MOME London offers a new concept to help Islington parents transition back to work
MOME London launches “From MOME”, a new initiative designed to bridge the gap between home care and nursery for modern families.
In a city where balancing work and family life is increasingly complex, a new concept emerging in Angel, London is offering a different approach.
MOME London, a design-led creative space for parents and young children, has launched “From MOME – Work. Relax. Chat.”, an initiative designed to support parents navigating one of the most challenging transitions in early parenthood: returning to work.
For many families, the period between full-time parental care and formal childcare is filled with uncertainty. Traditional nursery settings can feel like a sudden step, while working from home with a young child often proves unsustainable. Despite this, there has been a noticeable lack of flexible, in-between solutions that allow parents to ease back into work gradually.
“From MOME” was created to address exactly this gap.
The concept allows parents to remain close (physically and emotionally) while their children participate in short, guided creative sessions within the same environment. While children engage in sensory play, creative exploration and Montessori-inspired activities led by trained educators, parents can choose to work, relax or connect with others nearby.
The result is not traditional childcare, but something more nuanced: a gentle transition model that supports both parent and child in building confidence over time.
Founder Selini Bello developed the concept from both professional and personal experience. Having launched MOME while pregnant with her second child, she was deeply aware of the challenges parents face when trying to balance work, identity and family life.
“Returning to work after having a child isn’t just a logistical shift - it’s emotional,” she explains. “We wanted to create a space where parents don’t feel like they have to choose between being present and being productive.”
The design of MOME plays a key role in this experience. Unlike traditional play centres, the space is intentionally calm, minimal and thoughtfully curated. Natural materials, soft tones and open layouts create an environment that feels equally welcoming to adults and children.
This dual focus on both parent and child is at the heart of the concept.
Children are encouraged to explore independently through structured but flexible activities, while parents are given permission to step back gradually. Whether answering emails, having a coffee, or simply taking a moment to reset, the experience is designed to feel supportive rather than transactional.
Since its soft launch, the response from families has been strong, particularly among parents working flexible roles, freelancers and those easing back into professional life after parental leave.
“From MOME” also forms part of a broader expansion of the brand’s offering through the launch of the MOME Creative Hub, a weekly programme designed to bring together families through shared experiences.
The programme includes:
SEN Thursdays, offering sensory-focused sessions tailored for children with additional needs
Secret Cinema Fridays, immersive storytelling and film-based experiences designed for young audiences
Family Day Saturdays, encouraging shared creative experiences between parents and children
Dad’s Day Sundays, dedicated sessions aimed at fostering stronger connections between fathers and their children
As more parents seek alternatives to rigid childcare structures and isolated working environments, concepts like “From MOME” highlight a growing demand for hybrid solutions. Rather than replacing nurseries, the aim is to complement them, offering a stepping stone that makes the transition feel more natural.
“We’re building more than a space,” says Selini. “We’re building a model that supports modern family life. One that recognises that parents need flexibility, connection and support just as much as children do.”
In a landscape where parenting and work are often positioned in tension, “From MOME” offers a different perspective: one where both can coexist, gradually and thoughtfully.
And in doing so, it introduces a new kind of space; one where parents can work, relax and connect, while their children explore, create and grow.