There are almost 1,000 coworking spaces located across the country, but only a handful offer on-site childcare for entrepreneurs with a second title -- Mom or Dad.
Coworking has skyrocketed since the first such office appeared in the U.S. in 2005. Yet, affordable childcare still remains an issue for those seeking better work-life balance.
Whether your "baby" is your business, your offspring or both, these coworking spaces are working hard to help you succeed at home and on the job.
1. NextKids
San Francisco, California
In San Francisco’s Potrero Hill neighborhood lies NextKids, an on-site infant and toddler daycare program complete with nap rooms, a compostable diaper service, organic snacks and educational programming.
The NextKids business model is quickly becoming the gold standard in blending work life and home life. Besides access to the top-notch coworking space, membership includes daycare for two, three or five days per week, which costs $2,400 per month for one year.
2. Brooklyn Explorers Academy
Brooklyn, New York
The Brooklyn Explorers Academy is a daycare center and pre-kindergarten program that happens to offer a coworking option on-site. The private office space can be reserved by the hour for $15, or in a five-day bundle for $215, which includes complimentary childcare. Appointments must be scheduled in advance.
3. Work and Play
South Orange, New Jersey
A photo posted by Work and Play (@workandplaynj) on May 15, 2015 at 4:52am PDT
Since February 2015, 17 members have signed up to use Work and Play’s coworking space with on-site drop-in babysitting.
Not all members use the daycare service, so founder Deborah Engel has found another way to subsidize the cost of daycare -- an event space that can be rented out for children’s birthday parties, as well as programming for kids and adults, such as “caregiver and me” classes.
Full-time members of the coworking space pay $25 for a two-hour babysitting session.
4. Women’s Plaza
Portland, Oregon
Sharing @WomensPlaza with @MayorPDX Hales! Thanks for supporting and fighting for #workingmothers.— Womens Plaza (@WomensPlaza) May 12, 2015
Opening sometime in 2015, the Women’s Plaza will be a coworking space with on-site childcare, as well as networking and empowering opportunities for women. It will also incorporate yoga classes, massages, catered meals and a communal kitchen to the program.
No information is available yet on rates or an official opening date.
5. Collide Coworking
Chicago, Illinois
Founder Nikki Reeks is offering “pop-up” childcare services in existing coworking spaces around Chicago, as she works toward opening up her own combination space on the north side of the city.
She currently offers pop-up daycare at Free Range Office and will soon offer them at CoLab in suburban Evanston. Depending on the site, daycare can cost from $40 to $45 for three hours.
6. The Workaround
Brooklyn, New York
The Workaround is hoping to open a permanent coworking and childcare space in East Williamsburg or Bushwick by the fall. Until then, they are offering pop-up work/play sessions at local child-friendly bars and event spaces such as Videology and the Cobra Club.
A three-hour session costs $40, and there is room for two babies and four toddlers at each session. Its monthly schedule is posted on its website.
7. Upcoming non-profit coworking and childcare space
Seattle, WA
Marnee Chua of Works Progress had plans to add a childcare option to her coworking space called Ellie’s Coworking + Childcare, but decided to take her business idea down another path.
She’s currently pursuing a non-profit coworking and childcare option that will also include mentorship, training and grants for female entrepreneurs. It's expected to open in early 2016. The prices will be based on a sliding scale, and will be comparable to other childcare services in the Seattle area.