Childcare costs have risen faster than inflation for the tenth year in a row; astoundingly, the average cost of care in the UK for children under two years old is now £157.68 per week (part-time) or £302.10 per week (full-time), according to Coram's 2024 childcare survey. These figures make the UK childcare system among the most expensive in the world.
Alongside ever-rising costs, parents also face years-long waiting lists for settings (and, in some cases, a dearth of suitable places altogether due to nurseries closing faster than they are opening nationwide). Meanwhile, childcare settings are battling ever-increasing costs – including utilities, business rates and food bills – and staff are reporting high levels of stress due to pressurised workloads.
The system is broken, but for most of us, there is no other option.
Stylist is delving deeper into the sacrifices parents are making to afford it all. In The True Cost, our new fortnightly series, we ask women exactly how they make it work.
We would love for you to contribute to this new series. Please click the link below to fill out the form.
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