Our story

Started by two occupational therapists, PlayWell Brooklyn was sparked from a desire to bring integrated play to our community and families! Born from a passion for inclusivity and wellness, we believe that play is an essential part of a child's development and has many benefits for both children and adults.

Team

Rita Sverdlova

Rita is a dedicated pediatric occupational therapist with over 10 years of experience in New York City. She is passionate about helping children overcome challenges and reach their full potential. Rita believes in the power of play-based therapy and intervention, recognizing that children learn best through engaging and enjoyable activities.

MaryEllen Cavaleri

As the Co-Founder of PlayWell and the owner of Kidz in the Zone, MaryEllen is passionate about bringing the joy of PlayWell to the community. With a deep understanding of the importance of play and its role in child development, MaryEllen has leveraged her expertise as an occupational therapist to help create an inclusive playspace that fosters growth, exploration, and happiness.

Camilla Valois

Camilla is a Brazilian/ American born and raised in Berkeley, CA. She spent the early years of her life developing a passion for the arts and becoming self-taught in handcrafted textile artforms such as sewing, weaving, and embroidery. After working in the Fashion Industry, and developing her textile brand, Camilla chose to make a career change and leave the industry to work with children. She spent a year working as a Preschool Director at a Brooklyn Preschool, and now has happily found a home at PlayWell! For fun, Camilla loves puzzles, board games, and swimming.

Cassidy Fuller

Cassidy was a competitive gymnast growing up and coached gymnastics for eight years in Georgia, her home state. After graduating from the University of Georgia, she taught English in Germany as a Fulbright scholar before moving to Brooklyn. In her free time, she enjoys theater, collage, and AcroYoga.

Opening hours

Appointments required! Reserve an open-play or class session online.

Monday
9am-6pm
Tuesday
9am-6pm
Wednesday
9am-6pm
Thursday
9am-6pm
Friday
9am-6pm
Saturday*
9am-2pm
Sunday*
9am-12pm

*Saturday and Sunday afternoon hours may be extended if no private parties are booked. Please check our booking page for availability.