Bonjour lecteurs! Being a parent and working as a freelancer or self-employed is not always easy to juggle. Finding the right nursery that works for you and your lifestyle at a sensible price can sometimes be a bit difficile... I know too often women who felt that they had to give up on their career or job because their employers did not give them that flexibility. Does it ring a bell? We attended the launch of the first Fully Flexible Co-Working Space for parents, Cuckooz Nest last month! Read on, it might be parfait for you!
Cuckooz Nest – C’est quoi?
L’idée est simple and it is brand new in the centre of London!
Cuckooz Nest basically lets working parents book office and creche space on a Pay-As-You-Go basis with zero commitment from as little as one hour a day. We visited the facilities and we tell you what, the offices’ space looks cool while the nursery bit offers a lot of space and all the care for your little ones.
And if you are still breastfeeding, you can nip out of the office, get on with your mama duties and get back to work when it is all done!
I love that concept because it is so bad that women are made to quit their job once they become mums!
The co-founders, Charlie and Fabienne experienced it themselves. When Charlie struggled to find affordable and (most importantly!) flexible childcare when returning to work, they decided to create Cuckoos Nest!
And when you know that 1 in 7 freelancers are working mums, you realise how fab this idée is! Plus you can be sure that the staff looking after your little ones is fully qualified. They even have Ofsted!
Cuckooz Nest Launch Party
To celebrate the launch in London last month, the brand organised a little party with a panel event with some fab guest, including the cool Clemmie Telford and Matt Coyne from the Man Versus Baby. (Go and get his book if you have not read it yet! You are in for a good laugh!)
Listening to the panel and the public present, it was clear that the UK needs more of this!
So fascinating (and yet disappointing!) to see that many women struggled to go back to work after their little ones. Childcare being too expensive is one of the most common reasons. But they also raised the point that flexible work should be made easier for parents.
I would love for you to share your story. Did you struggle to return to work after your children? What do you think the government should do to support parents to get back into it without having to pay a fortune for childcare?
Do you think we should get some inspiration from the Scandi countries?
I was lucky with the support I had
Think its so much harder with government strategies – on paper it looks fab – reality is different
It’s a great idea, my granddaughter works part time, if she worked full time all her money would go on childcare. That doesn’t seem right.
I’m lucky to work part time and adjust my rota according to my husband’s.
Great idea this wasn’t heard of My day but would be good for my daughter when I can’t look after my little grandson
such a great idea, wish they had this when mine were little and I was self employed working from home
such a great idea
GREat idea their should be more places like this and for dads too
This is a wonderful idea. I hope it branches out to other parts of the country. Young parents need all the help they can get.
This is a great idea!
It’s not just childcare that’s expensive its just about all aspects of getting to work. Rent to be near work, travel, childcare, bills. It’s a good idea though
What an amazing idea! Definitely something I would have considered had I been in the line of work to allow something like this.
I studied nursing at university and unfortunately there is no such thing for 13 hour night shifts around children!
Would be amazing if their was though. Parents need all the tools and help they can to be working parents because it can be so hard.