Creche crisis: The pros and cons of asking grandparents to become childminders

Granny and granddad make ideal childminders, especially when colds and sniffles keep your child out of creche. But is it fair to ask them to put their own plans on hold so they can step in when needed?

Picture: iStock 

In August 2017, secondary school art teacher Catriona Brosnan was looking forward to returning to work, having taken maternity leave after the birth of her first child, Fionn. The day before school was due to start, the 40-year-old from Kilmeedy in Co Limerick got a call from her childminder, cancelling their arrangement.

“It was panic stations,” says Catriona.