London duo set up first pay-as-you-go creche for freelance parents

A co-working space says it will be the first to set up a pay-as-you-go creche for busy tech entrepreneur parents.

Cuckooz Nest was founded by Charlie Rosier, who had struggled to find childcare to fit around her schedule when she went back to work after having her first child.

The firm offers a maximum of 20 hours a week to members using its new Islington offices, with fees ranging from £14.50 to £23 per hour.

Mrs Rosier, who created the business with friend Fabienne O’Neill, said they want parents who work freelance to be able to get their work done “with no judgment and the potential for collaboration”.

The firm claims to be the first in London to offer such a service, after securing planning permission to transform their building, next door to the Coach pub in Ray Street, Clerkenwell. The co-working space has 36 desks and its creche can host 21 children, who will be cared for by registered childminders vetted by agency Manny & Me.

The creche, set to open during standard working hours, has been designed to feel like an extension of home, with features including a “snug” story-time corner, a sleeping area and an interactive craft wall.

There will be a ratio of three children to one childminder when the venue opens in spring.

Mrs Rosier, 34, said: “With UK childcare currently equating to roughly a third of the average household income, the cost of childcare has become a major issue and is keeping parents out of work.

“London has the worst maternal employment rate in the UK — if we improved this to meet the UK average, 80,000 more mothers could be in work if they want to be.”