I’ve been working from home for nearly 3 years now and I’m very fortunate to have quite a flexible childminder that’s quite adaptable to my schedule and also picks up and drops off and a preschool that’s about a minute’s walk from my house, but I know that this isn’t the norm for a lot of parents who work from home/for themselves and that there is a need for more modern work and childcare arrangements that encapsulate the flexible needs of professional parents.
Sometimes you don’t need your child to go to childcare for an entire day – you just need enough time for a meeting, or a morning or afternoon, but most childcare expect some level of schedule and even guarantees of fees and time.
Cue Third Door an office and Ofsted regulated playspace in Wandsworth, south London. The concept, like a lot of products and services designed for parents was born of the founder Shazia’s frustration with not being able to think straight at a session with her friend where they were brainstorming business ideas while the kids ran amok. It occurred to her that she’d love a flexible space where she could get a few productive hours of work done while the children were in childcare.
With the help of her husband Yusuf, Shazia’s realised her vision and we had the pleasure of spending a day there several weeks back. It’s a fabulous, airy space that looks like a trendy converted warehouse and you feel instantly relaxed when you arrive. The nursery staff are welcoming and on the ball and the playspace itself is packed full of lots of stuff to do for children from 3 months to 8 years.
Upstairs is the communal workspace so there is a clear distinction between the two spaces which no doubt helps parents to focus. A conference room and breakout area for zones that are ideal if you need to meet with other parents in a similar working situation to you for a meeting. Worried about taking a call and talking too loudly or having everyone all up in your business? No need as there’s telephone boxes for you to step into for privacy plus there are two small offices as well for shutting off from the open plan office environment. There is of course speedy Wifi, a printer, photocopier plus a kitchen area where you can help yourself to tea and coffee plus there’s a fridge and microwave.
I didn’t get a chance to speak with members that were there but you can imagine if you were going regularly you’d probably end up making a few contacts so it’s a networking opportunity too.
Who is Third Door ideal for? Well aside from being suited to parents in or near Wandsworth, Third Door is ideal for parents who don’t need consistent childcare throughout the month and want flexibility and/or who have limited working/meeting space at home.
Like a telecoms company, which incidentally is Shazia’s background, there is a pay monthly and pay as you go option. Each require a one-off membership fee (£50-£125) and then the monthly rate is based on numbers of hours (30-90) and is £65-£85 a day or for pay as you go you can pay per hour (£15-£20) for an office and playspace or just for a playspace only.
Obvious downside is the fact that there is only one at the moment although I do understand that there are plans to open more around the country (hurry up) and the fact that it’s flexible does add a premium to the rates although it’s all relative to the area – everyone we know outside London and the south east has a coronary when they hear how much childcare is although childcare full stop is pricey! To compare, I pay about £40/£44 per day so on the monthly option certainly, having a workspace too, for say £65 would be super handy…if it were closer to home. Also if you imagine yourself in a situation where the difference between being productive and/or having the children in a few hours of childcare at a vital time is basically not getting the business, growing your business, or meeting a deadline, Third Door looks increasingly attractive.
We thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I went when our childminder was on holiday and Third Door gave me back my sanity for a few hours and allowed me to think straight for more than a few seconds without getting distracted and I loved going down to peek at the kids – Nia in particular had them charmed with her feisty antics. I love the concept and so many friends asked me about the Third Door experience that it’s clear that more flexible working spaces are needed in the UK – Third Door are certainly leading the way!
Find out more info about Third Door.
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