Back

3 in 4 parents want co-working childcare, new research reveals

BubbaDesk

 

MEDIA RELEASE
26 June 2025

New survey highlights soaring demand for co-working childcare
BubbaDesk announces new sites and partnerships to meet growing demand

New research reveals overwhelming demand for childcare close to where parents work, with nearly three in four parents interested in co-working childcare – even if they haven’t yet used it. BubbaDesk, Australia’s pioneering co-working space with onsite childcare, is expanding to meet this growing need, announcing new locations and partnerships as part of its national roll-out.  

According to the survey, more than half of parents say they already gain – or would gain – over two hours of extra quality time daily by cutting daycare commutes, while nearly 70 per cent expect to be present for key developmental moments by working nearby. “The survey clearly shows how much working parents value being close to their children during the workday,” says Lauren Perrett, Founder of BubbaDesk. “It’s a game-changer for working families, helping parents to be present for what matters most without sacrificing their careers.”  

Building on this momentum, BubbaDesk is accelerating its national rollout with five new locations set to open by the end of 2025, supported by a strategic partnership with one of Australia’s largest banks to offer its coworking and onsite childcare as a key employee benefit.   

“Our new locations will bring BubbaDesk’s unique model to more communities, offering parents the freedom to work nearby while staying close to their children,” says Perrett. “This expansion, along with new corporate partnerships, reflects the growing momentum behind flexible, family-first workplace solutions – and we’re proud to be leading the charge.”

Coming soon: BubbaDesk’s new locations
BubbaDesk’s expansion includes five new sites:
•    Summer Hill, Sydney’s Inner West: flagship location (September)
•    Dickson, Canberra: Continuing partnership with WOTSO (September)
•    Pyrmont, Sydney: Continuing partnership with WOTSO (October)
•    Liverpool, Sydney: Continuing partnership with WOTSO (Q4)
•    North Strathfield, Sydney: Continuing partnership with WOTSO (Q4)

Each location follows BubbaDesk’s proven model, featuring separate spaces for parents and children, blackout sleep rooms, play areas, and a dedicated team of qualified nannies. Parents enjoy hot desks, private meeting rooms and, in some cases, on-site gym access.

Current BubbaDesk locations:
•    Erina, Central Coast
•    Wollongong
•    Caringbah, The Shire
•    Neutral Bay in partnership with WOTSO

Major bank backs BubbaDesk’s drive to support working parents
BubbaDesk’s corporate momentum began last year when Canva became the first Australian company to offer BubbaDesk as an employee benefit. Now, one of the country’s big four banks is the latest major employer to back BubbaDesk’s mission, joining a growing list of leading Australian organisations investing in family-focused workplace solutions that make a real difference. With a workforce of around 48,000 people - most of them based in Australia - this partnership signals a strong commitment to supporting working parents at scale. The partnership gives employees at the bank access to discounted BubbaDesk memberships, making it easier for working parents to return to the office without sacrificing quality or proximity of childcare.

“It’s a powerful endorsement of our vision to reshape how workplaces support working parents,” says Perrett. “Together, we’re delivering practical, high-impact benefits that not only retain talent but truly reflect the realities of modern parenting.”

Building on this momentum, BubbaDesk has also been adopted as an employee benefit by one of Australia’s top three companies – a leading national retail group that employs over 180,000 people across Australia and New Zealand. This move signals a strong endorsement of BubbaDesk’s model from a major employer at the forefront of Australia’s workforce. By offering access to proximity-based childcare as part of its employee benefits program, the company is helping working parents transition back to the workplace with greater support, flexibility, and confidence.

Strengthening families in the first 1000 days
To further support families, BubbaDesk’s model embraces the importance of close physical proximity between parent and child during the early years. This approach supports secure attachment by allowing parents to remain nearby, easing separation anxiety and enabling more responsive caregiving. “By staying close during the critical first 1000 days, we’re supporting the emotional security and connection that underpin long-term mental and emotional wellbeing,” says Perrett.

This philosophy is grounded in well-established public health research. As the Australian Government National Preventive Health Strategy 2021–2030 affirms, “Early experiences shape brain development and are influenced by the nurturing relationships a child has with their caregivers. Responsive caregiving, where a child’s needs are met with warmth and consistency, is a protective factor for health and wellbeing.” In line with this, the Strategy also notes, “Supportive early environments and secure attachments during the first 1000 days are critical for children’s development, particularly their cognitive, emotional, and physical health.”

“Parents, especially mothers, deserve more than a binary choice between career and caregiving,” says Perrett. "At BubbaDesk, we believe proximity-based childcare isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. When parents work near their babies, secure attachment is strengthened, stress is reduced, and breastfeeding can continue. These are the foundations of early life. We need to rethink how we support families in Australia - this model should exist in every city and suburb, backed by government policy as an investment in public health."

-ENDS-

Real stories from the BubbaDesk community
The true impact of BubbaDesk is best expressed through the voices of those who use it. Clare Stephens, writer, editor, podcaster and former editor-in-chief of Mamamia, shares how BubbaDesk’s unique coworking and onsite childcare model is transforming her work-life balance, easing the return to work, and supporting her wellbeing.

“As a freelancer, BubbaDesk is a two-in-one solution. It allows me to work in a high-quality co-working space with my daughter in childcare on-site, which means I can visit her throughout the day and be involved in play, feeding and sleeping. Emotionally, being able to see her intermittently during the workday is a gift and means I overall get to spend more time with her by cutting out drop-offs and pick-ups. Matilda loves her BubbaDesk days, and for me, they're productive, efficient and energising,” Clare explains.

“More broadly, BubbaDesk has had huge mental health benefits for me as a parent returning to work. It cuts out the 'guilt' and all-or-nothing approach to returning to work that have traditionally been barriers for women. For employers, the concept of BubbaDesk supports caregivers returning to work more easily and confidently. I have no doubt that BubbaDesk would have positive outcomes for preventing burnout in parents returning to work and offering a lifestyle that ensures longevity in their role.”

 

 

 

Key Facts:

• Nearly 3 in 4 parents are interested in co-working childcare close to where they work — even if they’ve never used it.

• Parents say cutting daycare commutes delivers over two extra hours of quality family time daily.

• BubbaDesk, Australia’s first co-working space with onsite childcare, is expanding to five new locations across NSW and ACT by the end of 2025.

• A big four bank and one of Australia’s top national retailers have signed on to offer BubbaDesk as a key employee benefit.

• BubbaDesk’s model supports families during the critical first 1000 days, helping parents stay close to their children and easing the transition back to work.

• Founder and entrepreneur Lauren Perrett has raised $2 million to date to grow BubbaDesk, a female-led startup reshaping how workplaces support parents.

About us:

About BubbaDesk - https://bubbadesk.com/
BubbaDesk was founded in 2022 by Lauren Perrett, a mother of two, who deeply understands the daily juggling between work and parenting. In early 2025, Lauren successfully raised nearly $1 million in a funding round, totalling $2 million to date – an impressive achievement for a female-led startup in Australia.

Each BubbaDesk site blends nurturing, high-quality childcare with professional grade coworking spaces. The result is a revolutionary “one-stop” hub that enhances family life, productivity, and overall wellbeing. By the end of this year, BubbaDesk will operate nine locations across NSW and ACT, having served more than 1200 Australian families to date.

 

What sets BubbaDesk apart:

·         Portion of fees is tax-deductible 

·         Suitable for 0 – 3 years

·         We stick to your baby’s routine

·         4:1 care ratio

·         Same regular team members

·         Focus 100% on the care of the children (no daily paperwork)

·         Certified Team, with WWC and First Aid

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bubbadesk/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurentopazphillips/ 

 

 

Contact details:

Jenny Westdorp

Pivotal Communication

T: 0413 334 425

E: [email protected]