Cross-border move could yield significant childcare savings for family

A mother of three children has indicated that relocating 10 miles across the border into England could result in monthly childcare savings exceeding £1,000. Emily Broughton, aged 36, resides in Monmouthshire and is a mother to a three-year-old, having also given birth to twins in August. She expressed frustration regarding the disparities in childcare provisions between the two regions, stating that she felt unsupported. The Welsh government reported an annual investment exceeding £100 million in childcare services for children aged two and above. Emily is employed by an environmental charity, while her husband, James, works for NHS Wales. In England, funded childcare hours are accessible for children from nine months of age, in contrast to Wales, where numerous families must await the school term following their children’s third birthday. “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. She added, “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 mentioned that they had postponed having a second child until their eldest reached three years of age, at which point they anticipated receiving financial assistance. The subsequent expectation of twins, Isabelle and Phoebe, was described as a “huge surprise.” Emily had been incurring approximately £900 per month for childcare for her eldest daughter, covering three and a half days weekly. She anticipates that childcare for the twins will incur double this expense. She commented, “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 concluded, “Ultimately lots of families just need help now.” As of September, the monthly fees for Lottie have decreased to £300, coinciding with her third birthday. Emily remarked, “There is a good scheme in Wales once they turn three.” She elaborated, “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.” She asserted, “The childcare system in England isn’t perfect, but it is better than Wales.” Childcare policy is a devolved matter for the Welsh government, which means assistance offered by the UK government is not applicable in Wales. The Welsh government operates two funded programs for children aged two, three, and four. The Flying Start Scheme provides 12.5 hours of funded childcare weekly to specific two-year-olds in designated areas of Wales for 39 weeks annually. While resources are currently directed towards the most disadvantaged communities, the scheme is slated for eventual expansion to include all two-year-olds in Wales. For children aged three and four, parents are eligible to claim up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week, for a maximum of 48 weeks per year, subject to meeting specific criteria. In England, various phases of support are presently being implemented. Since September, working parents have been able to access 15 hours of funded childcare for infants aged nine months, with 30 hours of funded childcare already established for three and four-year-olds. By September 2025, all eligible pre-school children of working parents will be granted access to 30 hours of childcare during term time. However, concerns have emerged regarding the expansion of childcare provisions and staffing levels prior to next September. Joeli Brearley, representing the charity Pregnant then Screwed, commented that while the Welsh childcare system is more progressive than its English counterpart, the existing model is “extremely inefficient.” She stated, “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 added, “Parents are overwhelmed and bamboozled by the many benefit systems, resulting in some not claiming what they are entitled to.” Ms. Brearley expressed a desire for the Welsh government to elevate childcare as a priority. She urged, “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 indicated that she and her husband are eager to resume their professional careers when circumstances permit. She commented, “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 further stated, “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 spokesperson for the Welsh government affirmed, “Our Childcare offer provides up to 30 hours of early education and funded childcare for three and four-year-olds.” The spokesperson added, “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.”