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Grandparents as childcare providers - the new norm?
A survey by Gransnet finds that one in six has quit their job to look after their grandchildren.
Read the full survey results below.
| On how many days per week - in a normal week - do your look after your grandchild(ren)? (If this changes, please choose the one that applies most often.) | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| Less than 1 | 2 % |
| 1 | 19 % |
| 2 | 26 % |
| 3 | 12 % |
| 4 | 6 % |
| 5 | 6 % |
| 6 | 0 % |
| 7 | 1 % |
| I don't do regular weekly childcare, but I look after my grandchild/grandchildren in the school holidays | 10 % |
| I don't do regular weekly childcare, but I do ad hoc babysitting/sick days/emergencies | 11 % |
| Never | 6 % |
| If you answered 'never' is this because of: (Tick all that apply.) | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| Living far away from your grandchildren | 62 % |
| Looking after another grandchild/another set of grandchildren | 0 % |
| Work commitments | 10 % |
| Ill health/physical constraints | 10 % |
| Estrangement | 7 % |
| They no longer need babysitting, but I used to | 5 % |
| Don’t feel it’s your responsibility | 8 % |
| Other | 7 % |
| If you have been asked to provide childcare and refused, how have your children reacted? If this has happened on more than one occasion, please think about the most recent. | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| They were disappointed, but understood my reasons | 28 % |
| There was temporary argument/breakdown in communication which we’ve since resolved | 3 % |
| There is long-term tension in our relationship | 1 % |
| We are estranged because of it | 1 % |
| N/A - have never been asked for childcare and refused | 63 % |
| Other | 4 % |
| Some grandparents contribute financially toward expenses of or for their grandchildren. Which, if any, of the following do you (and your husband/partner if applicable) contribute to for your grandchildren? Tick all that apply. | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| Toys/games (aside from at Christmas/birthdays etc) | 48 % |
| Other clothing | 43 % |
| Food | 32 % |
| Holidays | 25 % |
| Shoes | 24 % |
| Have savings accounts for them (long-term) | 24 % |
| Pocket money | 21 % |
| Swimming/ballet/tennis/music lessons etc | 18 % |
| School uniform | 18 % |
| Coats | 15 % |
| Childcare | 10 % |
| Flights | 5 % |
| Schooling | 2 % |
| University tuition | 0 % |
| Nothing | 14 % |
| Other | 10 % |
| What are the best things about your childcare arrangement? You can tick up to 3 best things. | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| The closeness between me/us and grandchildren | 82 % |
| Knowing that my grandchildren are with someone who loves them | 61 % |
| Flexibility, convenience and peace of mind for the parents | 45 % |
| I/we can give my children attention in a way that the parents don’t have time for | 23 % |
| It’s the only way the parents could afford to go back to work | 20 % |
| Passing on my/our wisdom and experience to grandchildren | 17 % |
| The money the parents save | 16 % |
| Don't know | 3 % |
| Other | 4 % |
| How do you feel about the arrangement you have for looking after your grandchildren? Tick any that apply. | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| It's an amazing chance to spend time with my grandchildren | 63 % |
| I’m happy to help out my son/daughter/SIL/DIL | 62 % |
| It’s a big commitment, but I’m happy to do it | 47 % |
| Taken for granted | 7 % |
| I feel out of pocket | 3 % |
| It’s a big commitment and I resent doing it | 1 % |
| Other | 5 % |
| Not stated | 5 % |
| What about costs...Are you paid to look after your grandchildren? Are you given ad hoc gifts or treats (i.e. a bottle of wine or night out) to say thank you? Are your expenses incurred when looking after grandchildren repaid/paid for? | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| Paid a set rate | |
| Yes | 3 % |
| No | 77 % |
| Don't know | 0 % |
| N/A | 19 % |
| Given gifts | |
| Yes | 31 % |
| No | 52 % |
| Don't know | 1 % |
| N/A | 16 % |
| Paid expenses | |
| Yes | 8 % |
| No | 71 % |
| Don't know | 0 % |
| N/A | 20 % |
| Irrespective of whether you are paid or not, do you think you should be paid for the regular childcare arrangement? | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| No, not at all | 67 % |
| Should only pay expenses | 23 % |
| Yes, but less than a childminder/nursery | 7 % |
| Yes - the same as a childminder/nursery | 2 % |
| Yes - more than a childminder/nursery | 1 % |
| Net: yes | 10 % |
| How much do you think you spend on your grandchildren when looking after them? Please answer for term time and school holiday time. If your grandchildren are not yet in school please answer the same for term time and holiday time. Please give an average per day. | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| In term time | |
| Nothing spent at all | 21 % |
| Up to £10 per day | 45 % |
| Between £10 and up to £20 per day | 7 % |
| Between £20 and up to £50 per day | 1 % |
| Over £50 per day | 0 % |
| No idea | 19 % |
| Not stated | 8 % |
| In school holiday time | |
| Nothing spent at all | 10 % |
| Up to £10 per day | 38 % |
| Between £10 and up to £20 per day | 20 % |
| Between £20 and up to £50 per day | 6 % |
| Over £50 per day | 1 % |
| No idea | 19 % |
| Not stated | 6 % |
| Did you give up paid employment/take early retirement in order to help out with the grandchildren? | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| No | 70 % |
| Yes | 15 % |
| N/A - I haven’t retired/given up work | 11 % |
| N/A - I don’t help out with the grandchildren | 4 % |
| If you answered 'yes' to the question above, do you feel that ...? (Tick all that apply). | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| The time spent with your grandchildren is well worth it | 80 % |
| I'm happier now I spend time with the grandchildren | 51 % |
| My sacrifice is appreciated | 50 % |
| This is the new norm for my generation | 32 % |
| I’m financially unstable as a result | 17 % |
| I was happier when I was working | 4 % |
| Are there any tensions that arise as a result of your childcare arrangements with your son/daughter/ son in-law/ daughter in-law? | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| Yes | 13 % |
| No | 80 % |
| For each of the following please say to what extent - if at all - the arrangement for childcare of your grandchildren is the source of tension in your relationship with the parents of the grandchildren, regarding.... | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| Messiness of your house and garden | |
| Source of a lot of tension | 1 % |
| Source of some tension | 12 % |
| Causes no tension at all | 65 % |
| Not applicable to us | 21 % |
| Messiness of the parents' house and garden | |
| Source of a lot of tension | 2 % |
| Source of some tension | 12 % |
| Causes no tension at all | 61 % |
| Not applicable to us | 24 % |
| Money - day-to-day costs like toddler groups, meals and trips out | |
| Source of a lot of tension | 0 % |
| Source of some tension | 5 % |
| Causes no tension at all | 71 % |
| Not applicable to us | 24 % |
| When you take a holiday | |
| Source of a lot of tension | 2 % |
| Source of some tension | 15 % |
| Causes no tension at all | 61 % |
| Not applicable to us | 23 % |
| Timekeeping - their (e.g they are late arriving/collecting) | |
| Source of a lot of tension | 1 % |
| Source of some tension | 20 % |
| Causes no tension at all | 56 % |
| Not applicable to us | 23 % |
| How to discipline | |
| Source of a lot of tension | 1 % |
| Source of some tension | 14 % |
| Causes no tension at all | 69 % |
| Not applicable to us | 17 % |
| Lack of or forms of communication | |
| Source of a lot of tension | 2 % |
| Source of some tension | 18 % |
| Causes no tension at all | 59 % |
| Not applicable to us | 21 % |
| How and when the childcare arrangements are made | |
| Source of a lot of tension | 1 % |
| Source of some tension | 14 % |
| Causes no tension at all | 66 % |
| Not applicable to us | 19 % |
| Amount of TV/screen time | |
| Source of a lot of tension | 1 % |
| Source of some tension | 13 % |
| Causes no tension at all | 69 % |
| Not applicable to us | 18 % |
| Timekeeping - yours (e.g you are late picking up) | |
| Source of a lot of tension | 0 % |
| Source of some tension | 5 % |
| Causes no tension at all | 60 % |
| Not applicable to us | 35 % |
| Nutritional content of meals and snacks provided by you | |
| Source of a lot of tension | 0 % |
| Source of some tension | 11 % |
| Causes no tension at all | 73 % |
| Not applicable to us | 16 % |
| How has looking after your grandchildren affected your health? | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| It keeps me fit | 41 % |
| Not at all | 35 % |
| I’m constantly exhausted | 12 % |
| It’s had an adverse effect on my physical health | 3 % |
| I’ve ended up in hospital because of a serious health scare | 0 % |
| Other | 9 % |
| Do you also provide childcare for any other grandchildren? And if so, does this cause any tension with other members of the family? Tick the option which applies to you. | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| Yes, we provide childcare for other grandchildren - this does causes tension | 5 % |
| Yes, we provide childcare for other grandchildren but it doesn't cause any tension | 28 % |
| No, do not provide childcare for any other grandchildren | 61 % |
| Not stated | 6 % |
| Net: yes | 33 % |
| If money and availability of quality childcare were no issue, would you still provide childcare? | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| Yes | 60 % |
| Yes, but I’d want them to split it with other childcare providers | 23 % |
| No | 5 % |
| Don't know | 12 % |
| How many grandchildren do you look after? | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| One | 30 % |
| Two | 37 % |
| Three | 16 % |
| Four | 7 % |
| Five or more | 5 % |
| Not stated | 6 % |
| Are you female or male? | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| Female | 95 % |
| Male | 5 % |
| Which of the following describes your normal working status?You can tick more than one if applicable | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| Full-time paid employment | 8 % |
| Full-time self-employed | 2 % |
| Part-time paid employment | 15 % |
| Part-time self-employed | 5 % |
| Student | 0 % |
| Stay at home parent/do not work/not seeking work | 5 % |
| Carer | 3 % |
| Retired | 57 % |
| Unemployed, looking for work | 1 % |
| On sick leave/unable to work | 4 % |
| Volunteer e.g for charity/local groups | 6 % |
| Other | 2 % |
| Not stated | 1 % |
Gransnet.com survey of 988 Gransnet users that ran between 31 May and 7 September 2017. The data is not weighted.