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Grandparents: A Critical Child Care Safety Net

NACCRRA's most recent report, Grandparents: A Critical Child Care Safety Net compiles the results of a nationwide survey of grandparents about child care. Through the survey, NACCRRA sought to gain a better understanding of grandparents' involvement in the care of their grandchildren and their individual perceptions and beliefs regarding child care and found that nearly 60 percent of grandparents are either providing care for their grandchildren or have in the past. Not only are they providing regular child care, but they are providing, back up care, sick care, before and after school care, as well as summer care.

Additionally, the survey found that grandparents believe affordable child care is a necessity, not a choice. They overwhelmingly support public policies that will both strengthen the quality of child care and make it more affordable for working families.

The survey shows that grandparents know how important child care is - both for children and their early childhood development and for parents, who need a safe place where their children can learn while they work or attend school. Efforts to engage parents in advocating for stronger child care policies should also include grandparents, who are natural advocates for their grandchildren and who strongly support strengthening child care policy.

Download the press release, full report, and other supporting materials:

• Press Release (80 KB)
• Grandparents: A Critical Child Care Safety Net (Full Report - Online version)
• Grandparents: A Critical Child Care Safety Net (Full Report - PDF version) (413 KB)
• Grandparents: A Critical Child Care Safety Net (Executive Summary) (253 KB)
• About NACCRRA
• NACCRRA FAQ (73 KB)