Hi All! I'm scoping the idea of opening a soft play area just for babies, toddlers and upto 5 year olds in a busy, growing town in the south-west. I've been a single Mum since the day my son was born- he is now 13, becoming independent and it feels as though my time has come to start a real venture and work for myself.
My rationale for focusing only on a young age group- I find the huge play areas can be overwhelmed by bigger children running around, a louder noise level and very limited space/activities for babies & toddlers.....maybe a ball pit, small slide and a few padded toys. There is one huge play area already in my town on an outskirts industrial estate and a second older one is being build outside town in 2022.
There is currently nothing dedicated to babies/toddlers and nothing in the town centre. My son is a teenager now, but I kept my sanity as a new Mum by meeting girlfriends once per week for coffee/baby playtime. That facility was knocked down to make way for new housing and it has not been replaced, so there is a notable gap in the market for a baby/toddler only play area.
What are your thoughts....
- what would you like to see in a dedicated baby/toddler play area- for both yourself and for your children?
- do you know of any decent play areas right in the heart of a busy town/city centre? What makes them good?
- do you think there are any pitfalls of keeping a play area to 5 years and under?
- would you use any other integral services i.e. hairdresser for children? Baby yoga/massage classes? Any other ideas?
- parking is always an issue. Would you be happy to pay for parking in usual town centre car parks to go to a play area?
Any feedback and ideas would be really welcomed. The more research I can do beforehand, the greater likelihood of success, as opening any business is a big risk. Thank you for your help x