Childcare vs Income Calculator

Is the income worth it after childcare costs?

Many families compare gross salary to raw nursery fees and conclude it's not worth one parent working. But that ignores Tax-Free Childcare, funded hours, employer pension contributions, and the long-term cost of career breaks. This calculator does the full picture properly for either parent.

Income

Gross annual salary (£)

Full-time equivalent salary before tax

Days per week

Salary sacrifice pension?No

Student loan plan

Partner income affects eligibility for funded hours and TFC

Children

Child 1

Date of birth

Childcare type

Monthly cost before funding (£)

Hours at nursery per week

Term time only?52 weeks/year (stretched)

Childcare Entitlements

Tax-Free Childcare account?Yes