The Nest

A Place to Grow: Our Custom-Built Home for Learning & Play

The Story & The Space

Built for Little Hands, Nurturing Big Dreams

Robin Rice began the Nest in Bethesda in 1983 to create a dedicated space where her own children could thrive. It was her dream to expand her small family child care program into something where many families could join. That dream became a reality in 1990 when she custom-built the 2,220 square-foot facility on a picturesque two-acre lot in North Potomac, right across from Travilah Elementary School. We don't just rely on our history—we continuously enhance our space, blending a rich past with modern amenities for your child's safety and growth.

A red sign with white and blue text hanging on a white wooden post in a snowy outdoor setting, advertising Robin's Nest Child Care & Learning Center, with a small bird illustration at the top and a phone number at the bottom.

Cartoon red bird with one eye winking and wings spread wide.

2 Acres

Abundant Outdoor Space

Icon of three stylized trees on a green background.

2,220 Square Foot

Custom-Built Indoor Facility

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Since 1983

To North Potomac Home

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Three blue eggs with small speckles on black background.

Outdoors - Where Adventures Bloom

Explore, Discover, and Grow in Nature

A simple tree illustration with a brown trunk, green leaves, and a branch extending to the right.

Cartoon illustration of a laughing red bird with closed eyes, yellow beak, and small feet.

Bathed in beautiful natural light, our facility offers seamless access to our expansive two-acre outdoor space—far exceeding state requirements. We believe outdoor play is essential for balancing learning and activity, providing a safe environment for children to explore their world. From shady playground areas with ample choices of equipment for all ages and abilities (including various swings for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children) to an adjacent field perfect for soccer, every day is an opportunity for fresh-air adventures.

Five young children wearing masks and casual clothing are standing outside near a chicken enclosure, observing chickens inside. The enclosure is made of wooden posts and wire mesh, set on a grassy area with trees and a wooden fence in the background.

Did you know Robin’s Nest far exceeds State requirements for outdoor space? We believe fresh air and play are vital for healthy development!

Illustration of a lightbulb inside a circle with rays, symbolizing ideas or creativity.

Group of chickens and roosters in an outdoor enclosure with a fence and open sky in the background.

A young boy in a teal shirt and patterned shorts holding a large glass pitcher, smiling, standing outdoors on green grass, with other children playing in the background.

Children's playground with a plastic playhouse and slide, and a pink and blue baby swing, surrounded by a wooden fence and trees.

Children playing with a large, colorful parachute outdoors in a grassy yard.

Colorful toddler swings hanging from wooden posts in a playground, with wood chips on the ground and a blurred background of other playground equipment.

Children playing soccer on a grassy field surrounded by trees with two small goals and a fence.

A toy figurine of Winnie the Pooh sitting on a wooden surface, holding a honey pot labeled "HUNNY", with colorful plastic eggs nearby, outdoors with blurred trees in the background.

Children with a coach or adult stacking their hands together in a circle on a grassy field

A basket of various colored eggs, including brown, white, and light blue eggs, resting on a wooden surface.

Close-up of a smiling young child with missing front teeth, outdoors with sunlight filtering through trees in the background.

Close-up of yellow and blue climbing playground structure with red connector in a park.

Colorful children's playground with a white, pink, yellow, and purple playhouse situated outdoors in a park with trees and greenery in the background.

Childrens' playground with slides, climbing structures, and a jungle gym under trees, surrounded by a wooden fence.

Children playing outdoors near an inflatable pool and water toys, some holding water guns and one girl with a water balloon launcher, on a grassy yard on a sunny day.

Children playing on swings and other playground equipment in a backyard with a wooden fence, trees, and a brick apartment building in the background.

Children's playground with slides, climbing structures, and a geodesic dome, surrounded by trees and wooden fencing.

Blue plastic swing hanging from a tree with grass and a white fence in the background.

A person's hand holding one white egg and one brown egg outside, with fallen leaves on the ground and blurred grass in the background.

A coach instructing young children during a soccer practice on a grassy field, with each child balancing a soccer ball with their foot.

Indoors - A World Designed for Little Ones

Thoughtfully Designed for Comfort and Connection

Our open-concept indoor space was designed with children's needs at heart. Here, comfort meets engagement, with restrooms, washing, and changing stations all easily accessible. We offer a rich variety of toys, books, and activities tailored to every age. Our unique minimalist dividers create separate age-group rooms while still allowing children to see and hear each other. This thoughtful design fosters familiarity with all our teachers and rooms, eases transitions from infant to Kindergarten-ready, and allows siblings to feel connected throughout the day.

Cute illustrated red bird with closed eyes and a small beak, smiling, with outstretched wings and tiny feet.

Two young children sleeping on small blue mats on colorful alphabet rug in classroom.

Child-Friendly Facilities

Restrooms & washing stations for ease.

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Engaging Activities

Toys, books, and learning tools for every age.

White teddy bear sitting on a stack of books with a pink background.

Seamless Transitions

Open design to move between age groups.

White footprints on a yellow background.

Colorful children's rug with alphabet and numbers in a classroom.

Colorful wooden bead keychain with yellow, blue, red, and green beads placed on a wooden stand.

A children's playroom with various toys, baby swings, activity centers, shelves, and a gated area for safety.

Empty classroom with blue chairs around tables, a bookshelf filled with children's books, windows, a whiteboard with vocabulary words, gray cabinets, and a microwave on the counter.

A children's playroom with a small wooden table and chairs, a red toy kitchen set, and a wall decorated with colorful, alphabet letter stickers. There is a white storage unit with bins, a wooden rocking chair, and a nook with shelves and a blue canop

Colorful wooden toy train with a red front, followed by yellow, green, and blue cars, on a curved wooden track on a gray carpeted floor.

Childcare or nursery room with three cribs against a wall with tree and bird decals, a blue checkered rug, a small table with chairs, a toy high chair, and a brown armchair.

Four empty blue plastic trays placed on a beige table in a classroom or hospital setting, with a white bed and a backpack visible in the background.

A cozy children's play area with a blue and white checkered rug, a beige armchair with a pillow, a white crib, a colorful activity jumper, and a plastic activity center. The wall behind features alphabet letters and a few decorative items.

Indoor children's play area with baby swing, activity center, and various toys, separated by wooden gates with a carpeted floor and bright windows.

A room designed for young children with various toys and play equipment, including a baby swing, activity centers, and a gated play area, with shelves and artwork on the walls.

Colorful children's artwork attached to a whiteboard in a classroom.

Children's play area with cribs, toys, and educational decorations on the wall, including colorful alphabet letters.

Interior of a children's playroom with toys, small tables, chairs, and storage shelves filled with books and toys.

Children's play area in a daycare with a colorful wooden play kitchen, a small table and chairs, and safety gates, set on a blue carpeted floor.

Colorful wooden toy train on a track with a blue, yellow, and red engine and a blue and yellow carriage, on a gray carpeted floor.

An empty classroom with children's furniture, shelves with educational toys, a whiteboard, and a kitchenette in the background.

Interior of a children's playroom with a small wooden kitchen set, a table with chairs, a bookcase, a baby gate, framed certificates on the wall, and a door leading outside.

Interior of a children's playroom with wooden table and chairs, a red cabinet, shelves with toys and books, and colorful educational materials, with a window and door leading outside.

An empty classroom or playroom with wooden toys, a small table and chairs, and colorful storage bins.

A wooden children's table with a colorful game or puzzle on top, accompanied by two matching wooden chairs, in a playroom with a gray wall and a toy kitchen set.

Safety & Reliability - Our Unwavering Commitment

Your Peace of Mind, Our Top Priority

Ensuring the safety of every child is the absolute top priority at Robin’s Nest. Our facility is equipped with state-of-the-art fire safety measures, and we conduct regular fire and emergency drills. Adding to this, our state-of-the-art standby generator guarantees an uninterrupted power supply, meaning we remain open and operational even during power outages. Inclement weather never closes our doors—the children even love playing outside after a snowfall! We do not close for spring or summer break. Our closures are limited to mostly federal holidays, following the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) schedule, with exception to 3-day closures Thanksgiving and Christmas. At Robin's Nest, you can always count on us.