Moving 10 miles could save us thousands in childcare

A mother-of-three says moving 10 miles over the border into England could save her more than £1,000 in childcare costs a month.

Emily Broughton, 36 who lives in Monmouthshire, has a three-year-old and gave birth to twins in August.

She said differences in childcare across the border were frustrating and she felt she had been left in the lurch.

The Welsh government said it invested more than £100m every year in childcare for children aged two and up.

Emily works for an environmental charity and her husband James works for NHS Wales.

In England, funded childcare hours are available for children aged nine months and older, whereas in Wales many families have to wait until the school term after their children have turned three.

"We would save at a guess around £1,000 to £1,400 a month if we lived 10 miles down the road in England," Emily said.

"It would still be commutable and we also have family in England. When we add up over the multiple years the saving we could make if we moved is definitely something to think about."

She said they waited to have a second child until their oldest would be three and they would have financial support.

The fact they then were expecting twins Isabelle and Phoebe was a "huge surprise".

Emily had been paying about £900 a month for childcare for their eldest daughter for three-and-a-half days a week. She expects childcare for the twins to cost double that.

"That will be the majority of my salary and I think for a lot of families that’s not really possible to live off just one persons salary anymore," she said.

"Ultimately lots of families just need help now."

Since September, the fees for Lottie have reduced to £300 a month now she is three.

Emily said: "There is a good scheme in Wales once they turn three.

"Essentially if you're both working, you're in the lurch until then, it's a long time and it's not clear how you're supposed to manage.

"The childcare system in England isn't perfect, but it is better than Wales."

The issue of childcare is devolved to the Welsh government, meaning help provided by the UK government does not apply here.

The Welsh government has two funded schemes for children aged two, three and four.

The Flying Start Scheme offers 12.5 hours of funded childcare a week to some two-year-olds in parts of Wales, for 39 weeks a year. Resources are focused on the most disadvantaged communities, however it will eventually be available to all two-year-olds in Wales.

When children are three and four, parents can claim up to 30 hours of funded childcare a week, for up to 48 weeks a year - providing they meet certain criteria.

In England, different stages of support are currently being rolled out.

Since September, working parents can get 15 hours of funded childcare for nine-month-olds, while 30 hours of funded childcare is already available for three and four-year-olds.

By September 2025 - all eligible pre-school children of working parents will be able to access 30 hours of childcare during term time.

But concerns have been raised about the increase of childcare places and staff before next September. 

Joeli Brearley from charity Pregnant then Screwed said although the Welsh childcare system is more progressive than the system in England, the current model is "extremely inefficient".

"It penalises single parents and those who have multiple births and disproportionately benefits those on middle and high incomes who stand to gain the least from an affordable system," she said.

"Parents are overwhelmed and bamboozled by the many benefit systems, resulting in some not claiming what they are entitled to."

Ms Brearley said she wanted to see the Welsh government prioritise childcare.

"We implore them to understand the role it plays as both economic infrastructure and as early years education, and to consider more efficient ways to invest in its development."

Emily said the couple are keen to return to work when they can.

"We should be supported to continue working, especially when you’ve spent time building careers. When I return it will be mainly for that reason because I won’t be taking much [money] home," she said.

“I feel like there should be more support in Wales to encourage women and keep women in work, regardless of what kind of work they do.”

A Welsh government spokesperson said: "Our Childcare offer provides up to 30 hours of early education and funded childcare for three and four-year-olds.

"Unlike in England, it is available to parents in training and education as well as those in work. It is available 48 weeks per year, compared to England’s 38 weeks and includes some flexible holiday provision which can be taken throughout the year."