I came in to The Authentic Nest with my 18-month-old for Montessori Open Play, and we both really enjoyed our time! The space is conveniently located out of Myers Park Baptist Church with free parking right outside.
You reserve your 2-hour slot on their website beforehand. $25 for 2 hours may seem steep at first, but after going, I'd say it's worth it - especially on those hot summer days when you need to engage your little one with indoor activities. There are so many Montessori-style toys to play with, and the owner, Rachel, does a great job organizing them and will also suggest how other kids tend to play with them. My daughter had such a wonderful time exploring and trying out new things.
Important to mention: your session also includes snacks! For adults, there's both hot coffee and canned lattes as well as sparkling waters and other drinks. And for kids (and adults too) there's juice, apple sauce pouches, fruit snacks, granola bites, and more. This, combined with the engaging activities and strong A/C, makes the 2 hours fly by!
Slots are limited to 6 families so that the space is never overly crowded. They do tend to fill up some mornings, and it's slower in the afternoon (when I was there). The owner is great to chat with and suggested we stay into the next session so that my daughter could play with the other kid who was coming. So thoughtful and generous!
From the signs on the walls to the welcoming atmosphere, this is a space full of acceptance, learning, and love. If you have a child aged 0-5, bring them to The Authentic Nest - you'll both be glad you did! read more