Could a Granny Annexe Solve your Summer Childcare Challenge?

The hidden heroes of the summer holidays

For many working parents, the summer holidays simply wouldn’t function in the same way without the support of grandparents.

Recent research from life insurance agency SunLife found that:

• 43% of grandparents provide childcare during school holidays and inset days
• 68% provide before- and after-school care during term time
• Their support saves families an estimated £7.7 billion during the six-week summer holiday alone
• Across the year, grandparents are estimated to save UK families around £96 billion in equivalent childcare costs

What’s more, grandparents who provide holiday childcare are giving up an average of 18 hours each week to support their families – the equivalent of almost three working days.

For many households, this support is essential.

Without grandparents helping with school runs, holiday childcare, meals and after-school supervision, many parents would face difficult choices around working hours and childcare affordability.

Grandparents are being relied upon more than ever

The role grandparents play in modern family life is continuing to grow.

SunLife’s research also found that the number of grandparents providing childcare during school holidays increased from 37% to 43% in a 12-month period, highlighting how families are increasingly turning to grandparents for support.

Perhaps most tellingly, one-in-five grandparents say their children would struggle financially without their help.

These figures reflect a wider trend across the UK. Childcare costs remain a significant expense for many households, and grandparents are often stepping in to bridge the gap. But while the financial benefits are important, childcare support is only one part of the story.

For many grandparents, being involved means having the opportunity to spend more time with their grandchildren, share experiences together and play an active role in their growth and development.

As grandparents become increasingly important to family life, many families are looking for ways to stay closer together without sacrificing anyone’s independence. For those who want the convenience of having grandparents nearby while maintaining separate living spaces, a self-contained garden annexe can provide the perfect solution.

It’s about more than saving money

While the financial value of grandparents’ support is remarkable, the real benefits often can’t be measured in pounds and pence.

Ask most families what they value most, and they’ll often point to the relationships that develop when children spend regular time with grandparents.

The summer holidays create opportunities for:

• Shared experiences and family traditions
• Learning life skills from older generations
• Increased emotional support and stability
• Stronger family bonds
• Greater confidence and wellbeing for children

But it’s not just a one-way street, for grandparents, the benefits are equally meaningful.

Being actively involved in grandchildren’s lives provides regular social interaction, a greater sense of purpose, and the opportunity to watch children grow and develop first-hand rather than hearing about milestones after they’ve happened.

Despite the time they dedicate, research shows that the majority of grandparents are more than happy to help if it means spending more time with their grandchildren.

For many families, a granny annexe makes these everyday interactions easier by allowing grandparents to remain closely involved in family life while enjoying the privacy and independence of their own space.

Why more families are choosing annexes

One of the biggest barriers to spending more time together is distance.

When grandparents live several miles away, school pickups, emergency childcare and spontaneous visits can become difficult to coordinate. Valuable family time often requires planning weeks in advance.

At the same time, few families want to compromise by living under one roof. This is where an annexe offers the best of both worlds.

A purpose-built annexe allows grandparents to:

• Live close to children and grandchildren
• Maintain their own privacy and independence
• Enjoy a self-contained home with their own front door and access
• Be available to help when needed
• Spend more quality time with family without feeling they’re imposing

For parents, it creates peace of mind knowing trusted family support is only a few steps away. For grandparents, it offers all the multigenerational benefits of being close to family while still enjoying the comfort and autonomy of having their own space.

Why annexes are ideal for multigenerational living

As families look for more flexible ways to live, multigenerational living continues to grow in popularity.

An annexe creates a living arrangement that works for everyone.

During the summer holidays, grandparents can be on hand to help with childcare, family activities and day-to-day support. During term time, an annexe can assist with school runs, after-school care and family routines which include sports and hobbies.

Unlike sharing a single property, an annexe provides clear boundaries and personal space for every generation, creating a balance between togetherness and independence.

What begins as a practical solution often develops into something far more valuable – stronger family relationships and more opportunities to share everyday moments together.

As family circumstances change, the annexe can continue to adapt, whether that’s supporting ageing relatives, accommodating changing care needs, or simply providing a welcoming space for loved ones to stay close.

Creating more family moments

The greatest benefit of having grandparents nearby is often the simplest… More time together.

When grandparents live just a few steps from the main house, family interactions become part of everyday life rather than occasional events.

Children can pop over after school, grandparents can join family meals, and parents can enjoy the reassurance that support is close at hand when life becomes busy.

Living nearby means grandparents are more likely to be there for:

• First days at school
• Sports days and school performances
• Homework help
• Weekend activities
• Summer adventures

These are the moments that strengthen family bonds and create memories that last a lifetime.

Why choose iHus for your family annexe?

At iHus, we’ve spent decades helping families create homes that strengthen family relationships while protecting independence.

Our annexe turnkey service includes:

• Free consultation and site survey
• Bespoke annexe design
• Planning support
• Complete project management
• High-quality fixtures and finishes
• 10-year build structure guarantee

Whether you’re looking to bring grandparents closer to help with childcare, future-proof your family living arrangements, or simply create more opportunities for quality family time, we’re here to help.

Start your multigenerational living journey with iHus

This summer, thousands of grandparents across the UK will once again step in to help families navigate the school holidays.

Their contribution saves parents billions of pounds in childcare costs, but the real value lies in something far more important – keeping families connected.

A garden annexe makes it possible for grandparents to play an active role in family life, enjoy more time with their grandchildren, and remain independent at the same time.

Who wouldn’t want that?

Request your free brochure or book a consultation today to discover how an iHus annexe can bring your family closer together.