Coworking space meets childcare as BubbaDesk moves into St Leonards

Australian paid parental leave covers between 18 and 20 weeks.

Yet for many parents and carers this isn’t enough time with their child or they aren’t mentally prepared to return to work, not to mention the potential loss of income and stagnation in career progression.

Lauren Perrett is one of many parents who was experiencing this after the birth of her son. When her parental leave was exhausted, she “wasn’t ready to go back to work mentally or logistically.” Needing to return to work, she also found herself stuck on childcare waiting lists.

“You have to be putting them on wait lists pretty much when they are conceived. You are on about 20 waitlists and you don’t even get a choice at the end of the day, you get whatever you can take.”

Facing the prospect of 200 children competing for 12 spots, Lauren opted to hire a nanny. But that was a solution that still didn’t fit right with costs and suitability a big issue.

At her mothers group, she found many others had the same issue. When Lauren suggested they all chip in for a nanny she had what she described as a light bulb moment.

Three months later, BubbaDesk was born. BubbaDesk is a coworking space with onsite childcare which un- like conventional childcare or nanny options, allows you to be close to your child “because they are just next door.”

Lauren explains that for some parents “they are just not ready to be away from their child all day, which is what day care is. You drop them off, then you leave no matter how much your maternal instinct is telling you that you shouldn’t do that, it’s what society expects you to do.”

Another reason for needing to stay close to newborns is their breast feeding requirements.

Lauren highlighted the fact the World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding until 12 months, far in excess of the up to six months possible in Australia with paid leave.

“I, for one, was feeling guilty that I wasn’t performing the same way prior to my baby in my role and because I was trying to do my role well, I wasn’t performing as a I should be as a parent. There’s that balance of trying to do it all, and do it all well,” she told the Sun. Lauren believes BubbaDesk helps strike that balance and perform well in both worlds.

St Leonards Location

After success with a centre on the Central Coast, BubbaDesk is now about to open up a second site at 92 Chandos Street Naremburn, in the St Leonards

CBD.

“St Leonards gives us the opportunity to have a great sized space. We’ve got an entire building over two floors which we need to cater for the interest that we have had.”

She felt places like North Sydney by contrast only offered office type settings while Neutral Bay and Mosman didn’t have to scale BubbaDesk needs. The location is ideal as there is relatively good parking, especially for people arriving with prams. The public transport options are also seen as an advantage for easy accessibility to the site.

Lauren says they have been overwhelmed by the response. Without any advertising, they already have over 140 pre registrations.

The St Leonards site is due to open in June with 32 desks, 4 private meeting rooms, an on-site gym and showers. Aside from the shared office space there will be a separate floor for children with black out rooms for sleeping with 4-1 carer to child ratio.

BubbaDesk will host an open day on June 3rd with details at www.bubbadesk.com.

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