Coworking space offers solutions for working parents

As far as she knows, Amy Braden's coworking space, Plug & Play, is one of a handful in the U.S. that includes child care services for working parents.

The idea came to her while she was attempting to work from home and her son woke up from a nap early while she was on an international conference call. Braden discovered there was no coworking space that also had flexible child care for infants. Coworking spaces are facilities where members pay a monthly fee to access work spaces, conference rooms and smaller meeting spaces.

Braden opened Plug & Play in June in the Anderson Arbor Shopping Center.

"We expect it to take off," she said. "With working from home, the novelty wears off. You can be isolated."

Braden has already made a few changes to Plug & Play based on client feedback. She did not anticipate having so many babies in child care, so she reorganized the child care area to handle more infants younger than 10 months. She said she also implemented the FLEX Preschool program, which engages children in learning and crafts rather than having them just play and be entertained.

"We have embraced that we are an hourly preschool and not hourly child care," she said. "Kids are getting something out of it."

Monthly rates start at $35, and with child care included, rates start at about $200 per month. Braden has about 65 active members with anywhere from 22–28 children in the center throughout the day.

"One of my goals [for 2013] is to accentuate the work side. You don't need to have a kid to work here," she said.

• 13343 N. US 183, Ste. 200
• 512-258-7584
• www.plugandplayaustin.com