Moppets will open Dec. 16 in West Hartford as the first drop-in childcare facility in Greater Hartford, and will offer a partnership with West Hartford Coworking.

By Ronni Newton

A first-of-its-kind facility in West Hartford will not only offer parents a flexible childcare option in a licensed facility, and is also offering a unique Work/Play Pass as part of its opening promotion.

Moppets Drop-In Childcare will officially open Monday, Dec. 16, on the campus of the American School for the Deaf at 141 North Main St. in West Hartford, and will offer childcare on an hourly basis. They will also host a sneak peek/parent’s night out on Saturday, Dec. 14, open to those who purchase the Work/Play Pass or a 10-hour pass.

As of Dec. 16, the facility will be open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Moppets will be closed Sundays.

Moppets is available for children ages 0-12.

“We are thrilled to offer our fun and flexible services for parents throughout Greater Hartford,” Moppets Director Kristen Apruzzese said in a news release announcing the opening. “Our proximity to shopping, nightlife, and thriving entrepreneurial scene is perfect for parents in a pinch and a wonderful place for children to learn and engage with one another.”

“Moppets is an ‘anytime babysitter’ for parents needing flexible care up to 4 hours per day,” its website states – for things that parents never seem to find time to do like going to the gym, or for running errands or going to appointments without a little one in tow. It’s also ideal for date nights, or for some peace and quiet while working from home.

And for those who want to use Moppets while getting some work done, there is also a unique partnership available which will allow for use of the new West Hartford Coworking space at a discounted rate.

Moppets and West Hartford Coworking have partnered to offer the “Work/Play Pass,” which provides 10 hours of private desk time at West Hartford Coworking (430 New Park Ave., on the West Hartford/Hartford line) in combination with 20 hours of drop-in childcare at Moppets. The cost is $375, which is steeply discounted from the regular cost of $480, said Annisa Teich, co-owner and managing director of West Hartford Coworking.

Teich, who has a young child herself, fully appreciates the need for both flexible childcare and a space to work productively.

“We are a family-run operation and so the intersection of family and work if always on the brain,” Teich said. “As a working mom, I personally experience the same challenges as many of our members. Balancing the schedule and managing to have any kind of social life is nearly impossible without the right childcare. This made our partnership with Moppets a no-brainer.”

West Hartford Coworking is going even further to support working parents, who are often very stressed. They have added a “Self-Care” room to the coworking space, where remote workers – who often include entrepreneurs or side-hustlers – can meditate or nurse. The gender-neutral space includes a comfortable armchair, pillows, blankets, soft lighting, power sources, and a mini-fridge, Teich said.

“As a creative entrepreneur, husband, and stay-at-home dad, balancing time to build my business and care for my young daughter can be tough,” Abram Moore, Principal at Artless Studios, said in the release. “The Work/Play Pass from Moppets and West Hartford Coworking is a real game-changer because it gives me flexibility when I need it most.”

Parent’s Night Out will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 4:30-10:30 p.m. at Moppets, 141 North Main St., West Hartford, and is open to parents who pre-purchase the Work/Play Pass or their 10-hour package before that date. Clients can register at moppetsdropin.com.

The pass is available for sale at westhartfordcoworking.com/#WorkPlayPass.

Moppets will also be partnering with West Hartford-based Socceropolis to offer soccer camp/childcare combos on certain school holidays and during conference weeks.

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