Childcare costs for one child aged two to five

This section presents the amount spent on childcare per month by households who have a child aged between two and five years old that is not yet at school, for that child only. It does not cover childcare costs for any other children in the household, even if there are other children within this age group.

During term time, almost two thirds (64%) of households stated that all the childcare they used was free, or was funded by the local authority/Scottish Government. This has remained at a similar level since 2022, and is an increase from 51% in 2018.  A further 18% said that they spent less than 10% of their average monthly income on childcare, a decrease from 31% in 2018. 12% of households spent between 10 and 20% of their average monthly income, 4% spent between 20 and 30%, and 2% spent more than 30% (Table 32).

During the school holidays, a smaller proportion of households (57%) stated that all childcare was free or funded, although this has increased from 43% in 2018. A further 20% spent less than 10% of their average monthly income on childcare, 16% spent between 10 and 20%, 4% spent between 20 and 30%, and 3% spent more than 30% (Table 33).

Across the full year, almost two thirds of households (63%) stated that all childcare was free or funded, similar to 2022 and 2023, and an increase from 50% in 2018. 16% spent between £5,000 and £10,000 on childcare annually, an increase from 10% of households in 2018 and the highest proportion since this date. A further 12% spent between £1,000 and £5,000 annually, a decrease from 25% in 2018 and the lowest proportion since this date. A small proportion spent less than £1,000 (4%), a decrease from 12% in 2018 and the lowest proportion since this date. The remaining households (5%) spent more than £10,000 annually (Table 31 and Figure 4).We are aware that charges for non-funded childcare hours have been increasing, reflecting the costs pressures in recent years and higher levels of inflation. This may be a factor in the increased amount spent annually for those paying for childcare.

Figure 4 Annual amount spent on childcare for one ELC aged child by year

Annual amount spent by households on childcare for one child aged 2 to 5 years old and not yet at school, by year.