Opinions needed

[CDx]

I am in the initial stages of a business plan and thought who best to ask than mums!

I've noticed a gap in my area for things to do with kids so I've seen a property that would be ideal to convert into a soft play. As a mum what would you like to see in such a place?

I want to install a kitchen/cafe area to hire out for someone to run.

2 party rooms that could double as rooms to be hired for through the week for things such as baby massage, yoga, sensory etc and in the evening fitness classes for mums to attend while the kids play.

A nail bar/beautician station again that I could lease out and so mums can be pampered while their kids have fun.

I was also thinking of specific sessions for kids on the autistic spectrum - I know parents can have extra anxiety about their children's behaviour so this would create an environment they can meet others in a similar situation and relax knowing they won't be judged. It could also be beneficial for the kids to meet others experiencing similar.

Is there anything I am missing or that you could suggest?

Cx

 

[JD.Deedee]

I went to one further out last week..

One thing i'd like to see is more drinks and food... Food tends to be a bit bland or cheaply wherever you go so outsourcing it might be a good idea or you know a bit of variety like wraps and panini's, homemade soup instead of just cold sandwiches or nuggets and chips haha

The one I went to compared to the one round the corner had a little sensory room, it was darker it had bean bags for younger children who didn't crawl or walk yet to watch video's projected on the wall and I believed it had some more sensory type of things in there. They had a slide for under 4's that my son was able to get up and down by himself and a bigger version for 4+
Small part had loads of soft bits like letter cubes even bouncers for babies ect..
There was a seperate area for kids to either play with ride ons and other car kind of things and toys.. And they had a like a little corner with dolls and a little kitchen and such. Even though it was smaller all together than the one round my corner it was much more worth going.. My son gets fed up after an hour or so or when it gets busy, so the variety kept him entertained.
Classes would be good, I know the baby gym has various similar objects but it just is set out different.. Small groups and having children encouraged to play with eachother in similar age ranges would be good.. I think if you'd do something like a nailbar, you'd have to charge a little more so another adult could supervise their children just in case. I couldn't watch my son or hurry behind him with varnish drying on my nails.. Though I like the idea

I hope it works out and if you open close enough we might visit one day !

 

[Toni.C]

Sounds like a fab idea. We have such a lack of baby groups and soft play for little ones in my area. A friend and I ventured out a few weeks ago to an old converted barn. They had 2 levels, downstairs for the babies and upstairs for toddlers with lots of wooden toys, sensory toys, mirrors, lights, fake grass, rattles. It was fantastic, there was so much to look at and do. They had a cafe so while the kids where playing you could have fresh homemade cake and coffee. They had lunches for the babies and toddlers and in site they had a farm shop, gift shop and restaurant. Outside they had a playhouse, stepping stones, ride ons etc. They get ponies in for rides, they do baby massage classes etc. I think we need more of these!

Really like your idea with the beautician too. If you were local to me I'd definitely be interested.

 

[Orion]

I'd drop the nail bar idea. The smell won't be nice for one, and if your kid needs you urgently during or after having them done your nails will get ruined. Plus it's encouraging the mums to not properly supervise their children - unless you're having some childminder type workers there to take over?

A special baby area would be nice. Most soft play areas only cater to older children.

 

[CDx]

Thanks ladies.

JD.DeeDee I totally agree with the poor quality food, my cousin is a chef so I am hoping he will come on board and bring some nutritional healthy meals and not the cheap microwaveable pizzas and oven fries that seem to be the norm.

I had thought of parents being distracted - I wouldn't want to hire anyone without a childcare qualification, if the parent has a beauty appointment or fitness clss the beautician the child should be issued a wristband for the child with where the parent is written on it so that other staff can identify who's parents might be pre-occupied so to keep a closer eye on them.
Obviously this is something I would need to look into in more depth as it is likely to increase the number of staff required therefore might not be financially viable.

 

[CARNAT22]

How far down the soft play route would you be going? Basic or comprehensive (ie would it be just some mats and a few toys or would you be looking for stuff for older kids as well - climbing apparatus, slides, ball pits etc)

We looked into costings for something quite comprehensive and it was 25k for just the equipment to set up the actual soft play. This was before we even looked at premises or took anything else into account (where we are there are lots of 'small' soft play places which is why we looked into the more comprehensive option which is definitely lacking where I live)

Also take health and safety into consideration. Softplay is subject to vigorous checks.

Sorry to sound so doom and gloom. As I say we were looking in quite a grand scale.

I'd begin as simplistically as possible and expand as you make money? So maybe begin with softplay, food and renting out rooms (and party hire of the venue entirely + catering). Then move on to the other stuff?

X

 

[Mrbump83]

I love your ideas!

I think a good area for under 3's, as we lack this everywhere by us and the ones that do have them are full of older children who are far too playful for little ones, so if be strict on this.

Ride on toys etc are a fab idea, we travel far to go to one with these.

My friend looked at setting up a soft play, she nearly bought a whole set up ( a great one) from eBay, a business was shutting down.

Could you outsource staff to look after children and parents pay the staff?
I would love this as I have a 17 month old and a baby, so I struggle in soft play carrying my 4 month old around while trying to care for my baby.
My local leisure centre do this and it's always full!! I pay £4.85 for my baby for two hours but I'd pay more. Let's me concentrate on my daughter bug my baby is still their with other children too.

X x x

 

[MrsT2011]

Sounds exciting anywhere near me lol! For me most important is that I can see my son where ever he is - he's 3 and doesn't need me to try and fit through the soft play with him but I like to be able to see him at all times. I think it's important to look at the placement of toilets - busy kids don't give much notice when they need to go so it's a mad dash!
Secure doors - there's one soft play where the kids can just walk out the doors so we all have to congregate near them just in case!
Maybe lockers or something for mums to put bags in etc - if I go on my own with B I worry about leaving my purse etc when I'm in the soft play with him.
I agree that specific sessions would be good for children with additional needs. One near me does age specific which is good as I do worry when he's in with 7/8 year olds as they may not realise my sons as young as he is and also when there's young children and my sons being a bit rough! I know there's separate areas but I've never once seen it policed anywhere I've been.

 

[littlemonkey]

I'm like MrsT, I like to be able to see my son when we're at soft play. There are lots of soft play places by us and I do prefer the smaller ones to go to on my own with the kids so I can watch my eldest while I sit with the baby.

Most of the ones by us are all pretty similar, with baby sensory rooms and lots of different areas for younger and older kids. They also all have free days in the week during term time. I'll be honest, I would only really go to them when they're free. There is only one I'd happily pay for, and that's because it's huge with lots of equipment and a big football area.

I appreciate what you're looking to do wih the fitness classes, nail bar etc but personally I can't think of anything worse. These are the kindof things iI'd want to do myself for my own 'me' time and wouldn't want to be worried about my kids at the same time.