Mother-of-two Jade Jackson gets by with a little help from her mum.
Her mother, Diane Smith, is one of a growing number of grandparents helping with child care.
When Ms Jackson is at work, her mother drops off the grandchildren at Home Road Kindergarten.
The kinder has reported seeing more grandparents and friends drop off and collect the children, signalling a rise in informal child care combined with formal methods.
Ms Jackson, who attended the same kinder in the ’80s, said her mother’s help allowed her to stay in the workforce without compromising her children’s early education.
“My mum does the drop off and the pick-up, and we’re hugely grateful to her and lucky to have that as an option,” she said.
“Juggling work and childcare is a part of modern parenthood, and it was great that the grandparents could step in because what’s really important to me is that my kids have access to quality early education.
“A combination of informal and formal day care really works for us; the kids are making new friends, learning so much, and keeping grandma on her toes.”
Home Road educational leader, Liz Dullard, said for the first time in the kinder’s 50-year history there were more working parents enrolling their children.
“We are seeing more and more children being picked up and dropped off by grandparents, friends, au pairs; it’s not just mums and dads anymore,” she said.
“The family dynamic has changed but parents still want to send their children to a local kinder because of what’s on offer – an opportunity to learn and thrive in an educational setting that is small and play-based, and run by a community of educators, parents and guardians all working together to advocate for the best quality of care and education.”
The kinder is hosting an open day on Sunday, April 17 from 10am-12pm. No bookings required. Enquiries, 9391 2958.
