Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?
Basic free creche for children - we were at Småland IKEA Croydon.
The registration process was easy, the lady used the mouse and my partner entered info straight into computer which made it easier. Did need an emergency contact number who wouldn't be in IKEA which was tricky because don't really have that sort of back up with both of us there, but used a distant relation. I liked the buzzer you get to let you know when you need to go back, though we went back before we needed to, so ours never went off.
DS4 liked the ball pool and the play restaurant/kitchen, and he made a friend. DD6 liked painting and the ball pool, and watched a bit of a film.
Does the free creche service support your overall experience of IKEA?
Yes I think so. It's a bit random but it's nice that it's there, especially as IKEA is the place you can't spend much time in without arguing with your partner and do tend to spend a long time.
Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service?
Yes. I didn't know much about it but my older two had always asked to go there on the way past.
How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?
I would have preferred if they'd been doing some themed activities, crafts or something. Both mine had a nice time but it was like a not-very-good nursery, staff weren't that engaged with the children and it felt quite bland. I understand why, it must be hard doing transitory care for ever changing children but it didn't make it so appealing.
DD6 came out in floods of tears because she couldn't find a picture she'd made while she was there. She'd left it on the table and no-one could find it, I guess someone put it in the bin, so while she still said she had a nice time that was quite discouraging. It took quite a long time for her to stop crying and her picture painting never turned up (we went back to check after lunch).
It would be hard to organise more activities unless there were sessions, so maybe that might be a good idea, instead of it being so nursery like. Hourly sessions on the hour, where staff were more able to sit with children, crafting or dancing.
It looked quite run down inside too; it would be nice if it had little rooms like a mini IKEA but that would probably be bad safeguarding.
I would probably only use Småland again if we had some major furniture decisions to make; I do like that it's there but I have two preschool children too so didn't gain any child-free time. My children will probably ask to go again when we go back to IKEA but I'll probably try and talk them out of it and go to the playground (which was shut when we went) with them instead, unless we have some major buying to do.
I would recommend it, but with reservations!