Research: 75% of Parents Seek Co-working Childcare
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.”