Making work-life balance easier: Five reasons working parents should book a spot at BubbaDesk
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Not long after Lauren Perrett became a mother, she realised two things: she wanted to keep working but wasn’t ready to be away from her baby.
Floating in the newborn bubble, she – like many parents – figured she would tackle the question of childcare later.
But when the time finally came and she began to navigate the shift back to work while caring for her baby, she found herself asking a simple question: Why isn’t there a better way?
That’s when she conceived her next child: BubbaDesk.
“After a traumatic birth and a challenging return to work with my first baby, I experienced significant postnatal anxiety. The thought of leaving my baby all day made that transition even harder,” explains Lauren.
“In a moment of frustration, I jokingly suggested to my mothers’ group that we should all chip in and hire nannies in a shared workspace – and that’s when the lightbulb moment happened.”
“I realised there was a real gap in the market for a childcare model that allowed parents to work and remain close to their babies.”
Launching BubbaDesk in November 2022 and opening co-working spaces across New South Wales, Lauren recently brought the concept to Canberra – Dickson, to be more precise.
BubbaDesk is redefining the traditional childcare experience, offering spaces where parents don’t have to choose between being present for their baby and building a career they love.
“Canberra has a huge population of highly skilled, career-driven parents working in government, policy, education, tech and professional services – many in flexible or hybrid roles,” says Lauren.
“BubbaDesk fits perfectly into Canberra’s lifestyle and values: flexibility, wellbeing, and family-first thinking.”
Flexibility foremost
Canberra mum and BubbaDesk member Shanae Ryan says that one of the things that makes the service unique is its flexibility. Because it combines a professional co-working space with onsite childcare, parents like Shanae can easily adjust their child’s routine in real-time as their needs arise.
“I came across BubbaDesk on social media some time ago and recently rediscovered it when looking for alternative care options for my son. As a second-time mum of a six-month-old and a toddler, I wanted to find a sense of passion and purpose outside of the home,” she explains.
“It was super exciting to regain an immediate sense of freedom in my week to do things that I was passionate about.”
For Shanae, BubbaDesk provides the perfect balance of care and flexible workspace Lauren envisioned.
“Until now, families were expected to fully separate from their babies to access care, even if they weren’t emotionally ready, or if the baby was still breastfeeding, or just too little to cope,” says Lauren.
“BubbaDesk gives them a third option – not a long daycare and not a nanny, but structured, professional care, with you nearby.”
Parents can book the Canberra space casually, by half-day, or via membership subscription. Open from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday, families can book ad hoc or choose regular days.
“Not every family works the same way – and childcare shouldn’t assume they do,” she explains.
“Many of our members are freelancers, business owners, remote employees, or parents easing back into work. Some weeks require more care, others less. We also allow day swaps and provide make-up days for illness, which reflects the reality of life with young children.”
Allowing her to “achieve things which would not have been possible in the home environment”, Shanae says BubbaDesk gave her space to focus on personal software engineering projects while knowing her son was well cared for.
“I knew that my son was being cared for exceptionally well and being given plenty of opportunities to develop new skills – particularly social skills, by meeting other babies.”
“Not only this, but I was able to network with some incredibly talented mums and nannies and have built connections I never would have otherwise.”
Amenities that support parents and children alike
Helping to support parents who are breastfeeding, managing separation anxiety, or simply not ready for full-day separation, BubbaDesk offers so much more than childcare.
It’s a place to work andit comes complete with onsite nanny services, an on-site F45 gym and a café.
The Dickson location includes hot desks, six private meeting rooms, 27-inch screens, a kitchen and coffee machine, all-day parking close by, a dedicated children’s space, three dark sleep rooms, and easy access to the neighbouring F45 gym.
“The care your child receives is above and beyond, the facilities are very modern and kept beautifully clean, and there is a huge number of high-quality toys and books,” says Shanae.
Engaging children in calm, play-based, educator-led experiences designed to support emotional regulation, secure attachment and early development, Lauren says the curriculum is built around holistic development.
“Activities include sensory play, music, storytelling, movement, and social play in a single-room environment where children feel safe, known, and supported,” she explains.
“My son has come so far developmentally since our first visit, and I have been able to invest in myself in ways I never would have been able to before,” adds Shanae.
Small numbers, big benefits
They say it takes a village to raise a child – but at BubbaDesk, it’s all about small numbers.
Designed for children aged zero to three, BubbaDesk accepts a maximum of 17 children per day, with strict 1:4 educator-to-child ratios.
Combining attachment theory with a play-based, Montessori-inspired curriculum, the all-female education team is over the age of 24 – with many bringing lived parenting experience.
“With no averaging or ‘under the roof’ ratios like traditional daycare and single-room, open-plan design, it’s a model built around transparency, safety, and secure attachment – not convenience or scale,” says Lauren.
She also notes that smaller groups can mean fewer illnesses compared to traditional childcare settings.
It’s tax deductible
You read that right.
According to Lauren one of the biggest financial advantages of BubbaDesk is that 60 per cent of fees can be tax deductible.
With invoices split between coworking (60 per cent) and childcare (40 per cent), many parents can claim the coworking portion as a legitimate work-related expense.
“This isn’t typical with traditional childcare,” says Lauren.
“Under Australian tax law, you generally cannot claim a tax deduction for childcare costs on their own. Childcare is usually considered a private or domestic expense.”
“Because BubbaDesk’s coworking portion is genuinely work‑related, many parents can legitimately claim that portion as a deduction – reducing their after‑tax cost and making the whole setup more affordable.”
While parents should check with their accountant or tax adviser, Lauren says many BubbaDesk members are pleasantly surprised at the tax benefits they can unlock.
Community and confidence
Helping with a gentler separation during the crucial first 1,000 days, BubbaDesk also offers something less tangible: emotional support and the chance to be a part of a community of like-minded individuals.
“I know my son will be much more adjusted to the transition, as he has had plenty of experience being away from me for extended periods of time, and in socialising with new children and carers,” explains Shanae.
“I will be able to focus more fully on getting back into the office work environment, knowing that my son feels safe with the changes around him.”
And as Lauren thought when she first came up with the idea, “This feels like what childcare should be.”
“The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are not just a phase; they lay the groundwork for lifelong wellbeing, resilience, and learning,” she says.
“No parent should have to choose between being present for their baby and building a career they love. Trust your instinct.”
Also recently launching an app – Wombee – to help connect mums and mums-to-be and to battle against the loneliness epidemic they face, this is just the beginning for Lauren when it comes to supporting parents.
Because while BubbaDesk and Wombee might offer different services on the surface – a place to work and a way to make friends – when you dig down, they’re both about one thing: connection.
It turns out Lauren answered her own question. There is a better way.
For more information visit bubbadesk.com/bubbadesk-canberra-act
Images supplied.
