Birdhouse

Birdhouse is an early childhood care and education provider operating intimate, home-based "micro-centers" with a maximum capacity of 12 children. The small group size is intended to let teachers deliver individualized care and lesson plans adapted to each child. The Williamsburg site serves children ages 2-5, while a second planned location advertises care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from three months to five years old.

The program is play-based and draws on Reggio-Emilia, Montessori, Conscious Discipline, and Forest School approaches. Stated curricular pillars include conscious educator practice (adult self-regulation modeling emotional regulation for children), holistic health covering physical, sensory, and emotional development, creative expression through arts and music, outdoor and self-directed play, and nature-based activities such as gardening and caring for animals. Centers are described as modern residential homes of roughly 1,700-2,500 square feet with Scandinavian-inspired furnishings, neutral tones, natural light, modular layouts, and a dedicated outdoor yard.

Operations include morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack; at the Williamsburg location meals are catered by Rainbow Kitchen, while the Port Washington page describes meals prepared in-house by staff for an extra fee.

Founding story

Co-founder Matt Sink describes a family background in education - his mother taught for more than 40 years and his father was a professor of childhood development - and years spent working to bring early education to families. Co-founder Sydney Bennett grew up in Port Washington with a mother who was an educator and says years of work in the sector showed her that conventional child care does not fit the schedules of busy families; she describes Birdhouse as an effort to make child care a source of support for parents, children, and teachers.

Business model

Birdhouse operates small, home-based child care centers ("micro-centers") that enroll families directly. Each center caps enrollment at 12 children and is staffed with two full-time teachers plus a part-time assistant. Families can choose 2-, 3-, or 5-day schedules with flexible pick-up and drop-off within 8am-6pm, Monday through Friday. Meals are included or offered for an added fee depending on the location, and parent communication and payment run through an integrated app. The company also runs workshops, parenting classes, and community gatherings led by its lead teacher.

Tuition from enrolled families on 2-, 3-, or 5-day schedules, with meals included at one location and offered for an additional fee at another; payment is handled through the company's app integration.

Traction

The Williamsburg center at 117 Ainslie St is promoted with open enrollment, and a Port Washington location is promoted with a waitlist ahead of a Winter 2025 opening.