If you live in Williamsburg or Greenpoint, you already know that finding quality child care is a nightmare. Some parents I know have to schlep their kids to Manhattan daily because the options here are so limited. And even if you do find a great spot, good luck getting in. There’s the application, the interview, the never-ending waitlist—it’s probably easier to get into the CIA. Trust me, I would know. There’s a certain Forest School (you know the one) that I emailed five times last year, only to be completely ghosted. But I digress.
If you’re currently on the hunt for quality child care, I have good news: A brand-new option is opening in Williamsburg on March 31st. It’s called birdhouse, and it just might be a game-changer.
I sat down with Sydney Bennett, a founder of birdhouse, and Chazz Lewis, their Head of Education, to learn more. You might already know Chazz (aka Mr. Chazz on social)—he has nearly a million followers on Instagram and over 1.5 million across platforms!
What sets Birdhouse apart from other child care establishments?
We’re really a completely new kind of child care and early learning center, built for the way families actually live. We transform single-family homes into beautiful, intimate learning environments where children grow through play, exploration, and meaningful connection. Our home-based model allows us to attract the best of the best early educators. Walking into our center, you’ll see that learning isn’t just structured—it’s felt. It’s in the way we greet each other in the morning, in the songs we sing together, in the way a child’s hands press into the earth during outdoor play. It happens in belonging and in community.
Do the children get outdoor time? If so, where?
Yes! Our center has a private backyard where children engage with nature daily, rain or shine. Outdoor time is an opportunity to develop key life skills like nurturing and caretaking. Whether tending to plants, observing insects, or working together to build outdoor structures.
One of the reasons we were drawn to the home-based model is the ability to customize and extend learning beyond a single day. Unlike traditional centers where projects must be cleaned up and reset, our backyard allows children to build upon their work over time, deepening their understanding and creativity.
We also believe it’s essential for children to be immersed in the sounds and rhythms of their local community – listening to birds, feeling the wind, and noticing the daily patterns of their neighborhood.
Is there natural light in the space?
Yes, our space is loft-style, designed with large windows at both the front and back, ensuring abundant natural light throughout the center.
What are the teachers’ qualifications and your approach to education?
Our teachers come from all kinds of backgrounds—some have run their own child care programs, others have trained in Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Waldorf, or Forest School. Our program is inspired by Reggio-Emilia, promoting cognitive and physical development, and Conscious Discipline, promoting Social Emotional Learning. Mr. Chazz, is a nationally recognized educator and one of the few early childhood leaders in NY that is deeply trained in Conscious Discipline (CD), which is all about helping kids learn the foundations to learning : emotional regulation, communication, and problem-solving!
We take an active role in balancing learning with life skills. Kids should leave each day not just knowing their letters and numbers, but also how to express their feelings, navigate friendships, and feel confident in who they are!!
Are there accommodations for special needs?
Yes! While we take this on a case-by-case basis, our guiding belief is that learning differences aren’t disruptions—they’re opportunities to build a more compassionate, inclusive community. Our small-group model allows us to be more flexible in how we support children, and as birdhouse grows, we see an opportunity to create spaces designed for specific cohorts of needs.
As the older sister of an autistic sibling, I saw firsthand how traditional education failed to meet her needs. I didn’t understand why school couldn’t be a place where she felt seen and supported. At birdhouse, we’re building the kind of learning environment I wish she had; where support isn’t an afterthought, but a natural part of how we care for one another.
Will parents receive updates (photos/videos) throughout the day?
Yes, we DEEPLY believe in the power of a symbiotic relationship between parents and teachers. Through the Playground app, we provide real-time updates, photos, and videos, ensuring transparency and enabling/encouraging parents to extend classroom learnings into the home environment.
What’s the daily schedule like?
Our daily rhythm is designed to feel flexible and open-ended, with some structure. Each month, we focus on one of Conscious Discipline’s 12 essential skills—things like empathy, composure, or problem-solving—infusing that theme into our interactions, activities, and classroom rituals.
- Morning Greeting Ritual: We have a special morning ritual to welcome kids into the space (like a high-five, a dance, or a greeting of their choice) to foster a felt sense of safety, connection, and belonging.
- Circle Time: Group activities such as music, storytelling, idea sharing, or baby-doll circle time. This builds self-awareness, listening skills, and turn-taking, while also introducing literacy and early math concepts (like counting, patterns, and sequencing).
- Exploration and Open Ended Play: Child-led, project-based learning that changes depending on the day and interests of the child. They might be designing structures with loose parts materials, mixing colors in an art experiment, or engaging in imaginative play
- Outdoor Play: Time in our private backyard, where children strengthen their motor skills, engage in nature-based learning, and develop spatial awareness. We incorporate counting, measuring, and observation into outdoor exploration
- Family-Style Meals: Mealtime is a learning moment, too. We sit together, serve one another, and talk about our day, reinforcing social skills, practical life skills, and early math concepts. Our meals are provided by Rainbow Kitchen, a local catering company specializing in fresh, nutritious meals tailored for early childhood.
- Quiet Time: Providing rest or nap periods for those who need it, ensuring individual needs are met.
- Innovative Learning: Loose parts, hands-on projects, and open-ended exploration encourage children to design, experiment, and create.
- Reunion Ritual – We close our day with a moment of reflection and connection.
What types of lessons and activities do you offer?
We believe play is a child’s first language and the most effective way to learn both life and academic skills. Our classroom activities include songs, creative projects, exploration through ongoing projects, puppet shows, imaginative play, and family-style meals where children are encouraged to serve, help clean up, and enjoy the ritual together.
What ages do you accept?
We welcome children aged 2 to 5 years.. Our mixed-age classroom model offers numerous benefits, including enhanced social skills, leadership development, and individualized learning experiences. Younger children learn from observing and interacting with older peers, while older children reinforce their knowledge by mentoring younger classmates. We ensure a layered curriculum to support the varying developmental needs.
What are the hours of operation?
We operate Monday to Friday, from 8 AM to 6 PM.
What safety measures are in place?
Our small and intimate facility is designed with child safety in mind, and our teachers are trained in first aid and emergency protocols.
Do you provide meals and snacks?
Yes, we provide morning snacks, a nutritious lunch, and afternoon snacks, all prepared by Rainbow Kitchens with fresh, wholesome ingredients.
How can families enroll or learn more?
Families interested in enrolling can visit our website at flybirdhouse.com or contact us directly at [email protected]. ENROLLMENT IS OPEN FOR THE FOLLOWING:
April, May, and June: Monthly sessions—families can sign up for one month or multiple.
Summer (July & August): A separate summer session, perfect for continuity or trying birdhouse before the school year.
Fall (September): The start of our new enrollment year for families looking for a full-year experience.
How much does birdhouse cost?
We offer 2, 3, and 5-day care options depending on the session, with monthly rates ranging from $2,070 to $3,450, inclusive of meals (two snacks and one lunch).
If I were you, I’d act fast. Run, don’t walk to learn more because birdhouse is only accepting 12 spots, and they’re going to fill up fast. Quality child care in Williamsburg is already scarce, and with an approach this thoughtful, it’s no surprise there’s so much buzz around birdhouse. Whether you’re looking for a nurturing space that feels like an extension of home or a program that prioritizes social-emotional growth alongside academics, this is an opportunity worth exploring. Visit flybirdhouse.com or email [email protected] to schedule a tour before it’s too late!
