Children looked after by grandparents more badly behaved

Young children looked after by their grandparents are more likely to have behavioural problems than those who go to day nurseries and crèches, says a new study.

Young children looked after by their grandparents are more likely to have behavioural problems than those who go to day nurseries and crèches, says a new study.

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Researcher Kirstine Hansen revealed that kids, however, picked up better vocabularies under their grandparents.

Experts at University of London had examined 4,800 members of the Millennium Cohort, a huge lot of babies to study their development in terms of emotions and education, and found that children under formal care did better.

“In the past grandparents have had a bad press but this study shows that in terms of cognitive skills and vocabulary children cared for by grandparents do best,” the Scotsman quoted Hansen as saying.

"However children in formal care are more ready for school. They do better in readiness for school tests than children in any other type of care, including those with childminders or nannies.

"What was surprising was the finding that children who are cared for by grandparents are more likely to have behavioural problems," she added.