Childcare in the family

Are grandparents being overlooked in what is perhaps a vital form of
childcare fore babies, toddlers and young children?

Responding to a report published by Grandparents Plus calling for direct
payments for Grandparents providing childcare for their grandchildren,
Daycare Trust joint Chief Executive Alison Garnham said: “Grandparents
should be recognised for the role they play providing invaluable childcare,
but introducing direct payments would require a process involving registration,
auditing and inspection, and I don’t think anyone wants to see Government
inspectors in their living room scrutinising their family life. “If there
is money available for childcare then it should be spent on meeting the
Government’s pledge to increase the free childcare entitlement to 15 hours
per week for 3 and 4 year olds and extend the entitlement to all 2 year
olds”.

Childcare in the family

Getting a family member to look after your child can seem the perfect
solution to childcare provision. However there areas that will require
consideration:-

• you must be confident that he or she is fit enough,
• has a basic knowledge of childcare and first aid,
• and that the house where your child will be cared for is safe

How old is too old?

Age should be a consideration. In practice a relative may be more suitable
for preschool and afterschool care, rather than long days spent with a
baby or toddler. Grandparents may also be more appropriate for part-time
rather than full-time care.

What are the positives to using grandparents

• A family member, such as a grandparent, is likely to love your child
  as much as you do
• Your child will almost certainly develop a close bond with the relative,
  which will enrich both their lives
• A grandparent, aunt, sister or uncle who alreayd has a family will
  be experienced with children
• Your family may live locally reducing the need to travel any distance
  for childcare
• Family members may be more flexible about hours
• Grandparents may be prepared to drop off/collect from nursery/school
  leaving them free for the majority of the day
• Family members are more likely to look after your child if they are
  sick
• Family members may be happy for your child to have friends round to
  play
• Children respond well to a familiar environment
• Your child will have consistent love and care

What are the negatives to using grandparents

• A grandparent, particularly an older one, may find the physical demands
  of a young child challenging, despite how willing they appear
• A grandparent may have pre-existing commitments and possible retirement
  interests that they don’t want to disrupt, and their free time may not
  fit in with your work hours
• You will need to consider the way they use discipline, potty training,
  attitudes to homework and so on, and it can be difficult to ask them
  to do things your way.
• If they’re looking after a baby or toddler, you’ll probably have
  to buy two sets of equipment, such as highchair, stair gates, car seats
  etc.
• Is their home as child-safe as yours (remember, they won’t be inspected
  by Government regulatory bodies as other childcarers might be)
• You will need to consider how you want your child to meet other young
  children, but an older relative may not feel comfortable attending a
  playgroup predominantly for younger mums
• If your employer or college is contributing to your childcare costs,
  they may insist you use registered childcare, but if this is the case,
  your relative can apply to become a registered childminder, if they
  want to.
• Informal arrangements can go wrong and if they do, it’s your own
  family you’re falling out with – potentially causing long-term rifts

How much do you pay?

Although you’re dealing with a family member, you may still want to agree
an informal (or indeed, formal) contract about hours, holidays, time off
and whether you make any payment or not.

Who can help?

If you’re a grandparent and thinking about caring for your grandchildren
full-time, call the Grandparents’ Association advice line on 0845 434
9585 or Grandparents
Plus.

Grandparents Plus, a national charity, promotes the vital role of grandparents
and the extended family in children’s lives, particularly where parents
are no longer able to care for their children. We do this through partnerships,
evidence based projects and training to support practitioners, and through
networks, newsletters and consultation to give grandparents, extended
families and grandchildren a voice.

Date
25th March 2009

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