Bank of Scotland: Surge in cost of childcare in Scotland as parents turn to family to plug gaps

The survey, which saw YouGov poll more than 3,000 people across Scotland, found that parents are now spending an average of £276 on childcare each month, or £3,312 over the course of a year. This is up from £216 a month (or £2,592 annually) in 2016.

To lessen the impact of rising childcare costs, parents appear to be turning to older family members for more support.

Over half of grandparents (53 per cent) say they are providing ad hoc or regular care for their grandchildren. They are now spending an average of 9.3 hours each week with their grandchildren, an increase from 8.0 hours in 2016. The proportion providing 20 or more hours of care each week up has also risen from 9 per cent to 15 per cent over the same period.

It may come as a surprise to some that 6 per cent of parents say they are asking their children’s great-grandparents to provide regular childcare.

Ricky Diggings, director, Bank of Scotland, said: “The cost of childcare can be a major financial burden for parents, particularly during times when their kids are on holiday.

“While most grandparents are more than happy to help out and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren, the financial benefit this also provides to families should not be underestimated.

“Lower income households that don’t have savings to fall back on could find the summer months a more difficult time if they can’t call on friends or family for support.”

Three-quarters (74 per cent) of grandparents say they regularly buy treats for the kids, while 29 per cent say they regularly cover the cost of specific items.
But their generosity also extends beyond the short-term, with a quarter (25 per cent) saying they are saving towards grandchildren’s future.

With the summer in full swing, there is good news for little ones with almost half of grandparents (46 per cent) saying they regularly or occasionally take their grandchildren on holiday.

Once the holidays are over, many grandparents will be straight back into the action with three in 10 (29 per cent) regularly doing drop-offs and pick-ups from nursery or school.