About 9.8 million grandparents provide childcare, with many parents relying on this largely free resource, Aegon UK said.

Its research found 29% of Brits had plans to work part time for some or all their retirement in order to supplement their income, meaning they would be less likely to be able to look after their grandchildren.
In a separate survey, also released this week, Towry found two-thirds of workers aged 50+ intend to do some form of paid work during retirement.

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Grandparents provided childcare worth up to an estimated £5.1bn over the recent summer holidays, Aegon researchers calculated.
David Macmillan, managing director at Aegon UK, said: "Many parents rely on the generosity of a grandparent to help with childcare and this trend may have a significant impact on the amount parents need to set aside for childcare costs.

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"Another take on this trend would be to look at the increasing financial support older generations are providing to younger generations.
"We may well see grandparents continuing to work not just for their own financial needs but in order to support younger family members with childcare costs, school fees and broader costs such as the ability to get on to the housing ladder."
National childcare costs have risen by 27% over the past five years according to Family and Childcare Trust's annual childcare costs report.
Towry's poll found that 65 per cent intended to do some form of paid work during their retirement – but not necessarily just for financial reasons.
The most popular reason (30%) given by this group for going on working was that they enjoyed it, as opposed to needing the additional income (26%).
A further 24 per cent said that they intended to do paid work simply to fill some of their time.
Also, 26% said they intend to carry out voluntary activities in retirement to help their community or a specific charity.
Towry's head of retirement planning, Andy James, said: "With people living and staying fitter for longer in retirement – in many cases well into their 80s – those who have carefully laid financial plans for their future now have the flexibility to choose whether they continue working during retirement.
"This survey has shown that many who have planned well for their retirement are keen to continue playing some part in the working world, be this in a paid or voluntary role. If you seek financial advice early, you may even be able to realise some lifelong dreams during retirement, pursuing the ultimate vocation that you always desired."