Mum of twins says 'I'm better off not working due to price of child care'

Campaigners say parents in Wales are better off not working due to the price of childcare. Parents in England are now entitled to 15 hours a week free childcare for their two-year-olds in order to get parents back to work.

But in Wales no such scheme exists, and parents say they’ve been left helpless. In Wales the Welsh Government allows parents of three and four-year-olds to claim up to 30 hours of free childcare a week for up to 48 weeks of the year, reports WalesOnline.

Wales parents of two-year-olds can also apply to the Flying Start scheme where they can access free childcare but can only qualify if they’re considered deprived enough. It is hoped the scheme will eventually be open to all parents of two-year-olds.

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But Laura Austin, who has twin daughters Raya and Reeva, aged one, said she is receiving no support at all and she's struggling financially. Laura, who is living in Ynyshir, Rhondda Cynon Taf, said she would like to return to work for three days a week but has worked out it would be more costly to work than to stay at home.

Laura claims support for parents of children aged two or under in Wales is inadequate and leaves many mothers and fathers in an “impossible situation”. “I am a parent of one-year-old twins and currently I am facing the challenge of providing adequate childcare,” she said.

“For me, like many others, the high costs of childcare make it financially impossible to return to work, leading to an ever-complicating and distressing financial situation. Our story is not unique. Countless parents across Wales struggle with the same predicament.”

If Laura, 34, went to work, she has worked out her family’s combined household income would be around £2,195 a month, while if she stays at home the family’s income is £2,550 a month. She said that’s partly because childcare costs in her area for her twins would be £104.50 a day and she would have no support in order to pay it.

“I can’t imagine how much it would cost in places such as Cardiff,” she said. “Childcare costs are so expensive with one child, let alone two.”

Laura has called on the Welsh Government to extend its offer of free childcare, and said she thinks the provision needs to be extended to younger children so parents can return to work. She has asked for parents of children aged nine months or more to be given 15 hours free childcare a week.

“By offering 15 hours of free childcare from the age of nine months for working parents we can open up avenues of not only economic opportunity but also stability for families in Wales,” she said. “Currently if I looked at an independent child-minder to drop off and collect my children that would again cost more money.

"I finished my first year of university but can’t return until the children are older as we weren’t eligible for any help towards childcare. As it stands, I won’t be entitled to any free hours until January 2026 - a long time when your financial situation isn’t great and you have no prospect of helping yourself. I’m literally stuck.

"I’ve always worked since I left school and if money has ever been tight previously, I would just do overtime. Money is tight now and I’m powerless to do anything about it. It makes me feel trapped and hopeless.

“It’s very difficult at the moment, with the cost of living rising continuously it’s hard to keep up with bills and basic essentials that all babies need. I know of another parent of twins who lives in Wales and is considering moving to England due to the 15 hours childcare. In England they would be over £1,000 better off a month.”

Laura's campaign has received some support. Commenting on the petition, Pauline Fox-Reid said: "Childcare is for profit and is too expensive.

Benefits are denied and are inadequate. Maternity and paternity pay is inadequate. Families are expected to do everything unpaid. Bills are excessive and it's therefore uneconomic to work. The cycle of poverty is evident internationally."

Olivia Smart, who lives in England, said if she didn't have the extra 15 hours free childcare a week she would be "financially ruined". She said she is also a mother of twins.

A spokesperson for the Welsh Government said: “We invest more than £100m every year in childcare for children aged two and up through our flagship Flying Start and childcare offer schemes. 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.”