Coworking with Childcare: Workspace Where Your Kids Are Cared For

Coworking with childcare means you can actually get work done—properly work—while your child is looked after just steps away. No more choosing between career and being present. No more guilt about missing milestones. No more paying for full-time nursery when you only need part-time care.

For working parents, especially freelancers, remote workers, and those returning from parental leave, this solves a problem that traditional childcare doesn't touch.

Why This Matters

Traditional childcare forces a choice most parents don't want to make.

Full-time nursery in London costs over £13,000 a year. You pay for 50 hours a week whether you need them or not. For part-time workers, freelancers, or parents who just need a few focused hours, it's wildly inefficient.

Working from home with a baby sounds flexible until you're on a client call while a toddler screams in the background. Or you're trying to hit a deadline during naptime, praying it lasts longer than 45 minutes.

Coworking with childcare bridges the gap. You get a proper workspace. Your child gets proper care. You're nearby if needed—for breastfeeding, for comfort, for lunch together—but you can actually focus.

Who This Works For

This isn't for everyone. Be honest about whether it fits your situation:

Ideal for:

• Breastfeeding mothers who don't want to pump
• Freelancers and self-employed parents who need flexible hours
• Remote workers who struggle to focus at home
• Parents who want to be nearby during the transition back to work
• Those who need backup care when the nanny calls in sick
• Part-time workers who don't need full-time nursery

Less ideal for:

• Parents with intensive jobs requiring multiple monitors and total silence
• Those who already have home offices set up exactly how they like
• Parents whose children struggle with separation when they're nearby
• Anyone needing full 9-5 coverage five days a week (traditional nursery may be better value)

One parent put it bluntly: "Who wants to work remotely just to go somewhere else?" Fair point. But for parents without a good home office setup, or those who crave adult interaction and community, the trade-off makes sense.

What Parents Actually Want

Based on real feedback from parents who've used these spaces or wished they existed:

Childcare quality comes first

This isn't babysitting with a desk attached. Parents consistently say the childcare must stand on its own merits. Qualified staff, proper ratios, engaging activities. The workspace is a bonus—not a reason to compromise on care.

Flexibility is the whole point

Drop-in options. Part-time passes. No long-term commitments. The ability to book a day or two when you need it, not lock into a monthly contract. This is what differentiates coworking childcare from traditional nursery.

Separation that works

Children shouldn't be able to see their parents working all day—that creates confusion and constant interruption. The best setups have childcare in a separate area, close enough for quick visits but not visible from the workspace.

Proper workspace amenities

Phone booths or private rooms for calls. Decent WiFi. External monitors (many remote workers can't function on a laptop alone). Coffee. The basics that make a coworking space actually usable.

Breastfeeding-friendly

For mothers still nursing, being able to feed directly instead of pumping is transformative. Several parents said this alone would make them sign up.

Community

Working parenthood can be isolating. Being around other parents in the same situation—sharing tips, forming friendships, feeling less alone—is a benefit that surprised many users.

What to Watch Out For

Not every coworking-childcare setup delivers. Questions to ask before signing up:

About the childcare:

• What are the staff qualifications and ratios?
• Is it Ofsted registered (if applicable)?
• What happens if my child is upset—will they just hand them back to me?
• Are there separate spaces for different ages?
• Can my child nap? Where?

About the workspace:

• Are there private spaces for calls and video meetings?
• Is there reliable WiFi and power?
• Can I use an external monitor?
• How noisy is it? Can I actually concentrate?

About the setup:

• Can my child see me while I'm working? (Usually not ideal)
• What are the hours? Is weekend access available?
• What's the cancellation policy?
• Is there a maximum session length?

About pricing:

• What does the fee actually include?
• Are there membership tiers or just drop-in?
• How does it compare to nursery + coworking separately?

One parent shared a nightmare experience where workers would just hand kids back whenever they cried, making it impossible to get through meetings. Make sure you understand how the childcare actually operates before committing.

Coworking with Childcare in London

London has a handful of spaces offering this model, though availability remains limited:

Second Home (London Fields)

Members get priority access to the on-site nursery run by N Family Club. Rooftop play area. Premium pricing but high-quality facilities.

Third Door

One of the pioneers—claims to be the world's first coworking space with full-service childcare. Flexible nursery packages from a few hours to full days.

Cuckooz Nest

Parents can visit the nursery throughout the day. Designed specifically for the freelance and self-employed parent community.

Huckletree West (White City)

"Power Parents" membership includes half-day childcare with changing facilities, soft play, and toys.

These spaces tend toward the premium end. If you're looking for budget options, they're harder to find—the economics of quality childcare plus quality workspace don't easily support low prices.

The Honest Trade-Offs

This model isn't perfect. Parents who've used it report genuine challenges:

It can disrupt routines

Young children thrive on consistency. If you're there some days and not others, some kids struggle with the unpredictability. Daycares function on strict routines—popping in for lunch can mess that up.

You might not get as much done

Being nearby means you're more likely to check in, get pulled into situations, or simply be distracted by proximity. Some parents admit they don't get THE MOST done, but value getting out of the house and being near their child.

It's not cheaper than you'd hope

Quality childcare costs money. Quality workspace costs money. Combining them doesn't magically reduce either cost. Most spaces charge roughly what you'd pay for nursery plus coworking separately—the value is in convenience and flexibility, not savings.

Some kids don't suit it

If your child has significant separation anxiety, being nearby but unavailable can make things worse, not better. Know your child.

Alternatives If You Can't Find One

Dedicated coworking-childcare spaces are still rare. If there isn't one near you:

Nursery near a coworking space

Not the same, but reduces commute time between the two.

Workplace nursery schemes

Some employers offer on-site or subsidised nursery places through salary sacrifice. Worth checking if your company participates.

Nanny share with workspace rotation

Pool resources with other parents—hire a shared nanny and rotate whose home becomes the childcare venue while others work elsewhere.

Part-time nursery + home working

Structure your focused work around nursery days. Accept that other days will be fragmented.

Learn more about coworking spaces

Find Your Workspace with Childcare

We only represent tenants. Our service is 100% free.

If childcare proximity matters to you, tell us. We know which buildings have nurseries nearby, which coworking spaces offer childcare, and which areas give you the best options for both.

You only pay when you sign a lease on a space you want.

[Get Your Free Office Search →]