You are here: News Welsh families face rising tide of childcare costs as prices rise again
Welsh parents now pay an average of £117 per week, or over £6,000 per year, for just a part time nursery place, according to new research from Coram Family and Childcare. This is lower than the British average of £127 per week.
The Childcare Survey 2019 – the 19th annual survey – finds prices have risen by 2 per cent in the last year.
Even if they can afford it, many parents may struggle to find the childcare they need. Less than half of local areas in Wales have enough childcare places for parents working full time. The gaps are even bigger for disabled children and parents working outside the typical 9 to 5, where only one in ten local areas have enough childcare.
Other findings on Welsh childcare prices include:
- A part time place with a childminder for a child under two costs an average of £106 per week
- A part time place in a nursery for a child aged two costs an average of £116 per week
- Five days a week in an after school club costs an average of £49 per week
Most parents will be able to get some support with paying for their childcare, including through new investment currently being introduced. While many families welcome this support with childcare costs, others may be missing out on the help that’s available because the system is so complex.
Some Government support has failed to keep up with childcare price inflation: in 85 per cent of local authorities in Wales, a full time nursery place for a child under two is now more expensive than the maximum costs supported under Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit. Families in these areas will find that they may end up worse off working or working more hours.
Megan Jarvie, Head of Coram Family and Childcare, said:
Contact: Megan Jarvie, telephone: 020 7239 7536, mobile: 07538 334 722, email: press@coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk or megan.jarvie@coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk.
Notes to Editor:
- Full details on childcare prices are available in the Childcare Survey 2019. Childcare prices per week for part time childcare (25 hours) in England, Wales and Scotland:
- Parents can get support with their childcare costs throughout Britain through Working Tax Credits, Universal Credit, Childcare Vouchers and Tax Free Childcare. England, Scotland and Wales also each have several different schemes offering funded childcare to some two, three and four year olds. See the full report for further information.
About Coram Family and Childcare
Coram Family and Childcare works to make the UK a better place for families by bringing together what we learn from our on the ground parent-led programmes and our research to campaign for solutions that parents want and need. We focus on childcare and early years to make a difference to families’ lives now and in the long term. Before August 2018, we were known as the Family and Childcare Trust.
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