Technology

Posted on October 14, 2019 by staff

Student childcare platform secures app developer backing

Technology

The investment arm of Manchester-based app developer Apadmi has backed childcare platform studentnannies.com.

Student Nannies, also based in in Manchester, aims to help parents who are looking for flexible childcare solutions, and students who want flexible and fulfilling jobs.

Founder and CEO of Student Nannies, Tracey Blake, said the partnership has helped the firm build its new platform and launch in Manchester with over 300 art, music, language and sports students from surrounding universities and colleges having joined.

With over 350,000 students within Greater Manchester, the firm believes that with 1 per cent of those signed up, they could help with over 3,500 families with their childcare needs.

Blake said that the site can help bridge a childcare gap by creating a ‘student army’ to help parents struggling to find support.

Howard Simms, CEO of Apadmi Ventures, said Blake’s platform solved a very real problem.

“It’s been fantastic to work in partnership with her and the rest of the Student Nannies team,” he said.

“We get a lot of entrepreneurs approach us for investment, but her drive and ambition really stood out to us.

“The USP of this business are the dynamic, brilliant students who the children adore – and with Manchester’s booming tech and wealth of business professionals in need of flexible childcare, it is the perfect city for the next phase of their launch.”

The idea for Student Nannies came about when Blake and her husband hired a local art student to mind their two children and the trio began creating craft projects together.

Blake said she realised students would be perfect for childcare because they are “smart, energetic and available at flexible times.”

“Our network of students can work flexibly to help parents with the challenges of after-school care, babysitting and school holiday cover,” she said.

“By making it easier for parents to hold down demanding jobs we are boosting the economy, and with students currently under increasing financial pressure with rising living costs and university fees – we feel it is a real win-win for both parents and students!”

In September Apadmi appointed 36 new staff and expanded its office in Salford.