Top 10 Childcare and Coworking Spaces in 2024
The best coworking spaces for parents around the world
July 19, 2024
Blog
Coworking and childcare are a natural combination.
Both aim to support individuals to be their best selves. Both are essential spaces for the people who use them. And both do a tremendous job of serving their community.
In part one of our childcare and coworking series, we explored the childcare and coworking business model as well as key considerations for operators looking to open their own facility.
In part two of this series, we’re taking a look at some of the top childcare and coworking spaces around the world.
These inspiring facilities are shaping the way we think about the integrated childcare and coworking model by bringing together world class coworking facilities and high-quality childcare in a variety of cities, spaces, and models.
Hear their stories, admire their spaces, and see for yourself what makes these coworking spaces adored by their communities.
Big and Tiny
NYC and LA | @bigandtinyspace
Big and Tiny is a trendy childcare facility with a deeply enriching and artistically creative curriculum. They offer coworking in conjunction with childcare services at their locations including conference rooms, meeting rooms, and a host of amenities.
Big and Tiny has made a name for themselves due to their inquiry-based learning philosophy, exquisite play and coworking spaces, and their emphasis on art and play in childhood development – not to mention, their beautifully designed spaces.
Brooklearn
Brooklyn, NY | @brooklearnbrooklyn
Brooklearn is transforming the way parents work in New York City. They are NYC’s first combined coworking and childcare space with a facility designed with children in mind – complete with tumbling mats, climbing walls, and an inviting foam pit perfect for free play.
“The concept for Brooklearn originated from my own challenges at home with my young kids, managing my work while keeping them active, simultaneously,” says founder John Lehman. “I come from a world of more traditional structured child enrichment so I knew how critical that service was.”
They offer a variety of flexible membership plans that are tailored to fit the needs of parents and children alike. Parents are well-equipped in a state-of-the-art coworking space with printers, high-speed WiFi and soundproof phone booths. Their children are safe to play, explore, and live their best lives in a fun, kid-forward environment.
“I figured the two concepts would be combined eventually in today's "hybrid everything" world, why not be first to market! I can't take credit for the name, a very smart and creative friend thought of it and offered it to me!”
BubbaDesk
Australia | @bubbadesk
BubbaDesk is Australia’s first and leading coworking facility offering onsite childcare. The space was inspired by Founder and CEO Lauren Perrett’s experience going back to work after having her first child. It felt unnatural for her to be so far away from her baby during the day – so she created a space where she didn’t have to be.
Now with six locations across Australia, BubbaDesk is serving the needs of their community in more ways than one by offering experienced nannies, quiet places to work, and most importantly, peace of mind for new parents who prove you really can have it all.
Fandory Factory
San Diego, CA | @fandoryfactorycoworkingplay
Fandory Factory is a community-forward coworking space offering kids enrichment classes, summer camps, weekend family gatherings, and more. On Monday and Wednesday mornings, parents can drop their children off to play in a spacious and whimsical indoor playground while they get some work done on-site.
“Fandory Factory has come out of a necessity of being able to do my work while at the same time being close to my child,” says Founder Mirela Sabanovic-Lewis. “I looked around San Diego and didn’t find any place like that. So, me and my sister Aldisa, decided to create such a place.”
Their membership plans serve both parents that want heads-down time away from their children, and those who want to be a bit more hands-on. What really sets Fandory Factory apart however is the commitment to community – the space is run with their members in mind, and this is reflected in everything that they do.
“As for the advice for other operators looking to start coworking with child care, I would say after the initial substantial investment into the equipment and space (either renting or buying) be prepared to spend a lot of time and effort on educating people on the concept. Also, different ages require different care so that's an important part of the puzzle to put in place.”
MOMentum self identifies as a “village of support for busy parents”, and they live up to their name. Founded by working moms, they’ve built their offerings around the needs of the people they serve, adapting in the face of natural disasters and the ever-changing world we live in.
“MOMentum has provided Coworking with Childcare, early/aftercare and summer camp for almost 5 years. We are unique in that our programs are specifically tailored to the needs of the community and are offered in community space (2 local churches),” explains Mary Beth Thomas, Founder and Owner at MOMentum.
Their approach to childcare is unique in that they provide services to the community in community spaces off-site. While untraditional, they’ve proven that you can find success with many different kinds of coworking and childcare integration models, so long as you put the needs of the community first.
“Our programs walk with families from infancy through the teen years, with a focus on play, friendship, nature, hobbies, and parent support.”
OneSpace is a warm and cozy family-friendly coworking space offering drop-in childcare five days a week. They aim to make life a little bit easier for families and entrepreneurs by bringing childcare and work facilities under one roof.
The homey space houses both the childcare and coworking facilities under one roof so parents are never far away from their children. They also offer drop-in fitness classes complimentary for members, as well as ongoing events specifically designed to enrich and support the lives of busy parents in the community.
“OneSpace has taught us a huge amount about the critical role that community plays in the coworking and childcare model,” says the OneSpace Management Team.
“Beyond providing a physical space, success in this industry is intertwined with the understanding that working parents need a sense of belonging, validation, and understanding in their home away from home; the space, the staff, and the people in it must be authentic, and must be driven by the desire to improve the lives of others.”
“Our challenges often present in the form of logistics: childcare licensing regulations, zoning requirements, and flexible software options that make both the coworking component and childcare component accessible and easy to navigate.”
Pillar Cowork is a beautifully designed coworking space offering on-site childcare in northern California. Their childcare curriculum is play-based and their space includes a number of amenities perfect for parents and kids including nap space, nursing pods, and child-centred events and performers.
They offer a variety of flexible membership options to best serve the needs of their community, a must-have for any coworking space looking to offer childcare. Their full-time care serves parents during working hours from Monday to Friday, making Pillar a one-stop shop for busy working parents.
"Pillar's unique workspace offerings enhance productivity and work-life balance for our members by providing essential amenities, including high-quality onsite childcare for working parents. We are dedicated to supporting our members across all areas of their personal and professional lives."
Phase Family Center operates coworking, childcare, and events in a single 62,500 square foot facility. They serve children in their community from 6 weeks to 12 years of age with preschool, after school care, summer camps, and more.
Their coworking space and licensed childcare facility operate under two separate brands. However, their proximity to one another makes it an incredibly appealing choice for working parents. Learn more about Phase Family Center and The Commons at Phase in our childcare and coworking article.
“Our mission is to be a place where the community can "gather with friends and shape the future". We feel that combining a high-quality learning center with space for work creates a unique opportunity for people to connect, encourage, and support each other.”
Produckidvity
Kelowna, BC | @produckidvity
With three locations across Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, Produckidvity is making a big impact in their little community. Here they offer after school and summer camps and early years learning programs along with office space rentals for parents onsite.
As a mission-driven organization, their team is passionate about creating environments where both children and parents can thrive. This includes being a living wage employer, offering extended childcare hours, and a comprehensive take-home meal program for busy parents to have a local, handmade meal at the end of the day.
Two Birds
Washington DC and Northern Virginia | @twobirds
Two Birds is a premium coworking and childcare experience with two locations in the DC/VA area. Started by two parents, this space aims to “reimagine the childcare experience.” They offer all-inclusive membership plans complete with meals, diapers, blankets, and work spaces for parents.
Their thoughtful member perks include professional photos, weekend classes for the whole family, handmade blankets, and a handmade doll gifted to your child to welcome them to the community.
Automate your coworking + childcare space with Optix
Make tech one less thing you have to worry about in your business. Optix coworking automation software can help you automate bookings, member communications, purchases, and more all from a beautifully designed and easy-to-use platform.
Built with the flexible needs of niche coworking spaces in mind, Optix is unique in its ability to fit a variety of business models, including coworking and childcare spaces.
Just ask Elizabeth from OneSpace or Stacie from Phase Family Center, both Optix clients thriving with coworking and childcare business models.
