She and her husband estimate that full-time childcare for their four-year-old daughter Hayden and eight-month-old son Avery would cost them £2,000 per month. This financial burden has also led them to reconsider having more children and has raised concerns about affording extracurricular activities for their kids.
Thomas, who was made redundant while on maternity leave, has noticed that childcare costs have increased by £12 daily since her son Avery's birth. As she seeks work to cover these additional expenses, many parents are struggling with similar challenges.
A recent report from Oxfam Cymru highlights how childcare costs and a lack of government-funded childcare are pushing some parents into poverty.
Over a quarter of surveyed parents spend over £900 monthly on childcare, and about two-thirds have had to reduce their working hours due to limited childcare options.
More than half of respondents find that after paying for childcare, it makes no financial sense for them to work, discouraging them from having more children.
While the Welsh government offers various childcare support schemes, such as the Childcare Offer for Wales and Flying Start, parents like Stephanie Thomas continue to face the financial strain of childcare.
This issue has prompted calls for a comprehensive review of the childcare system to ensure that public funds effectively reach families in need.