This parent-led survey demonstrates the real life impact of increasing childcare costs for families in Hackney, London.
In April 2025, Hackney Council announced significant changes to nursery fees at 11 council-run Children’s Centres. These changes include a general fee increase of 7–8% and the removal of subsidies for families earning between £55,000 and £100,000 before tax — a policy shift that, for many, increases their monthly costs by more than half.
In response, local parents organised a campaign, and Whitehead Communications collaborated with parents to conduct a survey to better understand the impact of these changes on families. The survey received 170 responses from across the borough and income spectrum, representing ~600 affected children.
In response, local parents organised a campaign, and Whitehead Communications collaborated with parents to conduct a survey to better understand the impact of these changes on families. The survey received 170 responses from across the borough and income spectrum, representing ~600 affected children.
  | The findings are striking. Nearly all respondents report that childcare costs are already a major source of financial strain, and that the proposed increases will make matters significantly worse. Many parents — especially those with more than one child, middle income earners, those relying on full-time care, and those who do not qualify for “free” 15/30 hours — are considering reducing or leaving work, relocating from Hackney, or abandoning plans to buy a home or have more children. While National Government fails to provide adequate childcare funding, the decision by Hackney Council is passing the cost onto parents and the impact is dramatic. This report offers a data-driven, parent-led account of what the fee increases mean for real people — and why it is not too late for leadership to rethink and change course. |
Key Findings on the Real Life Impact of Nursery Fee Rises
Our survey shows that parents don't have any room in their budget for higher childcare costs.
93% of respondents say childcare is already causing financial strain, and only 14% earning under £100k feel "comfortable" enough to bear the financial pressure.
55% are considering reducing their work hours and 40% of parents whose households earn less than £70k are considering leaving the workforce altogether because childcare costs too much.
The cost of childcare in Hackney is stopping 28% from buying homes, and 51% of respondent are considering moving or leaving Hackney altogether. 51% are looking at alternatives to Hackney's Children's Centres and 53% are having fewer children than they want.
84% are very or extremely concerned about the impact of the nursery fees increase on their family finances, and 80% of respondents say this issue will affect their votes in the next election!
55% are considering reducing their work hours and 40% of parents whose households earn less than £70k are considering leaving the workforce altogether because childcare costs too much.
The cost of childcare in Hackney is stopping 28% from buying homes, and 51% of respondent are considering moving or leaving Hackney altogether. 51% are looking at alternatives to Hackney's Children's Centres and 53% are having fewer children than they want.
84% are very or extremely concerned about the impact of the nursery fees increase on their family finances, and 80% of respondents say this issue will affect their votes in the next election!
Parent Voices
The testimonies of parents and carers shared in the survey demonstrate the sources of great concern. Key themes that came up many times in their stories included:
- Broken System and Policy Contradictions
- Economic Insecurity and Cost of Living
- Impact on Work and Women’s Employment
- Multi-Child Families Penalised
- Forced Relocation from Hackney
- Cliff Edge at £55k
| “This price increase effectively cancels the 30 free hours childcare, it is an outrageous increase to level on people already struggling with excessive childcare costs at such short notice” —Income £70,001–£100,000, 1 child, considering relocating & alternative childcare “I (amongst many) have been sagely awaiting the 30 hour free childcare to start in September so we can have enough money to move to a bigger house or have another child but with these fee increases we feel this probably won’t be possible without moving out of London” — Income over £100,000, 1 child under 2 “Not eligible for relief [free hours] as it doesn’t include PhD students. We currently are in a band slightly less effected but once my wife starts working we would easily be in the most effected band. We love it here in hackney so much, we just don’t want to have to leave or change our lives completely because of such a massive increase. It is so beyond difficult to pay twice as much in fees for childcare.” —Husband to a PhD student, £34,000–£55,000, 1 child “Expected this [free hours, lower costs] when decided to have 2nd child. Currently pregnant. Will have a big problem after maternity leave.” — Income £70,000-£100,000, 1 child and pregnant, ‘Managing’ financially “The current proposed changes will increase unemployment, especially in moms and increase poverty.” — Income £34,000–£55,000, 2 children, Considering leaving employment “Cancelling out the 15/30 hours with fee increases seems regressive. All families should have access to well priced excellent childcare. I will be so sad if I have to take my child out of [nursery] for financial survival.” — Income £70,001–£100,000, 2 children, considering reduced work & moving “The children centres nurseries are a fantastic provision in the borough and something Hackney should be proud of and fighting to preserve. For this to change is really concerning.” — Income £55,001–£70,000, 2 children, considering leaving employment “We took a mortgage knowing that childcare for our 2 years turning 3 in sept would have dicreased and now we have to squeeze all the other cost to be able to sustain 400 pounds a month increase of childcare; if not selling the house and descale.” — Income £70,001–£100,000, 1 child “We are a relatively high earning family but we wont afford living in Hackney with two children under 4.” — Income over £100,000, considering relocating “I have already taken a pay cut at work in order to be under the 55k band to make nursery fees more affordable [...] I'm sole provider for myself and my child.” ---Income £34,001- £55,000 “It’s cruel to lead us on into thinking we would receive support with childcare - only remove the subsidy. It’s sneaky and unjust.” — Income £34,000–£55,000, 2 children under 2, ‘Struggling’ & turning down promotion |
Conclusion and Recommendations
The Protect Hackney Nurseries campaign calls on Hackney Council to act urgently:
- Pause the September 2025 fee increase to allow for proper consultation, impact assessment and alternative modelling of the budget and social effects.
- Reinstate income-sensitive fee bands, or introduce a tapered approach to avoid the sudden cost ‘cliff edge’ at £55,000+ household income (which is equivalent to the combined income of a couple working full time on London living wage).
- Protect multi-child families and those using full-time nursery care, who face disproportionately large financial strain.
- Consider those who do not qualify for “free hours” and face much higher nursery bills, such as parents of young babies, PhD students or migrant skilled workers.
- Ensure full transparency, advanced notice and engagement with parents before making further decisions affecting childcare affordability.
- Join parents in lobbying national government to address the long-standing underfunding of early years education and provide local councils with the support they need.
Hackney is known as a child-friendly borough, which is what attracted many families here. This council has an opportunity to lead — to listen to its residents, protect what works, and advocate for a fairer national system. Join us to protect affordable childcare in Hackney!
