A sold-out pop-up in Brimscombe has given Stroud parents a first taste of a new way to combine work and childcare, with professional babysitters looking after children in a crèche close to their parents’ workspace.
All Work, No Childcare held the event at The Sanctuary, Brimscombe Mill, on Tuesday, October 6. Parents were given three hours to focus on work while their children were cared for nearby by the team from ELF Sitters.
For attendees, the session was about more than catching up with tasks. The organisers said it gave some parents the chance to reconnect with their professional identities and meet others facing similar difficulties.
Parents rate first event five out of five
All eight people who completed feedback rated the pop-up five out of five. Seven said they had completed either “loads” or “some” work, while parents gave their comfort with leaving their children in the crèche an average score of 4.4 out of five.
Parents particularly valued being able to see or hear their children from their desks. All eight respondents selected that as a factor that helped them feel comfortable. Seven also highlighted the ratio of adults to children, and five said meeting the childcare team before settling their child was important.
One attendee said they felt comfortable leaving their child with the ELF Sitters team, adding that the child had enjoyed the experience. Another parent said having their baby nearby made it easier to take part because it was the first time the child had been away from them and with unfamiliar people.
“I regained a sense of self. Not just mum! I’ve been more productive in three hours than I have in the last four months,” said attendee Dominique.
Rose said the venue had been transformed into a workspace and crèche, with friendly and reassuring nannies. She described being able to leave her baby somewhere while remaining close enough to go to him as a useful way to experience how the model could work.
Another attendee called the idea fantastic and said they hoped it would be supported. Laura said she had been able to work with her daughter sleeping on her without feeling judged, even though the child had chosen to nap rather than play.
Research points to demand in the Stroud district
The event followed a community research report published by All Work, No Childcare in the spring. The survey covered 100 parents across the Stroud district.
It found that 85% rated their interest in a local coworking space with on-site childcare at four or five out of five, while 98% said they would use one at least occasionally.
Flexible, hourly childcare was the feature most valued by respondents, cited by 79%. Being able to work close to their child was selected by 64%. A lack of childcare was among the three biggest working challenges for 62% of respondents, while 60% cited the cost of childcare.
The article also referenced wider research from flexible workspace provider Work.Life, which found that 37% of working parents had changed jobs in search of greater flexibility. Its research said 93% relied on some form of childcare and 30% had reduced their working hours because of childcare costs.
More pop-ups planned
Founder Hollie Bennyworth said the first event had moved the project closer to its ambition of creating a coworking space with on-site childcare for parents, freelancers, artists, mature students, remote workers and small business owners.
“The success of this pop-up brings us one step closer to building a coworking space with onsite childcare for parents, freelancers, artists, mature students, remote workers and small business owners,” she said.
Further pop-ups are planned for parents, including possible events offering artist studio space, fitness classes and work solutions during school holidays. Bennyworth is also asking venues interested in hosting events to make contact.
The project is inviting local parents, childcare practitioners and potential partners, including landlords, employers and funders, to become involved as it develops.
The first event received support from Rebecca Benneyworth & Co, Whitaker Seager, The Food Gallery, David Conlon Coaching, Stroud Motherhood Collective, Rise Reformer Stroud and Wisetails.
Parents can find future pop-up events and sign up for updates at allworknochildcare.com. The project is also on Instagram as @allworknochildcare.
