Revealed: The cost of childcare in Nottinghamshire

The Government made expanding free childcare a key pledge in last year's budget, in a drive to help parents back into the workforce.

Currently, parents earning below £100,000 can claim 15 hours of free care for children aged three or four – but this will expand to two-year-olds from April.

However, a children's charity has said parents are still being ‘locked out’ of work by expensive rates.

New estimates from the Department for Education (DfE) suggest parents in Nottinghamshire were paying £5.45 an hour in 2023 to have their two-year-olds looked after – less than the England average of £6.07.

For children aged three and four, childcare cost parents in the area £5.17 an hour, below an average of £5.90 for this age group.

The DfE surveyed 93 childcare providers for two-year-olds in Nottinghamshire and 127 for those aged three and four.

Ellen Broome, managing director of Coram Family and Childcare, said: "At a time when family budgets are under extreme pressure, the cost of childcare is making it near impossible for families to increase their income by working more hours.

"And too many parents, particularly mothers, are effectively locked out of work as they can’t make the sums add up.

"High quality childcare is key to social infrastructure.

"It helps parents work and narrows the gap between poorer children and their more affluent peers."

She welcomed the expansion of free care this spring but said bringing prices down and making it accessible will be key, particularly when it comes to helping disadvantaged children.

Separate figures from the Office for National Statistics show employment rates among young parents – particularly mothers – are significantly lower than their peers.

As of 2021, just under half of mothers with a child aged two or younger were in work, rising to just 55 per cent for those with a toddler aged three to four.

A DfE spokesperson said their plans could save eligible parents £6,500 per year, on average.

They added: "We want to ensure eligible families can benefit from this transformative offer as soon as possible, while ensuring parents and providers are prepared.

"That’s why the first stage of the new offer will start in April and working parents can register for a place now.