The San Francisco Chronicle profiled a new Coworking facility in Menlo Park that offers both short term office space and professional childcare. Coworking, a cafe-like community/collaboration space for developers, writers and independents, has been a growing phenomenon but this may be the first place to offer such a kid friendly environment.
“For new moms getting their toes back into the workforce, this is an innovative solution,” said Patty Siegel, executive director of the California Child Care Resource & Referral Network, a statewide nonprofit group.
Today, Cubes and Crayons’ front section holds five small offices, a conference room, a photocopier room and a kitchen with an espresso machine and snacks. The back area – separated by a small child-safety gate – is filled with a nap room, a lunch/art room and a large colorful play space filled with blocks, picture books, Duplo, a play kitchen and other toys.
Cubes & Crayons so far has about 25 members who sign up for a certain number of hours of work and child care each week, plus other users who drop in when space is available. Most are parents who use both the child care and the work space, but some are people who simply need quiet work space on an occasional basis.
I love the collaborative and cooperative nature of coworking and adding childcare seems like a natural fit. I can’t wait to see a cohousing community or other urban community integrate coworking into their site and offer shared work and living arrangements side-by-side. Seems like adding a childcare co-op would maximize the synergy as both coworkers and cohousers could share in the service. Some day…
Read the article about kids and coworking in the SF Chronicle.
Charlesetta Stimac
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