The average cost of nursery care in the UK has risen, with the highest fees typically found in London and other major cities. For children under two, the average cost of part-time nursery care (25 hours or 2.5 days per week) has increased to £8,194 per year (52 weeks), up from £7,729 in 2023. Below is a summary of the average daily costs by region:

• Scotland: £55 per day
• England: £63 per day
• Wales: £55 per day
• London: £75 per day

`` These figures represent averages across each region and are based on a sample of nurseries. Please note that actual costs can vary depending on a range of factors.

Nursery care for children aged 0-2 years is generally more expensive due to higher staff-to- child ratios and additional expenses, such as nappies, wipes, and meals. The most significant factor influencing nursery fees, however, is location, with nurseries in densely populated cities like London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow tending to be the most expensive. Conversely, nurseries in more rural areas often have lower average daily costs.

Many nurseries offer incentives for full-time enrolment, meaning you may receive a discount if your child attends for more hours or days each week.

For a detailed breakdown of nursery costs based on your specific needs, use our Nuuri Cost Calculator.

For more information on available government support for nursery fees, please visit our Government Support Guide.

For advice on managing nursery waiting lists, check out our Nursery Waiting Lists Guide.

To learn more about what to look for on Nuuri nursery profiles, see our Nursery Search Checklist.