Key Highlights
- The case of Robin Lloyd, a nurse from Monmouthshire who moved to Gloucestershire for free childcare.
- Differences in childcare support between Wales and England: Free childcare is available in England but not in Wales for children under two.
- Expansion plans for the Flying Start scheme in Wales, but concerns about affordability for families.
- Promises from political parties to improve childcare provision in Wales by 2031.
The Cost of Care: A Family’s Decision to Move Across Borders
Robin Lloyd, a 35-year-old nurse, decided to move her family across the Welsh-English border, making the journey from Chepstow to Gloucestershire. This decision was driven by the desire to access free childcare for her one-year-old son, enabling her and her husband to continue working part-time.
According to Lloyd, she realized that the cost of childcare in Wales would nearly double her mortgage payment each month. She explained, “I knew I wanted more than one child but the cost of childcare was going to mean that it wasn’t going to be possible until my son was pretty much four years old.” The financial burden prompted them to move a mere 30-minute drive away, incurring costs of £15,000 for legal and administrative fees.
Differences in Childcare Support Across Borders
In England, working parents are eligible for 30 hours of free childcare per week during term time, starting from the age of nine months. This policy contrasts sharply with Wales, where there is no support for children under two years old. The Welsh government’s Flying Start scheme offers 12.5 hours of free care a week to all two- and three-year-olds in designated areas, but it only covers approximately half of the target demographic as of September 2024.
The expansion plans include additional funding from an extra £25 million, targeting more disadvantaged communities in Wales. Sarah Ostler, early years and Flying Start manager for Merthyr Tydfil council, emphasized the importance of ensuring sufficient childcare places: “We’ve prioritised our more disadvantaged communities and made sure provision is sustainable.” Despite these efforts, some areas continue to lag behind, such as Monmouthshire, where local councillor Lisa Dymock highlighted the disparity: “Many people have moved from Bristol expecting the same offer but now realize they’re not entitled to free childcare.”
Political Commitments and Future Plans
Several political parties in Wales have outlined their intentions to address these disparities. Plaid Cymru pledged to offer at least 20 hours of free childcare for all children aged nine months to four years by 2031, while Welsh Labour remains committed to expanding the current free childcare provision for two-year-olds and subsidizing care for three- and four-year-olds. The Welsh Liberal Democrats proposed a more extensive package, including 30 hours per week of childcare for working parents with children aged nine months to school age.
Despite these promises, Lloyd remains concerned about the long-term implications: “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.” Her decision underscores the broader challenges faced by families in Wales as they navigate the complex landscape of childcare costs and government policies.
