Invisible Child Care With Real Costs: Understanding the Costs Associated With Grandparent-Provided Child Care

Older woman reading a colorful book to a young girl with curly hair, both sitting closely together.

Across the nation, more than 24% of children under age 5 receive regular care from a grandparent. These grandparents join the ranks of more than 5 million family, friend and neighbor (FFN) caregivers – the grandparents, aunts, family friends, and neighbors who look after 11.5 million children in home-based settings in the U.S. each year. They power what is the most commonly used form of care in the United States.

While these caregivers are deeply motivated to offer care and delight in the time spent with their grandchildren, they have very real direct and opportunity costs for which they receive no compensation. Creating economic stability and supporting the well-being of caregivers should be a priority for our child care system and we hope to see this caregiving option get more attention and resources.

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A woman in a patterned scrub top reads an open picture book to two children.

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