The organisation said there is very little Wales-specific research on the role of grandparents. It cited research by Oxford University last year which found that one in three families across the UK depend on grandparents for childcare and that in some circumstances they become full-time carers for their grandchildren.
Lucy Akhar, parenting development officer at Children in Wales, said, 'We know very little about the extent of grandparents' participation in supporting families in Wales and we need to find out more, because it has great implications for policies being developed to support families. Grandparenting is a largely positive role that needs to be investigated and supported.'
All grandparents in Wales are being urged to complete the questionnaire, which is designed to provide a general profile of how they participate in their children's lives and how they contribute to their grandchildren's support practically, financially and emotionally.
Welcoming the survey, Sam Smethers, chief executive of Grandparents Plus, said, 'We desperately need more data on the contribution that Welsh grandparents make, caring for children and supporting families.
'We are particularly keen to find out more about grandparents as they may not be receiving the support and help that they need.
'Our own research shows that grandparents are playing a significant and growing role in family life, particularly when parents are under pressure. We hope there is a good response to this survey.'
Further information
Visit www.childreninwales.org.uk and follow the link to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/grandparentssurvey