about us

Play Haven started as a small seed of a dream when Erin Bertholf was raising and homeschooling her two children in the Hudson Valley. Erin struggled to find playgroups and opportunities for her children that valued play as much as she did. She also could have used some kid-free time for herself. She recalls saying “If only I could drop them some place for a few hours. I could…” and the options were limitless: grocery shopping, catching up on emails, working, studying, meeting up with a friend, and on and on. But Erin was never able to find such a program. 

Now her children are older, and Erin can make time for all these things. But she knows that there are still families out there who value play, desire community, and need a break. From 2018 to 2020, Erin ran Play Day at the Hudson Valley Sudbury School, a parent/child program that provided a space for children to play and explore in a respectful place, but also provided parents and caregivers a chance to find community. 

All of this has led Erin to create Play Haven. A safe, respectful space for children to play and explore, and also an opportunity for parents and caregivers to create community and get some time away.

Erin graduated SUNY New Paltz in 2006 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Disorders and has over 20 years of experience caring for children in various settings.