The Bar Council, the national representative body for barristers in England & Wales, has just launched its second nursery partnership, this time in Leeds, to help barrister parents with childcare. 

After the success of its first Bar Nursery in London, the Bar Council is now offering special rates to barristers in Leeds and surrounding areas for childcare at The Bar Nursery at Tiny Tree Day Nursery, located close to central Leeds with parking and extensive outside facilities. Under the partnership, discounted childcare rates are available for all members of the Bar and staff working with barristers in their chambers - 10% off all standard fees, 5% off the weekly full time rate and a 10% sibling discount. 

The nursery provides flexible full-time and part-time childcare packages between 7.30am and 6pm with the ability to extend to 7pm on request at a discounted rate to accommodate parents who may have to work late. Tiny Tree Day Nursery also offers an out of school club for school age children to accommodate child care needs throughout the year.  

Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, Chairman of the Bar,said: "The nature of a barrister's career means that they work often unpredictable hours, are expected in court at short notice, or have to take a long break from their careers in order to be able to manage childcare. Most barristers are self-employed, which can make balancing childcare with your work challenging. Becoming a parent should not be a bar to a career as a barrister. The Bar Nursery is just one way the Bar Council is trying to make life easier for those practising barristers who are parents. 

"The first Bar Nursery at Smithfield House, London has proved successful. It makes sense to now extend this initiative to other parts of the country where there is demand for it." 

The nursery and out of school holiday club at Tiny Tree Day Nursery provides: 

  • Spaces available for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years as well as a holiday club for school age children 
  • Standard hours 07:30 to 18:00 with extended hours until 19:00 available on request at a discounted rate 
  • Special rates available for members of the Bar and chambers' staff
  • Close to central Leeds with parking and extensive outside facilities, and
  • Experienced operators with two other nurseries, both rated by Ofsted as "Outstanding" in all areas. 

The nursery has been specifically designed to incorporate the needs of the children, providing different learning and play areas for each age group as well as outside facilities.  

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Notes to editors

  1. Statistics on the ethnicity and gender of those appointed to Queen's Council are available from the Ministry of Justice  here.
  2. Further information is available from the Bar Council Press Office on 020 7222 2525 and [email protected].
  3. The Bar Council represents barristers in England and Wales. It promotes: 
  • The Bar's high quality specialist advocacy and advisory services
  • Fair access to justice for all
  • The highest standards of ethics, equality and diversity across the profession, and
  • The development of business opportunities for barristers at home and abroad.

The General Council of the Bar is the Approved Regulator of the Bar of England and Wales. It discharges its regulatory functions through the independent Bar Standards Board.