat a lower rate with extras.
- Check the Universal Credit childcare element if you are a lower-income working family.
- Compare the hourly rate against a part-time nursery for the exact hours you need, since the cheaper option flips depending on age and days.
Common questions
Is a childminder cheaper than a nursery?
For the youngest children, often yes, because a childminder's hourly rate can undercut a nursery baby room. As children reach three and four the gap narrows, and funded hours can make a nursery very competitive. Comparing both on your real hours is the only fair way to tell.
Can a childminder take my funded hours?
Yes, as long as they are registered to offer them. Many childminders deliver the 15 and 30 funded hours in the same way a nursery does, so you can use your entitlement with the wider funding for under-threes as it rolls out.
Do childminders charge when my child is off sick or on holiday?
Many do, either as a retainer or a reduced rate, because they still hold the place for you. Policies vary a lot, so check how sickness, holidays and bank holidays are billed before you sign up.
What is the difference between a childminder and a nanny?
A childminder works from their own home and usually looks after a small group of children from different families. A nanny works in your home and cares only for your children. A nanny costs more but gives one-to-one care, while a childminder spreads their cost across several families.