should grandparents etc who mind children get paid?

[helsi]

My mum has minded dd for 2 full days a week for the past 2 years. It has saved me hundreds of pounds that I would have paid to a childminder and mum still puts as much effort into looking after dd - they go on outings, mum feeds her, changes her plays with her etc etc for no recompense at all. I buy her flowers etc as a thank you but I feel that they should be recognised as proper carers in the governments eyes - what does anyone else think?

My parents have my 3-2 evenings a week, after school and in the holidays 4 mornings and 2 afternoons. It makes it possible for me to work without too much stress. They are 70 and semi-retired, dh and I both work and have more money-why would I not pay them? I would feel incredibly guilty not doing so.
Not referring to grants etc although seems daft that you can get a grant to pay a complete stranger but not a trusted family member esp as most parents would perhaps be retired and hence topping up the pension. Just answering those who cant understand why you would pay them.
My mum also does my housework and ironing and I pay her for this too.