Bethan Lewis reporting for BBC Wales News, explored the significant disparities in childcare costs between Wales and England. Oxfam Cymru highlighted that families in Wales were burdened with childcare bills for children under two that were more than double the average in England. Unlike parents in England who can claim 15 hours of free childcare a week for children aged between nine months and two years, Welsh parents receive no government assistance for childcare costs for children under two. The cost of nursery care for under-twos in Wales is now higher than anywhere else in Great Britain, according to children’s charity Coram.
A survey conducted by Coram revealed that the cost of a part-time nursery place for a child under two in Wales is £155, while in England, the cost falls to £70 once funded hours are considered. This financial burden has forced many families in Wales to forgo return to work opportunities, as highlighted by Katie Bromley, a mum of three who expressed her struggles with the rising childcare costs. Similarly, Ffion Ryan, a mother of three, emphasized the challenges parents face until children turn three, underscoring the need for financial support towards childcare expenses in Wales.
In England, working parents of children between nine months and two years can claim 15 hours of free childcare a week, a provision that will extend to 30 hours for all under-fives from September 2025. Conversely, funded childcare in Wales is available for children aged two, three, and four. The Welsh government has acknowledged the need for further support in childcare, with various political parties proposing different solutions such as an expanded and more affordable childcare offer. Despite these proposals, nursery owners like Lisa Owen highlighted the financial strain on childcare providers, with cost increases leading to higher charges for parents.
The issue of childcare costs is anticipated to be a focal point in the upcoming 2026 Senedd election campaign, with various political parties offering different visions for childcare support. Plaid Cymru aims to deliver an enhanced and more affordable childcare offer, while the Welsh Conservatives advocate for replicating England’s policy of 30 hours of free childcare for all under-fives. The Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds pushes for 30 hours of free childcare for all pre-school Welsh children from nine months old. The Welsh Labour government, on the other hand, emphasized its focus on supporting the most disadvantaged communities by allocating additional funds towards childcare schemes
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