By Amy Ward @amysbudgeting
Maternal Mental Health Week is a time to reflect and bring awareness to the challenges many mothers face. One of the biggest yet under-discussed challenges faced in parenthood is finances. From the rising cost of living to the high price of childcare, financial pressure can have a serious impact on mental health.
We need to break the silence around the link between financial stress and maternal mental health. Financial stress is not just about the numbers on your bank statement, it’s also about the emotional weight of trying to provide for your family and the guilt that comes with returning to work or not returning to work. We’re going to look more closely at the topic of childcare. For many families, it’s one of the biggest sources of financial strain and emotional stress.
Understanding Childcare Costs
Childcare costs can take up a significant portion of a family’s income, sometimes costing more than rent or mortgage payments. The financial burden of childcare is a common concern but there is thankfully support out there. Understanding your options and the support available is key as this can ease financial and emotional pressure.
What Support is Available?
The government offers several schemes to support families with childcare costs. Here’s who can access them and how to apply:
Funded Hours:
Children aged 9 months to 2 years old can get 15 hours of funded childcare per week, for 38 weeks of the year. From September 2025 this will be increasing to 30 hours per week. Children aged 3 to 4 years old can get 30 hours of funded childcare, for 38 weeks of the year.
- Who can access it: Eligibility for funded hours depends on your child’s age, whether you are working and also your income. You will not be eligible if you or your partner have an expected adjusted net income of over £100,000.
- How to access it: You can check your eligibility and apply for the funded hours on the government website.
Tax-Free Childcare:
Alongside the funded hours, you can get up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare. If your child is disabled this goes up to £1,000 every 3 months (up to £4,000 a year).
- Who can access it: This is available to working parents with children under 12 (or under 17 if your child has a disability). Both parents need to be working and you must earn a specific amount (but less than £100,000 a year), more details here.
- How to access it: Parents can create an online account via the government’s Tax-Free Childcare website. Once registered, you can pay into the account. For every £8 you pay into this account, the government will pay in £2 to use to pay your childcare provider.
You can use the money in the account to pay for approved childcare, this includes childminders, nurseries, nannies, after school clubs and play schemes. Your childcare provider must be signed up to the scheme. You cannot get tax-free childcare at the same time as claiming universal credit or childcare vouchers, but you can use it alongside funded hours.
Benefits and Grants
There are a range of benefits and grants which you may be eligible for. If you’re claiming Universal Credit, you could be entitled to help with your childcare costs up to 85%. That’s up to £1,031.88 per month for one child, or £1,768.94 for two or more children, which can make a huge difference. If you are already receiving Universal Credit, you can apply for the childcare element through your account.
There are also additional grants and schemes that may help with childcare costs, depending on your circumstances. Some local councils offer discretionary grants or extra help for families on low incomes. It’s worth checking your local council’s website or giving them a call to see what might be available in your area.
Workplace Childcare Support
If you are employed, your employer may offer some childcare benefits. While traditional childcare vouchers are now closed to new applicants, many workplaces still offer salary sacrifice schemes that help reduce your childcare bill. These schemes work by letting you pay for registered childcare straight from your pre-tax salary, which means you pay less in tax and National Insurance. Have a chat with your HR team, they will be able to tell you what’s available and how to sign up if you are eligible.
Flexible Childcare Options
If the cost of full-time formal childcare feels too high, it might be helpful to explore more flexible or alternative options. You might find that part-time nursery hours, staggered childcare or flexible working can help reduce the overall need for paid childcare. Also, if you are lucky enough to have friends or family nearby who are able and willing to help, even a few hours a week can make a big difference to your bank balance and wellbeing.
Final Thoughts
This may feel like a lot of information to take in and you may be left wondering what specific support applies to your situation. If you do one thing off the back of reading this post, check out this childcare calculator which will give you more tailored support.
By taking the time to understand and make informed choices about childcare, mothers can help improve their financial situation and in turn boost their overall mental wellbeing. Knowing you’ve got a plan in place and utilising the support that is available to you can help reduce feelings of anxiety and overwhelm.
Remember that you are not alone, financial support and resources are available to help you navigate these challenges. By breaking the silence, asking for support and exploring the help available, we can lift some of that pressure.
Follow Amy @amysbudgeting for more money and motherhood tips.