Parents feel ‘trapped’ by having to live close to their grandparents to benefit from free childcare, says Zoopla
- An average family receives 468 hours of free childcare per year from grandparents
- 36% who rely on grandparents say they cannot afford further professional childcare
- Zoopla says many families are choosing to live close to their grandparents for support
Families say they feel trapped in a “parent trap” when it comes to where they live, with many needing to be close to their grandparents to get help with childcare, thanks to rising childcare costs.
According to new research from Zoopla, half of parents with children under the age of 13 live within five miles of their nearest grandparent, with seven in 10 living a 30-minute journey away.
A full-time place in a nursery now costs as much as £140 a day – the equivalent of £33,700 a year for one child or £2,800 a month.
Paying for childcare in many parts of Britain can take up more than 50 percent of an annual salary, according to a recent study by AJ Bell.
Monika Seredynska, 37, who lives in Chislehurst, South East London, relies on her daughter’s grandparents for childcare
With childcare costs now higher than the average monthly mortgage for some, according to Zoopla, it appears many adults are relying on their child’s grandparents to help reduce costs.
Zoopla says the average family relies on nine hours of childcare per grandparent, which equates to 468 hours per year.
Since parents estimate they spend $9.90 per hour on childcare – including childcare, babysitting and summer camps, this equates to $4,633.20 in free childcare per year.
Families feel trapped
Zoopla revealed that the downside is that more than half of families who receive childcare benefits from grandparents say they now feel ‘trapped’ when it comes to where they live.
More than a third of parents who have their grandparents’ support say they cannot afford to remain without their grandparents’ support because professional child care would be too expensive.
Many even have to put their aspirations of owning their own home on hold in order to get free childcare.
More than two in five parents who feel trapped would like to move to a bigger home, but prices are not affordable in the area where they have to stay to get the support of their grandparents. A quarter say they would like to move to another area, but can. it’s because they have to stay close to their parents.
Half of British parents with children under 13 live within five miles of their nearest grandparent, and 68 percent live within a 30-minute commute
Some are even prevented from entering the housing market altogether, with almost a third of those receiving support from grandparents saying they would like to buy somewhere but have to rent to stay close to their parents or in-laws. .
While some put their moving ambitions on hold, others consciously choose to live closer to their grandparents after having children.
Nearly two in five parents say they have moved closer to their grandparents since having children, while 11 percent are currently planning to move.
Daniel Copley, consumer expert at Zoopla, said: ‘As a parent I know first-hand how expensive childcare can be and how valuable family support is.
‘Many Britons therefore feel trapped when it comes to where they live, and it is crucial that grandparents are nearby to help.
‘This leaves many in the awkward situation of not being able to afford to buy a home close to their parents, forcing them to rent when they might otherwise be able to get on the housing ladder. Or simply live in an area where they don’t actually want to live.’
