A government report says there is growing demand to support grandparents who help out with childcare.
That could include the right to take two weeks off work when a grandchild is born.
The U.K.'s Children's Minister Beverley Hughes is launching the proposals in the House of Commons today. They could become Labour pledges for the next election.
The Rethinking Family Life report said people become grandparents at an average age of 49, while still working.
They look after grandchildren in a quarter of families every week, providing childcare worth pounds 3.9billion.
A YouGov poll of 2,270 adults found nearly half of parents -- 44 percent -- said they were relying more on their own parents to look after children because of the credit crunch.
Nearly two-thirds -- 61 percent -- said grandparents should get state payment for providing childcare.
Sam Smethers, of Grandparents Plus, said: "It's time to recognize the contribution grandparents make."
Ms. Hughes said: "We are committed to doing more to support childcare providers, including grandparents."
