Grandparents

[Laughnaff]

Hi I’m in tier 4 Scotland. I have got to go into work, I have no choice. I’m not an essential worker. I work in retail in a warehouse, which is still dealing with internet orders. They aren’t putting us on furlough at the moment. I do 4 hours per day. But the schools aren’t going back till the 18th at least. Can I use grandparents for childcare? My sister says it’s only keyworkers that can use grandparents for childcare? Which I’m not getting as I have to work too. I’m going to have to take unpaid leave if I can’t use my mum and dad. Help

You can have one childcare bubble doesn't matter if you're a keyworker or not. You can only have one though, and can't socialise with the adults in the bubble, it is purely for childcare.

Oh sorry just realised you're in Scotland. Not sure if they have the same bubbles allowed as England or not

Yes you can. www.parentclub.scot/articles/your-guide-childcare
In fact our local council are encouraging the use of friends and family childcare support (somewhat ironic considering).

Posted too soon. The Gov.Scot official guidance refers you to the Parent Club website. See 'who can access informal childcare in Level 4' for info

Yes you can. I'm in Scotland too and although I'm a keyworker I'm being encouraged to use grandparents rather than the keyworker childcare. I'm using them only as I don't want dd mixing at school then seeing grandparents for wraparound. So definitely ok to use one childcare bubble as long as you don't go in their house.

We're in Wales couldn't manage without grandparents. Which was pointed out to the government's months ago. I wondered if MPs had nannies at the time took a while for the penny to drop

Thank you for your answers. It’s definitely a worrying time for all. xx