Childcare juggling act as UK keeps wheels turning
AS the Government urges parents not to request childcare help from vulnerable grandparents or other relatives, families are learning the true value of the support they get from loved ones.
A quarter of grandparents usually provide childcare during the working week, while four out of five provide further support.
Typically, they spend eight hours a week looking after grandchildren, saving families an estimated £22.5billion in childcare costs, according to SunLife.
Director of marketing Ian Atkinson said this will cause problems as families avoid non-essential contact due to Covid-19: “The coming weeks and months could be difficult.”
Insurer Royal London’s personal finance specialist Becky O’Connor said closing schools and nurseries is forcing millions of working parents to juggle childcare, home schooling and their jobs. Key workers can take children to school during the day but still face childcare dilemmas if they work late shifts.
“Some parents will try to draft in nannies, tutors and babysitters, but this may pose a health risk and will come at a cost,” O’Connor said, with outside childcare costing around £240 per child each week.
Some can claim support through the Tax-Free Childcare scheme, where the Government pays £2 for every £8 that goes to a childcare provider, but O’Connor warned: “Many ad hoc and individual childcare providers are not signed up to this scheme, meaning parents will not benefit.”
The worst hit will have to stop work unless relatives can chip in, but that will depend on their age, vulnerability and if they have symptoms.