Pick a Place
Your pod needs a home base — somewhere your crew of curious kids (and snack-hungry parents) can gather, learn, and make memories. Some families keep it simple and rotate houses each week — today it’s your dining room table, next week it’s the neighbor’s basement-turned-classroom. It’s kind of like a traveling circus, but with more books and fewer clowns (hopefully).
Others decide to chip in and rent a space — maybe a church classroom, a spare office, or even that quirky old building downtown. Having a neutral spot means no one’s living room turns into a daily obstacle course of poster boards, loose crayons, and science experiments gone rogue.
Learning Base
A good home base is comfy but practical: somewhere kids can spread out with books and blocks, grown-ups can chat about lesson plans, and everyone can snack without feeling like they’re trespassing. Bonus points if there’s outdoor space for fresh air and wiggles — because we all know kids can only sit still for so long before they spontaneously combust.
Wherever you set up, make sure there’s enough elbow room for learning — and enough floor space for the inevitable art projects that will involve glitter. (Seriously, once glitter shows up, it’s not leaving. You’ll be finding it on your dog and in your shoes for the next decade. You’ve been warned.)
A good home base is comfy but practical: somewhere kids can spread out with books and blocks, grown-ups can chat about lesson plans, and everyone can snack without feeling like they’re trespassing. Bonus points if there’s outdoor space for fresh air and wiggles — because we all know kids can only sit still for so long before they spontaneously combust.
So whether your pod’s home base is your cozy living room, the rec hall down the street, or that charming shed in someone’s backyard, make it yours. Embrace the mess, stock up on wipes for the glitter, and get ready to make learning memories you want to remember!
Rotate or Rent?
Many pods begin by rotating houses. It’s simple and budget-friendly. One week you’re at the Smiths’ dining room table, the next you’re in the Jones’ garage-turned-classroom. Rotating helps share the load (and the mess) so that no one person has to host every lesson, snack break, and papier-mâché explosion.
But rotating isn’t for everyone. If your group is larger or you want a dedicated space where you can display bulletin boards, science projects, or that giant timeline of ancient civilizations, renting a space might make more sense. Some families chip in together to rent a small office space, community room, church classroom, or even an unused storefront. It can be more work to find and pay for, but it gives your pod a real “school away from school” feel.
What Makes a Good Pod Space?
No matter where you meet, there are a few basics you’ll want:
Room to spread out. Kids need space to move, learn, and make messes. A cramped living room might work for two kids, but six kids with paintbrushes? You’ll wish for elbow room.
Storage is your friend. Crates, bins, shelves — whatever keeps the books, markers, and glue sticks from overtaking your entire life.
A spot for creativity. There will be art projects. And glitter. And slime. It’s science. Make sure you have a surface (or even an outdoor area) that can handle a little chaos.
Safety and comfort. Is it kid-proof enough? Do you have enough chairs? A bathroom nearby? These little things can make or break your days.
Ready to Start Your Microschool, Learning Pod, or Co-Op?
Your microschool, learning pod, or homeschool co-op deserves a website that’s as warm, flexible, and community-focused as the experience you offer.
We design beautiful, user-friendly websites specifically for non-religious learning communities — from small pods to larger co-ops. Whether you’re starting a new secular microschool or growing an established group, we make sure your unique vision shines through.
What About Zoning or Rules?
If you’re hosting at home, check any HOA rules — some neighborhoods have guidelines about the number of cars that can be parked or the number of children who can gather regularly. If you rent a space, check local zoning laws to ensure you’re not inadvertently classified as a daycare or commercial facility. A quick chat with your city or landlord can save you headaches down the road.
Be Realistic — and Flexible
Your home base probably won’t be Pinterest-perfect all the time. There might be backpacks by the front door, Lego underfoot, and a suspicious trail of glitter leading from the kitchen to the driveway. That’s okay! The magic is in the learning and connection, not whether your “classroom” has matching chairs.
Ready to make it yours?
Once you’ve secured your spot, set it up to feel inviting and inspiring. Hang up the kids’ artwork, put out some cozy pillows for reading, and stock your supply shelves. This is your village’s home base — a place where curiosity, creativity, and community come together.
So whether you’re rotating through living rooms or renting the church fellowship hall down the street, make it a space where your kids — and you — love to gather and learn.
And maybe buy the big broom for the glitter. You’ll need it.
