My daughter wants me to look after my grandchild, just like any loving grandmother would. However, despite being an Ofsted-registered childminder, I am unable to receive funding to care for my own grandchild. This is because Ofsted's current regulations prevent registered childminders from receiving financial support when looking after their own grandchildren, even though another registered childminder—a complete stranger to my grandchild—could receive the funding.

This policy seems inherently unfair and causes unnecessary distress and challenges for families like mine. It creates a situation where children are placed with people they are unfamiliar with, rather than in the care of someone who loves them deeply and whom they already know and trust. This regulation discourages family cohesion and the natural support systems that family members provide.

Childminders who are registered and approved by Ofsted have already demonstrated their competence in providing safe and nurturing environments for children. So why should it matter if the child is their grandchild? Changing this policy would help support families, allow grandchildren to be looked after by their loving grandparents, and create a more family-friendly childcare system.

Statistics from the Family and Childcare Trust show that families in the UK spend roughly 30% of their income on childcare, and this burden could be significantly alleviated if grandparents who are already Ofsted-registered could care for their grandchildren with the same financial support allocated to other carers. Allowing this change could contribute to a healthier work-life balance for parents and well-being for children.

We urge Ofsted and the relevant authorities to reconsider this policy and permit registered childminders to receive funding for caring for their grandchildren. Let's make childcare more accessible, loving, and supportive for families. Please sign this petition to support a change that benefits every loving caregiver and their precious grandchild. To people who think im out to take money from my child to look after my granchild, that is not why I am doing this. Plus its funding from the Government that can help my family all round. Thanks for taking the time to look. I hope this will help all regestered  childminder's to help with there families too.