Key Highlights
- The difference in free childcare policies between England and Wales drives families to cross the border for better support.
- In England, working parents can access 30 hours of free childcare per week during term time, starting from nine months old.
- Wales offers less extensive support, with only 12.5 hours of free care weekly for two- to three-year-olds under the Flying Start scheme.
- Families like Robin Lloyd have moved to England to save on high childcare costs in Wales.
The Divide Over Childcare: England vs Wales
Across the border between England and Wales, a stark difference in government support for families with young children is driving significant decisions. In England, working parents can access 30 hours of free childcare per week during term time, starting from nine months old. This policy has been transformative for many, easing financial burdens and opening doors to employment.
In contrast, Wales faces a more complex landscape.
The Flying Start scheme provides just 12.5 hours of free care per week for two- to three-year-olds. By the end of the 2024-2025 financial year, it had reached 15,901 children—about 52% of two-year-olds in Wales. Despite additional funding and efforts by local authorities, significant disparities persist.
Personal Stories
Robin Lloyd, a 35-year-old nurse from Chepstow, Monmouthshire, exemplifies the impact of these policies on families. She could see the difference just across her kitchen window in England, where she observed families receiving financial support for their children as young as nine months old.
“I realised that I would be paying almost double my mortgage each month in childcare in Wales but I could see England out of my window and the people in the houses over there would be having financial support,” Lloyd told BBC News. The prospect of unaffordable childcare meant delaying her hopes for a second child, leading to a difficult decision to relocate just 30 minutes away to Gloucestershire, England.
The move cost them £15,000 in solicitors’ fees and stamp duty but was deemed “going to be a heck of a lot cheaper than trying to pay childcare in Wales,” according to Lloyd. Her story is not unique; many families are making similar tough choices to ensure their financial stability.
Political Response and Future Prospects
In response, local authorities and political parties across Wales are positioning themselves ahead of the next Senedd election. In October 2025, Conservative councillors in Monmouthshire proposed a motion calling on the Welsh Government to match England’s entitlement of 30 hours free childcare from nine months old. The motion was unanimously supported by councillors of all parties, including Labour.
The Welsh government argues its approach is both sustainable and progressive, with the Flying Start programme now being extended to all two-year-olds.
However, critics argue that more needs to be done to level the playing field for families across Wales. Plaid Cymru has pledged at least 20 hours’ free childcare for 48 weeks a year to all children nine months to four years old by 2031. The Welsh Liberal Democrats propose 30 hours per week for children from nine months to school age and investment in school holiday provision.
Reform UK is preparing its own manifesto, promising “real change Wales needs.” As the debate continues, families like Robin Lloyd’s are left to make hard decisions, balancing personal aspirations with financial realities. “I’m really sad about it.
I’ve left my home. But ultimately, if it means I can have the family, it’s worth it,” she reflected.
Conclusion
The disparity in childcare policies between England and Wales is not just a political issue but affects real families making difficult choices to ensure their children’s best start in life. As the Senedd election approaches, these issues will undoubtedly shape future policy and support for working parents across the borderlands.
