News + Ideas

The launch of any project is always exciting. Helping a client’s vision and passion come to life is, after all, what MGAC is all about. In the case of the grand opening of Two Birds, licensed childcare that also offers co-working space, it’s especially gratifying as the company sets out to create a community that supports and nurtures strong families, education, and relationships.

Two Birds is the brainchild of co-founders Kelsey Lents and JP Coakley who developed the concept while attending Georgetown Business School and becoming new parents. The timing of Two Birds coincided with DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s initiatives to make childcare costs more affordable and plentiful. Lents and Coakley secured a $330,000 grant from the city to build Two Birds, which also accepts childcare subsidiary vouchers from low-income families.

Two Birds seamlessly blends co-working and childcare spaces, while also operating independently. The childcare space accommodates 72 infants and toddlers and 42 pre-K children. Members can pay for co-working services or licensed childcare, or both.

Conveniently located near the Tenleytown-AU Metro station in Northwest DC, Two Birds shares the same building as Bloom Ob-Gyn and Sport & Health Gym, where Two Birds members receive a 20% discount – and, the free-for-all DC residents Wilson Aquatic Center, Whole Foods, Fort Reno Park, and public library are all within easy walking distance.

On the childcare front, members, babies, and children enjoy flexible options for full-time care, part-time, mornings only, or afternoons only. Infant, toddler, and pre-K classrooms, licensed caregivers, a Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum (experiential, child and relationship-centered), community play space, and summer camp options provide flexibility, security, and peace of mind. Perhaps best of all, parents and caregivers can visit their children anytime.

On the co-working side, Two Birds members can expect flexible, full-equipped spaces with perks like shared or dedicated desks, an open pantry and coffee bar, conference room, private telephone rooms, private pump room and nursing lounge (alongside other nursing moms), as well as parenting and baby enrichment classes.

Two Birds’ nursing lounge is especially unique space – with comfortable seating, laptop tables, and dimmable lights for those that want to relax. Additional space to pump and/or nurse is available right outside the classroom area. The space is equipped with the latest technology. Members can even sign in and out of the space via their mobile device or tablet.

On the project management side, securing building permits for Two Birds was a challenge, as the DC market is inundated with permit requests and delays often ensure. The construction team was under the gun to get the doors open as customers were already lined up – ready to have their childcare and workspace needs met! Thanks to a heroic team effort, the space opened on-time.

As Two Birds looks to open a second location to serve more families, Kelsey, JP, and the design team are taking the lessons learned in the complex world of childcare regulations and licensing and putting them to use to ensure an even more efficient and successful launch of all the locations to come.