Nursery World - Early years wary of paying grandparents

A Government proposal to pay grandparents for caring for their grandchildren so parents could go out to work or training has been given a mixed reception by early years organisations. The proposal, floated last week by the Department for Work and Pensions (DfWP), has been attributed to Alastair Darling, work and pensions secretary. However, a DfWP spokeswoman has sought to play down the issue, describing newspaper coverage as 'premature and speculative'.

The proposal, floated last week by the Department for Work and Pensions (DfWP), has been attributed to Alastair Darling, work and pensions secretary. However, a DfWP spokeswoman has sought to play down the issue, describing newspaper coverage as 'premature and speculative'.

She said the DfWP intended to evaluate a scheme being run by Nottinghamshire County Council and added, 'Our interest in it is in transitional short-term help to get people off benefits and into work.'

Nottinghamshire has run the Child Care Voucher Scheme for about ten years. More than 1,000 families have accessed the scheme, which operates in certain disadvantaged areas of the county including rural areas and former coalfields, giving them up to 25 per child per week towards their childcare costs.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included