Returning to Work After Maternity Leave: A Financial Guide

Is it worth going back to work?

This is one of the most common questions new parents face. The answer depends on your salary, childcare costs, and work-related expenses. Our Return to Work Calculator can give you a personalised answer in minutes.

Key costs to consider

Cost	Typical monthly range
Full-time nursery (under 2)	£800 - £1,500
Childminder (full-time)	£600 - £1,200
After-school club	£200 - £400
Commuting (train/bus)	£100 - £400
Work lunches and clothing	£50 - £200

Government support available

Several schemes can help reduce your childcare costs:

• Tax-Free Childcare — For every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2, worth up to £2,000 per child per year.
• 30 hours free childcare — Available for 3-4 year olds of working parents (and some 2 year olds).
• Universal Credit childcare element — Can cover up to 85% of childcare costs for eligible families.
• Childcare vouchers — If you joined a scheme before October 2018, you may still be able to use employer childcare vouchers.

Part-time vs full-time

Working part-time can sometimes be more financially efficient because:

• Childcare costs reduce proportionally with fewer days
• You may still receive most government support
• Commuting and work expenses drop
• You keep career progression and pension contributions going

Next steps

Use our Return to Work Calculator to get your personalised breakdown. It takes less than 2 minutes and shows you exactly where you would stand financially.