Children's centres and playgroups 'need to attract more grandparents'
Children's centres and playgroups need to do more to attract grandparents so the children they care for learn to mix with other children, says a grandparents' charity.
Sam Smethers, chief executive of the charity Grandparents Plus, said it would like to see children's centres, Sure Start and playgroups trying 'to reach grandparents who are providing that vital childcare role'.
Research by the Institute of Education last week found that children cared for by their grandparents struggle to socialise with other children and are more likely to have behavioural problems than children who are in nurseries or with nannies and childminders (News, 12 February).
Ms Smethers said that efforts to attract grandparents to toddler groups would 'give children the opportunity to mix with others and help to prepare them for school in the way the research suggests.'
The Pre-School Learning Alliance said that playgroups specifically aimed at grandparents are ideal, because a child can benefit from a grandparent's care and experience while still having structured activities and interaction with other children.
The Alliance runs a number of grandparent and toddler groups in conjunction with the Grandparents' Association and the Salvation Army.
Jan Furlong, baby and toddler group development worker for the Pre-School Learning Alliance in Leeds, runs two grandparent groups. She said, 'Grandparents often feel too intimidated to go to "mums and toddlers" groups, but they really enjoy coming here and they say it gives them a break. I do find children who are cared for by their grandparents have very different language skills. They are very polite. We have a little boy who comes with his Grandma who says "good afternoon, how is everyone".'
Pre-School Learning Alliance chief executive Steve Alexander said, 'Both grandparents and grandchildren can benefit hugely from the educational stimulus, structured activities and social opportunities these groups provide.'
