The role of grandparents in early education and care in the 21st century: a thematic literature review of the UK research landscape

In recent years there has been increased interest in undertaking research about grandparents in different contexts and across a variety of academic disciplines. Although the role of grandparents as pivotal figures is often recognised, these roles are frequently taken for granted in the field of early childhood education and care. There is little mention of the vital roles that they may play in partnerships between families and early years settings or schools. This paper presents a literature review on grandparent roles in the 21st century in the UK. Four EBSCO education and child development databases, set keywords, and clear inclusion/exclusion criteria were used. Forty-one peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2023 were selected and a qualitative thematic analysis undertaken, which identified three main themes: 1) intergenerational learning; 2) social and cultural influences; and 3) support for families. Findings highlight the significant and multifaceted place of grandparents as supporters and mediators of culture within contemporary families, education and care settings, and different ecosystems inhabited by the grandchildren. By exploring various ways in which grandparents contribute to family functioning, this review offers important insights for educare professionals, including nannies and childminders, as well as for policymakers, about the possibility of establishing synergistic partnerships with grandparents.