With more of us stepping in to assist our kids and grandkids, we ask...SHOULD GRANDPARENTS CHARGE FOR CHILDCARE?

Childcare costs force one in four UK parents to quit work or education. Ministers told they should consider paying grandparents who help out with childcare

- ASHLEIGH PAGE, JUDY BROADBENT, GILLIAN HARVEY.

With the cost of living crisis raging on, we’re all looking for ways to cut down on spending. From swapping to cheaper grocery shops and forgoing takeaways and meals out, to keeping a watchful eye on our heating and water bills. But it seems our adult kids may have it even worse than us, if they have children of their own. With the cost of childcare rising, and the average full-time care for under-twos costing £263 per week, it’s not something that can simply be removed from a budget. According to a new report, 23% of parents have been forced to quit work or study to avoid childcare costs.

AWKWARD SUBJECT

So it’s no surprise that 40% of grandparents over 50 have provided regular childcare for their grandchildren. But should they be paid for their services? Providing food and entertainment can be costly but many feel awkward about charging their kids - often feeling like it’s their familial duty. We speak to two mums with different views on granny daycare…

‘It’s a privilege’

Judy Broadbent, 65, is a writer living in Yorkshire When my youngest daughter Liz gave birth to her first child, a boy named Cameron, I became a grandma for the first time.

I was 49, I worked for myself and had plenty of spare time. Liz asked me to help out, which I willingly did. She lived across the road from me and it made perfect sense to me to offer childcare so that she could continue working.