Grandparents easing childcare cost burdens
Rising childcare costs have led to an increasing number of Australia’s grandparents helping out with family babysitting duties.
The latest census data has shown that more than 200,000 Melbournians alone provide free childcare and around half of those who do it for free are over 55 years of age.
Federal Opposition spokeswoman, Jenny Macklin, said that families were struggling with rising childcare costs and while family and friends were helping out, the demands on them had risen over the past 11 years.
A spokesman for Families Minister Mal Brough claimed that many grandparents and other family members were happy to provide childcare and assist with family responsibilities.
