Unclear guidance- grandparents and covid

[schafernaker]

Evening all,

Discussing with a friend about grandparents looking after grandchildren in a local lock down area, I guess now tiger 2. My understanding was that it was only for work purposes. She believes it’s for ‘caring purposes’ (which to be fair it does say everywhere I’ve looked) and therefore could be grandparents caring for their kids whilst the parents pop to the pub.

Just wondering who’s interpretation is correct and if anyone knows of somewhere where it is clearly set out when Grandparents can look after grandchildren,

If it were me i would be protecting grandparents regardless of laws or guidance.

To be fair we are talking young, fit grandparents. Early 50s and still working in the community

When it was announced that informal family childcare arrangements would be allowed in local lockdown areas it was stated that this was the government acknowledging that in order for some people to work they need their family childcare. So therefore I would consider it essential childcare for work, not people cannhave a good old night out

@Sweetchillijam

If it were me i would be protecting grandparents regardless of laws or guidance.

Whilst in essence I see where you're coming from it just isn't as simple as that for many people.

Without my in laws we wouldn't be able to work and earn money and we are by no means unusual.

My inlaws insisted on seeing the grandkids anyway, its their risk to take.

@nannynick posted this on another thread, I would imagine it also relates to tier 2:

"Looking at Tier 3, it has in the exemptions:
Source: www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1105/pdfs/uksi_20201105_en.pdf

"Exception 3: informal childcare
(4) Exception 3 is that the gathering is reasonably for the purposes of informal childcare provided by a member of a household to a member of their linked childcare household (see paragraph 8)."

Paragraph 8:
"Linked childcare household
8.—(1) For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, a “linked childcare household” means a household that is linked with another household for the purposes of informal childcare in accordance with this paragraph.
(2) Where a household includes at least one child aged 13 or under (“the first household”), that household may link with one other household (“the second household”) for the purpose of the
second household providing informal childcare to the child aged 13 or under in the first household
if—
(a) neither the first household nor the second household are linked with any other household for that purpose in accordance with this paragraph or a provision of any other regulations made under Part 2A of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, and
(b) all the adult members of both households agree.
(3) The first household and the second household are “linked childcare households” in relation to each other.
(4) The first household and the second household cease to be linked childcare households when neither household includes a child aged 13 or under.
(5) Once the first household and the second household cease to be linked childcare households, neither household may be a linked childcare household with any other household. "

So to me it looks like there will be an exemption that can be used in most cases.
I do wonder though about the situation of having paid childcare come where that childcare provider is not a registered childcare provider."

@munchbunch12 so it doesn’t specify why the childcare is happening, just that it can only be provided by one household... so pub trips are ok? 🤔 weird! Thanks

Its loose so you can make your own judgement based on your own circumstances/level of risk you are happy with. At least that's the way I see it.

I know it's absolutely not the point of your thread, so sorry, but you have unintentionally given me a little silly giggle.

"I guess now tiger 2"

I just got this mental image of a government mandated tier system where level two meant someone from the council came and parked a tiger outside who will growl menacingly at you if you try to leave the house

Again, sorry, don't mean to take the pee or derail.

They can't make it 'paid work only'. That's not the only sort of vital (as opposed to leisure) childcare.

It cant just be for work purposes, hospital/dental/other appointments will all potentially warrant childcare.
Going to the pub - not so much 🙄

@ChocolateCherrybomb 😂😂 it tells you how much my 2 year old likes tigers that my phone seems to autocorrect everything to Tiger 🐅

Thanks channel 4 with the tiger who came to tea last Christmas 😂