Maggie

Maggie was created to support parents—whether they’re juggling busy schedules, feeling overwhelmed, or simply seeking enriching options for their children. Amid Australia’s childcare crisis, with long waitlists and limited flexibility, finding accessible care or activities can be daunting. Maggie responds by offering a centralised platform to discover free parks and community activities, easing decision fatigue and supporting mental wellbeing. For time-poor or struggling parents especially, Maggie offers a simple, supportive tool. It also addresses inefficiencies in the system: childcare centres currently have no streamlined way to fill unexpected vacancies. Maggie aims to unify these needs in one accessible place.

Maggie was created by two passionate mums who understood firsthand the daily pressures of parenting—and what tools they wished existed. Their lived experience shaped every aspect of the app’s development: from a brand that feels warm and non-judgmental to an interface designed for one-handed, sleep-deprived scrolling. Prioritising usability, the app allows parents to find relevant parks or activities within a few taps, with filters to suit different ages and needs. Rather than adding more admin, Maggie reduces friction in decision-making. Its thoughtful design and playful tone offer not just practical support, but small, joyful moments along the way.

Maggie delivers immediate and long-term social value by reducing parental stress and improving wellbeing. As Australia faces a mounting childcare crisis and rising mental health challenges among caregivers, Maggie offers free, accessible support—connecting families to local parks, events, and flexible childcare options. It also helps childcare centres reduce vacancy rates, indirectly easing strain on the system. Designed for maximum reach and equity, Maggie is scalable across diverse communities. Its impact lies in enabling micro-moments of relief and joy, fostering connection, and giving time back to parents—one decision, one interaction, one less thing to worry about.

What sets Maggie apart is its vision for long-term impact. Future updates will allow childcare centres to list last-minute vacancies, letting parents secure discounted, flexible care when they need it most—while also helping centres fill unused places due to illness or cancellations. This addresses two major issues at once: the rising cost and inaccessibility of childcare, and inefficiencies in a strained system.