Grandparents to hire - Is there a need ?

[Handrews22]

We have one granddaughter and another one due in August and our daughter asks us to help out in part of the school holidays, this started me thinking about other new parents needing help.
We would like to hire ourselves out as active grandparents to help others but not sure what agencies would be suitable
What would you suggest ?

That would be nannying!

Or if you were doing it in your own home, childminding.

I qualified as a nursery nurse approx 30 years ago but wondered if there was more of a role as grandparents

If you mean it in a voluntary capacity then Surestart are always looking for volunteers :)

Here’s a link with more info www.home-start.org.uk/why-volunteer

Thank you for the link
I was looking more as a paid role

You would need to register as a childminder if in your own home or be employed as a nanny if in the child’s home.

I would be interested if anyone felt there is a need for this service ?

There is always a need for childminders. I don't know how much interest you would get by advertising yourselves as grandparents for hire though. My kids don't have grandparents but it doesn't mean I want to hire one.

I am not sure how you hire a grandparent .
My son has no grandparents in his life but to hire them would make them temporary.

Just calling yourselves grandparents for hire doesn’t negate your legal obligation to register.

Yes if you wanted to do it in your own home you'd have to register as a childminder, it's a legal requirement.

If you wanted to nanny in other peoples homes though, you don't have to be registered anywhere, technically.

Personally I don't really think the grandparent aspect would attract many people because it's a little creepy (IMO). However I imagine there will be some people out there who would value your life experience.

A lot has changed in the last 30 years so maybe you could do an updated child development course? One that focuses around the EYFS.

Good luck

Thank you Thursnc I really appreciate your constructive feedback
I agree it could come across as a little creepy but you have got the idea that we can help give different life experiences

To be fair, I do see where you are coming from - I've met lots of grandparents at the baby groups I attend and I've often thought how lovely it is that they look after their grandchildren and help out. My mum doesn't drive and my in laws are abroad so I don't have that myself and I do like your idea in principle. Sadly, in this day and age it probably wouldn't work in practice and you'd basically be, as others has said, a childminder or many service, albeit you may be able to use the grandparent idea as a unique selling point.

I'm really interested by this. I have 2 DC but don't have any family that can or want to help with childcare. From time to time I need to be able to go away and so really need a proxy-parent type - someone that can do the school runs/club/dinner/bedtime etc. My children are primary age so they have some independence about themselves - they don't need dressing, can get their own breakfast, etc. Its not frequent enough to require a full-time nanny but obviously more than a childminder. I have mentioned my needs to other parents at school but seem to draw a blank. I even said I need to 'rent a granny!!'. Obviously I wouldn't limit it to just a grandparent but flexibility is required.

Having been through a hellish 2 years after leaving a controlling relationship I really want to get my life back on track and I'm getting there albeit slowly. This is an area in my life that is such a challenge. Is anyone in the same position or have any suggestions?

Missi57 ..............some childminders do overnight care its worth looking locally. Obviously they do the other things mentioned possible exception the clubs but once a month isn't much to miss....its also in their home not yours.

So babysitters but old? Please don't be offended but nobody hires grandparents. Either you are family or you are help. I would suggest registering as a child minder /baby sitter etc. And just boring your granny experience in your profile. Many people would like an older nanny/childminder for their child for various v reasons. But calling it grandparents for house seems a bit disingenuous.

My church is full of grandparents emeritus, due to their grandchildren being further away or vice versa.

There is definitely a need, but maybe not in a paid way

That would fall to the category of being a nanny or a babysitter.

Can parents in their 30s by extension start up something as "parents for hire"? Uhhm hang on just a sec....: they do.... and call themselves Childminder's and nannies. Not parents for hire. They go through the appropriate training and verification needed in order to be left alone with peoples kids. The day they have kids of their own and all the life experience of parenting does not take away the need for that.

So how is it any different here?

Exactly. outoftheway, you're right.