Member Experience – Courtney, Central Coast

I’m Courtney, Founder and Principal Solicitor at Her Lawyer, a virtual law firm for women in business, and Easy Legal Templates, an online templates store for women in small and microbusiness. I’m also a single mother of 2 living on the Central Coast. 

1. Before you found BubbaDesk, what did you imagine returning to work with a young child would look like? What were you most worried about or unsure of?

I started at BubbaDesk Erina in October 2025 when my son was 2 months old. I needed to return to work and after my mum had a fall breaking her hip and shoulder, my childcare plans vanished overnight. I contacted the daycare centre my eldest attended and they told me their next available was February 2027! All daycare centres near me were the same. On top of that, I was breastfeeding and was sad to think our breastfeeding journey was coming to an end so soon. I was delighted to find a BubbaDesk so close to me with flexible membership options that suited my work, budget and my family’s hectic schedule.

2. Can you describe a typical day at BubbaDesk for you and your child? What does that rhythm actually feel like, compared to how you thought it would be?

At the moment I’m doing 4 half days a week. So I drop my eldest at school and bub and head to BubbaDesk. He heads in for a nap while I go into work (lots of virtual meetings!). I pop in to feed him when he wakes up, then the nannies give him his lunch and we head off after lunch time. It’s quite structured which helps me stay calm and organised.

3. Many parents talk about the emotional side of returning to work. How did having your child nearby change that experience for you — if at all?

I didn’t find returning to work hard emotionally this time at all, thanks to BubbaDesk. I get to see my baby multiple times during my working day and I can watch him on the cameras, send a message to the childminding team for a update or just pop in to the kids space for a cuddle  at any time.

4. What difference did the flexibility make (part-days, moving days week to week, not being locked into a rigid schedule)? Was that a “nice to have” or something that genuinely changed how workable it felt?

One of the best bits about BubbaDesk is the flexibility. I regularly change my schedule around and nothing is ever a problem. The team are lovely, responsive and genuinely keen to help. This makes it a sustainable long-term arrangement for me.

5. People often assume productivity and proximity don’t mix. How did being close to your child affect your focus, confidence or ability to get work done?

I feel able to focus completely on my work while I’m at BubbaDesk, because I know I can check on bub at any time and that the childminding team are steps away if I’m needed. It’s so reassuring which means that I can put all of my mental energy on my work while I’m here.

6. Was there a moment where you thought, “This is why this works”? A small moment that made the model click for you?

Booking the breastfeeding room for a nap after several consecutive sleepless nights! Just one of many times it’s clicked for me. I genuinely love this arrangement.

7. Safety and trust are huge factors for parents. How did being onsite and involved shape your sense of comfort and trust compared to other care options you’d considered or used?

The transparency of BubbaDesk childcare is unparalleled. I have no doubt in my mind about what’s doing on in the kids space at all times – a world away from daycare centres.

8. If someone asked you, “How is this different from traditional daycare?” what would you say is the biggest difference that doesn’t show up on a brochure?

The sense of support. BubbaDesk are truly supportive of families, not just children. They want parents to be happy and fulfilled, just as much as the little ones.

9. Thinking about parents who are on the fence, who do you think BubbaDesk works best for — and why? (And just as importantly, who might it not be for?)

If you’re breastfeeding and don’t like pumping – it’s a no brainer. There’s no better option out there. If you’re worried about putting your baby in daycare and having them lost in a sea of kids, the ratios here are ideal for you. Definitely less exposure to germs if you can’t afford time off with daycare bugs!

10. Looking ahead, do you think models like this — where work and care are designed to sit closer together — should play a bigger role in how Australia supports working parents? Why or why not?

Absolutely. The only thing that would make this better would be if it was eligible for CCS and therefore more accessible.