Family childcare

Having children looked after by a family member is a popular option. But if you do want to use a relative for childcare, consider your relationship with them carefully beforehand. Think about how closely your ideas on upbringing coincide and whether you are able to talk through problems honestly and openly. If so, then this can be a very convenient arrangement.

Advantages

The child and carer are already well known to one another
Family members (particularly grandparents) generally love the
children in a way that professional carers cannot
It’s often a very flexible system; late nights at the office,
or indeed an unexpected day’s leave are less likely to need negotiating
than if you were using a nursery, where arrangements need to be pre-booked
A family member is also more likely to care for your child
if he is poorly
The cost may be much lower. For some families the cost of alternative
childcare almost cancels out the financial benefits of working. Using
your mother or sister may be the only way you can afford to work

Disadvantages

You may find it hard to agree about how you want your baby
brought up, especially if you have strong views on key issues such as
discipline or sweets
The carer can easily begin to feel that they are taken for
granted
If you do disagree about childcare it could spill over into
a general family row
It can be quite hard to change to another form of childcare
without it being seen as a criticism of your relative
You may be uncomfortable talking about money. How much, if
anything, should you pay a relative? Should you be paying for your child’s
meals and transport? Even if you are not actually paying for the car
there may be other costs involved such as an extra car seat or highchair.
It’s worth thinking about who will pay for these before you begin

Where to next?

Family childcare