Summary
Childcare can be one of the largest recurring household costs after moving. Cost is not just the headline hourly rate. Parents need to compare funded entitlement eligibility, session structure, opening hours, meals, consumables, wraparound costs, holiday cover, deposit terms and notice periods.
In England, funded childcare entitlements include universal support for 3 and 4 year olds and expanded working family entitlements. From the current rules, eligible working families can access up to 30 hours for children from the term after they turn 9 months until school age, subject to eligibility and provider availability. Funded hours are usually discussed as term time hours, but many providers stretch them across the year, changing the monthly invoice.
Definition
Childcare costs are the recurring costs of nursery, childminder, preschool, wraparound or holiday care after applying any funded entitlements. Funding entitlements reduce the childcare hours a parent pays for directly, but providers may still charge for meals, consumables, additional hours or optional services where allowed.