'My husband might give up work to care for our kids' - nursery bills in Wales highest in Britain
Summary
Childcare costs in Wales are the highest in Great Britain, making it difficult for some families to afford nursery fees. Some parents say these costs affect decisions about having more children or working, as supported nursery hours differ between Wales and England.Key Facts
- Nursery fees for children under two are highest in Wales compared to the rest of Great Britain.
- The average weekly cost of part-time nursery care in Wales is about £166.33, which rose 8% from 2025.
- Wales offers two funded childcare schemes: 30 hours free for ages 3-4 and 12.5 hours free for some 2-year-olds, with plans to expand.
- In England, parents can get 30 hours of free childcare starting when their child is 9 months old.
- Charlotte Seddale, a mother in Wales, says high childcare costs influenced when she had children and might cause her husband to stop working.
- Families in border areas feel the difference in childcare support between Wales and England is unfair, calling it a "postcode lottery."
- Some parents in England feel fortunate to get earlier childcare support compared to those living just across the border in Wales.
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