Childminding for grandaughter

I am in the same situation with my new (first) grandchild, I offered 2 days a week but I have been thinking of the logistics of it ( They live 30/40 minutes away) and I also care for my husband who has had a stroke, I hav been thinking of paying for one day of their child care instead but it is nearly £75 per day I know they would struggle if they had too pay anymore. Seems silly you can get help at age 3 but not as a baby.

As a health visitor, I saw this a lot, and would advise:

Your age isn't important, but your health & vitality are. make it very clear that you will do your best, and let them know if you feel you cannot cope.

Keep everything simple, don't worry about using ready prepared meals etc.

Look around your area - there will be toddler / stay and play type groups that welcome grandparents (indeed, you will often find they outnumber the parents!). Use these to give a structure to your day.

Do you like swimming, and is a pool nearby? We find taking LOs swimming is a lovely experience, takes up a good bit of time, excellent exercise for us all, and usually tires them out!

If you decide to help with nursery fees instead (I obviously don't know your situation) then consider - depending on the geography / transport - caring for your DGGC for 2 half-days rather than 1 whole day. You may find this less tiring.

Nurseries are expensive - in this country we have a perfect storm of high standards and minimal state help. I applaud the high standards, and would like to see nursery staff paid more, but under the current arrangement we end up with this situation.

I agree with Shelflife that's a big commitment Evergreen could you compromise and help with nursery fees for one of the days. Caring for a young child when you are older is very tiring and you should have time for yourself now.
Good luck whatever you decide.

I have always had grandchildren one day each week , two days is quite a commitment. I think the most important thing is to be honest with yourself about how much you are able to do for your Great Grandchild.
You have done your bit with your own children and no doubt Grandchildren so please don't take too much on !! I think if I give one day each week then I have the time to do two days in an emergency . I know how expensive nursery fees are and my DD and SIL are not big earners so I recognize how difficult it is for them .However I stick to my guns , and it remains one day each week. Good luck !

Just caught up reading all your lovely posts
You have shown me it can be done and i applaud you all for your magnificent efforts.Hope some of you manage to stay with me for support on my journey.

Thankyou yes.it is a big commitment and as its some way off yet weve said we will review it nearer the time to see if anything else has turned up once the panic of the situation has subsided (having to buy all equipment or source it from somewhere again as first lot given away and suitcases of girly baby clothes carefully packed away but it will be a boy (we are all delighted) but practically ..none of these clothes are of anyuse to her. Its just i like to be organised so looking at whats?on offer in our are re babygroups what days etc and is there even a local meetup of grandparent carers of little ones etc etc.

We committed to a day a week for grandson 1. Less than 3 years later, his parent had a baby and other daughter had 2. At times we had 4 under 5 year olds on our child care day. Luckily the 2,older children were soon in nursery.
We have loved being with our grandchildren but yes, it’s very tiring x

I looked after both my grandsons from 10 months old until they started school two and half days a week .3 days in the school holidays I’m in my late sixties and the youngest one stared school today
It’s hard work but I have enjoyed it .and have a loving relationship with both of them , my husband retired 4 years ago so I have had help .
While they are small have a rest when they have their nap .
As they got older we had lots of fun days out.
Also played lots of games .jigsaw puzzle s ect .and they have their own toys that they leave here to play with
I found other mums and grandparents that I got talking to in the park were always friendly

Bloody Hell - I’ve just aged myself 10 years!!! I’m only 70!

I had my grandson most weekends from him being one - he’s 3 now and I’m 80. It was exhausting but I had to step in as DD1 and SiL both work weekends and can’t change things and there was no-one else to help out. One drawback for me was everywhere I took him was always crowded, but you should be luckier if you’ve yours midweek. As for vouchers - unless it’s a benefit of working for the NHS - the hours of free childcare don’t start until the term after the child is 3 and my DD pays £15 a day for DGS’s meals and £65 a day that his free hours don’t cover. Perhaps the OP’s family are in receipt of certain benefits which would qualify for a free place sooner?

In retrospect the years have flown and once he’s at school things will be different as DD will have to find a different job as her employer won’t change her hours.

I did exactly the same with my granddaughter at your age (four years ago). I took her to a toddler group for the mornings of the two days I had her, which gave us both company (and where I made a new friend who has become very close), then brought her home or pushed her through town until she fell asleep. It was tiring but delightful, it kept me very fit and gave us a lovely bond. I hope it will go well for you when you get into it.

I look after my grandson two days a week and it is exhausting keeping up with a toddler. He's two and I am sixty three. If you are able to share the load, then I would suggest that. It is a big commitment.

Hi and welcome Evergreen
That's quite a commitment, hope it all goes well for you
Are you sure that they will get help via Government funding from the age of two?