In fact, almost 1 in 4 children under age 5 is cared for on a regular basis by a grandparent. While grandparents are more than willing to help — and enjoy spending time with young ones — the child care arrangements can come with some challenges.
Resources for Professionals
The Grand Plan Survey Executive Summary
What is on the hearts and in the minds of the thousands of grandparents who regularly provide child care to their grandchildren? To find out, ZERO TO THREE conducted a national survey to better understand how grandparents perceive their caregiver role as well as the perks and challenges that come with keeping watch over their beloved grandkids.
Our thanks goes to our partners at the Bezos Family Foundation and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation for their support of this project.
Explore key findings from the landmark “Grand Plan” survey.
- Download executive summary PDF
By the Numbers: Survey Results at a Glance
Get a quick look at key survey findings in this new infographic — from who’s watching the grandkids to the benefits and challenges of grandparenting.
The Grand Plan Webinar
Listen to an online presentation of results from ZERO TO THREE’s survey of 1,000 grandparents who provide child care.
How to Connect with Grandparent Caregivers
Get tips on how to partner with grandparents to support them in their caregiving role.
Partner Toolkit for The Grand Plan Survey
Find everything you need to spread the word and raise awareness about grandparents as child care providers: Twitter and blog posts, newsletter blurb, and daily grandparenting tips.
Resources for Families
Tips for Sharing the Care
Grandparents and adult children often must navigate some tricky terrain when they find themselves co-parenting young ones. Learn what parents and grandparents should talk about before sharing the care.
- Download tips as PDF
The Grandparent Guide: What’s New? What’s the Same?
For grandparents providing care for young grandchildren, here’s a guide to what’s new and what has stayed the same—from sleeping to mealtimes to setting limits—when it comes to caring for babies and toddlers.
If You Only Knew: A Tool for Grandparent Caregivers:
Provides a way to think about “sharing the care” across generations and guidance for dialogue about the shared tasks of caregiving.
