Salary and income data is based on ONS and other official UK statistical sources. Figures are averages and may not reflect your individual circumstances.
Contents
If you want a complete route through maternity, paternity, and family-leave pay decisions, start with the Maternity and Paternity Pay Hub for the full framework.
Going back to work after maternity leave involves careful financial planning.
Read more: See our Employment Rights guide for a complete overview of this topic.
The Big Question: Does It Pay?
Simple Calculation
Your Earnings
Monthly
Gross salary
£
Take-home (after tax, NI)
£
Minus childcare costs
-£
Minus commuting costs
-£
Minus work clothes/lunches
-£
Net benefit
£
But Also Consider
Factor
Long-Term Impact
Career progression
Future earnings
Pension contributions
Retirement income
Work gap on CV
Harder to return later
Mental health
Social contact, identity
Child’s development
Childcare can be positive
Childcare Costs
Childcare costs vary widely by region, provider type, and child’s age — London and full-time nursery places are typically the most expensive, while childminders, nannies (shared or sole), and family care are often cheaper. Rather than rely on a single national average that quickly goes stale, check current prices directly with local providers or via Childcare Choices, and use your free hours and Tax-Free Childcare entitlement to offset the cost.
Help With Childcare Costs
Tax-Free Childcare
Feature
Details
How it works
Government adds 20%
You put in
£8
Government adds
£2
Maximum top-up
£2,000/year per child
For disabled child
£4,000/year
Must earn
At least minimum wage for 16 hrs/week
Earn under
£100,000 (each parent)
Free Childcare Hours
Entitlement
Eligibility
15 hours a week (universal)
All 3-4 year olds, regardless of parents’ work status
15 hours a week (targeted)
Eligible/disadvantaged 2-year-olds
30 hours a week (working parents)
Working parents, from 9 months old to school age
The 30-hours offer was phased in between April 2024 and September 2025 and now covers eligible working parents from when their child is 9 months old through to school age — check Childcare Choices for current eligibility and how to apply.
Working Parent Eligibility (30 hours)
Requirement
Details
Both parents working
If two-parent family
Single parent working
If lone parent
Earning minimum
16 hours at minimum wage
Earning under
£100,000 each
Universal Credit
If On UC
Childcare Help
Up to 85%
Of childcare costs covered
Maximum
£1,071.09/month (one child)
Maximum
£1,836.16/month (two or more children)
Must be
Registered childcare
Childcare Vouchers (Legacy)
If Enrolled Pre-2018
Can Continue
Salary sacrifice
Tax and NI efficient
Can’t combine with
Tax-Free Childcare
Calculate
Which is better
Before Returning
Financial Checklist
Task
Done
Calculate true net income
☐
Research childcare costs
☐
Apply for Tax-Free Childcare
☐
Check free hours eligibility
☐
Review household budget
☐
Plan emergency childcare
☐
Questions for Employer
Question
Notes
Flexible working options?
Can I reduce hours?
Working from home?
Compressed hours?
Job share possibility?
Childcare vouchers available?
Return to work bonus?
Flexible Working
Your Rights
Right
Details
Request
From day one of employment
Employer must
Consider seriously
Response within
2 months
Reasons to refuse
Limited, must be genuine business reason
Appeal
If refused, can request review
Making a Request
Element
Include
Proposed pattern
Days, hours, times
Start date
Realistic
Impact on job
How you’ll manage
Benefits to employer
If any
Common Arrangements
Arrangement
Details
Part-time
Fewer hours/days
Job share
Split role with another
Compressed hours
Same hours, fewer days
Flexitime
Varying start/finish
Remote working
Home some/all days
Term-time only
Unpaid leave in holidays
Budget Adjustments
New Expenses
Expense
Monthly Cost
Childcare
£
Commuting
£
Work clothes
£
Convenience food
£
Extra household help
£
Total new costs
£
Potential Savings
Change
Saving
No more maternity pay
(it was temporary)
Full salary returns
+
Employer pension
+ (may have stopped)
Back to employee benefits
+
Emergency Fund
For
Amount Needed
Childcare gaps
1-2 months costs
Child illness
Plan for days off
Backup childcare
Know costs
Tax and Benefits Changes
Tax Changes
When Return
Consider
Tax code
May need updating
Marriage allowance
If applicable
Childcare benefits
Don’t overlap schemes
Child Benefit
High income charge?
If Partner’s Hours Change
Situation
Tax Impact
Partner reduces hours
Lower household income
You earn more than partner now
Tax implications
One high earner
Child Benefit charge
Keeping In Touch Days
Before You Return
KIT Days
Details
Up to 10 days
During maternity leave
Paid
At normal rate
Voluntary
Don’t have to do them
Good for
Staying connected, easing return
Summary: Return to Work Checklist
Financial Preparation
Task
Done
Calculate net benefit of working
☐
Research childcare options
☐
Apply for Tax-Free Childcare
☐
Check free hours eligibility
☐
Compare childcare schemes
☐
Review household budget
☐
Build emergency fund
☐
Employer Discussions
Topic
Discussed
Return date
☐
Flexible working request
☐
KIT days
☐
Phased return
☐
Childcare vouchers
☐
Childcare Sorted
Item
Done
Childcare place secured
☐
Backup childcare plan
☐
Trial period completed
☐
Tax-Free Childcare set up
☐
Free hours applied for
☐
Budget Review
Item
Monthly Amount
Take-home pay
£
Childcare cost
£
Commuting
£
Net gain from working
£
Key Contacts
Service
For
Childcare Choices
childcarechoices.gov.uk
Tax-Free Childcare
gov.uk
ACAS
Flexible working advice
Working Families
Support and advice
Turn2us
Benefits check
Returning to work is a major decision. Run the numbers carefully — but remember to consider long-term career impact, not just short-term costs. Many parents find the first year or two tight financially, but it becomes easier as children start school and free hours increase. Get professional childcare advice if you’re unsure which government scheme suits you best.