Scottish Household Survey 2025 Childcare

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 (63%) 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 23% said that they spent less than 10% of their average monthly income on childcare, a decrease from 31% in 2018. 11% of households spent between 10 and 20% of their average monthly income, 1% spent between 20 and 30%, and 1% spent more than 30% (Table 32).

During the school holidays, a smaller proportion of households (52%) stated that all childcare was free or funded. A further 28% spent less than 10% of their average monthly income on childcare, 17% spent between 10 and 20%, 2% spent between 20 and 30%, and 2% spent more than 30% (Table 33).

Across the full year, almost two thirds (62%) of households stated that all childcare was free or funded, similar to 2022 to 2024, and an increase from 50% in 2018. 18% spent between £1,000 and £5,000 on childcare annually, and a further 10% spent between £5,000 and £10,000. A small proportion spent less than £1,000 (4%) or more than £10,000 (5%) annually (Table 31 and Figure 3).

Figure 3 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.