Uber has announced the nationwide expansion of its pioneering childcare support scheme, offering more than 100,000 drivers across the UK access to free, flexible childcare through a partnership with on-demand childcare platform Bubble.
The move follows a successful pilot launched in 2023, which provided 1,000 drivers with a total of 10,000 hours of fully funded childcare. Building on that positive response — with 96% of participating drivers saying the support made it easier to work more hours — Uber will now offer 20 hours of free childcare per year to all UK drivers.
The initiative is designed to support working parents, particularly mothers, who often face barriers to earning during peak hours such as evenings and weekends due to childcare responsibilities. By enabling drivers to access trustworthy, flexible childcare through Bubble, Uber hopes to help more parents take advantage of higher-earning fares while also improving work-life balance.
Bubble, the UK’s leading on-demand childcare service, connects families with vetted, local babysitters and nannies, available both in advance and at short notice. Through the Uber partnership, parent drivers can book support that fits around their unpredictable or flexible schedules.
“Receiving childcare support during the pilot really showed me how much easier things can be when the burden is shared,” said Tania Naseer, an Uber driver and single mother of three. “Having access to reliable care means I can drive without distraction, earn more, and still be present for my children. It’s not just about work — it’s about wellbeing, too.”
Uber drivers currently earn an average of £30 an hour when taking trips on the app, with many citing the flexibility as a major benefit. However, childcare responsibilities can limit when and how long parents can work, affecting their earning potential. The company hopes the expanded benefit will also attract more parents — especially women — to the platform, helping address gender imbalance and promote greater workforce participation.
“This is a world first for Uber and a major step forward for flexible work,” said Andrew Brem, Uber UK General Manager. “By extending free childcare to every driver in the UK, we hope to remove one of the biggest obstacles facing working parents and show that flexibility can work hand in hand with meaningful support.”
The announcement comes amid growing concern about the cost and accessibility of childcare in the UK. According to recent data, more than two-thirds of working parents have considered quitting their jobs due to childcare costs, and one in ten mothers have left the workforce entirely.
Ari Last, CEO and co-founder of Bubble, said: “Flexible work requires flexible childcare. With this partnership, Uber is setting a new standard — one that understands the realities of modern parenting and working life. Trusted, quality childcare shouldn’t be a luxury; it’s a necessity. We’re proud to be helping parents get back to work on their terms.”
In addition to childcare support, Uber drivers in the UK now benefit from a range of protections, including holiday pay, pensions, and free sickness and injury cover — part of the company’s broader strategy to improve conditions for flexible workers.
