Find out what MNers have to say about IKEA’s SMÅLAND

[AbbiCMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the Mumsnet users with children aged between 3 - 10 who have tested IKEA’s SMÅLAND crèches in their stores around the UK.

Here’s what IKEA has to say:
“For many a trip to IKEA is a fun day out for the whole family. We take pride in ensuring there are features and facilities available that families need and with something for everyone to enjoy. Play facilities make shopping more fun and easy for families with children. Parents can relax and enjoy shopping, whilst children can learn and have fun.
Our supervised play facilities aim to provide a space where every child can be an individual having new and memorable experiences, whilst opening their imagination and creating curiosity.
Please read here for more details about SMÅLAND, including information about children with additional needs. You can check here to locate your local store.”

Testers, please give your feedback by answering the questions below:

• Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?
• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?
• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?
• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

All testers who give their feedback will be entered into a prize draw where 3 x MNers will win a £100 IKEA voucher.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

• Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?

Our experience of Smaland was actually pretty fab. I’ve always been a bit wary of leaving my kids there but upon trying it was pleasantly surprised how secure it felt.

• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

I found the time was too short to really help, we had to hurry and could focus as much as I would have liked. Which is the same as when the kids come round with us! They had fun though, but it is definitely only good for when you’re nipping in and out.

• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

Yes, I was chucked in them as a kid!

• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

I think Ikea need a better system for entry because filling out the forms can take ages, and they could do with offering longer. There is no way to get all the way around the store before the time is up. The kids had fun but it wasn’t particularly convenient having to dash back after 45 minutes with all my stuff still unpaid for.

Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?
My children really enjoyed it and would like to go again. It was nice to get to go round the shop by myself, though 45 mins wasn't quite enough time to get all the way round so it was a bit rushed.

• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

Yes, although I think that next time I will take them round the shop with me and then drop them off at the creche while I load the car and then have a nice rest in the cafe as it was too short a time to get all the shopping done.

• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

Yes, we have used it before once.

• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

Make the time a bit longer, e.g. 1 hour 15 minutes so you actually have time to shop.

A better booking system would be a real benefit. I think we spent as much time queuing as the kids did in the creche. If you could book online before going, or on the screens when you arrive instead of queuing for ages just to be told there are no spaces left, that would be much better.

I love smaland and have always had a good experience with my two in the Glasgow stores. I have a number of rental properties so I’m in Ikea a lot and smaland means I can plan a kitchen or shop for essentials without stress.

Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)? Good. We had to wait for a free session which meant changing plans and if we hadn't been testing we would not have gone back but the children (age 5 and 10) enjoyed themselves and were pleased with the crafts they made. They were a bit disappointed that the ball pool was very small and limited to one child at a time but generally had a really good time. Registering was easy, the security of signing the children in and out was good and the pager in case of problems was nice.
Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA? If spaces were free immediately, yes it would make shopping much easier.
Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review? Yes, as it is at the entrance of the store but we have never used it previously.
How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend? Have some bookable spaces or more staff so more spaces are available. Make registering online available.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to try this, was really appreciated.

Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?
Very positive. My DD(5) was a bit nervous going in in her own as DS is only 1. But she loved it.

• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

Yes. Nice and easy, well thought out and efficient.

• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

Yes but I had never used it.

• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

I would def recommend and will use it again. Perhaps linking the forms to the Family Card registration might help save time as I had to put in a lot of duplicate info, but understand why. If they could take younger than 3 years old that would be fab too but am nit picking here. Thanks again x

• Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?

My experience was great. My daughter loved the crèche and was very happy with her witch face she made.

• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

Absolutely. It's great to be able to browse without worrying what is being smashed by my child.

• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

I was aware, but I just never considered using it. I can't say why really, as it's brilliant.

• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

I'd absolutely recommend the crèche to a friend. An improvement for me would be being able to increase the amount of time the children can go in for. I'd be happy to pay for and additional 45 minutes. I could really get everything I needed to done then. I appreciate this would probably be much harder to manage for the crèche.

• Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?

Was a great experience for my son. The time went by really quickly but was enough to allow me to get a few bits. Overall he came out happy and seemed like he had a good time. It wasn't too busy at the time so sounds like he had more staff supervision.

• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

Yes it does. I had never know about it till now so thanks for the opportunity to use it. It fits in with the family friendly theme of IKEA.

• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

No I wasn't aware of this before this instance.

• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

I would recommend it. I found it confusing to find and was unable to find basis details about it until I got there. It would have been nice for signage to have key bits of detail like what age range is suitable, what times days it's open, what sessions are available. I only understood more about the creche till I got there but would have been helpful to have at the entrance to near the stairs. Would be useful to have a small kids snack stall there too to use to pick up a quick snack for the kids

Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?
Extremely positive, my youngest did not want to come shopping and once he realised the creche was more interesting he was well away. Once we got to the front of the long queue it was quick and easy.

• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

Very much so as it allows you options when considering bigger purchases.

• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

Yes I was.

• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

Pre booking would be great, just for a small window of time even if it meant paying a small deposit as then you would know there would be availability but yes I would recommend.

Thanks for choosing us to be involved.

Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?
Really good - the previous posters who mentioned security surely couldn't have been at the Ashton store where they take it all very seriously. I always try and time my visit for a less busy time so now my 6 year old can go in more quickly. My younger one has just turned 3 so we're looking for another visit in the near future.

Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?
Yes, it makes us more likely to have a visit (and afterwards the children like to stop off at the cafe - and a cone from the 'magic' ice cream machine is a must!)

Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?
Yes, I have used it a few times in the past couple of years

How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?
I would definitely recommend to a friend - the only drawback for me is that the hour goes very quickly and when the store is busy it can take quite a while to get back there - a 90 minute slot would be ideal

Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?
Great, my little one loved it and we had more fun in IKEA too!

• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

Most definitely

• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

Yes, but I hadn't tried it out

• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

Would definitely recommend this to a friend. Im not sure how you could improve!

Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?
Really good. I used the Croydon one. I got there just as the store opened to ensure there was availability so there was a slot available with minimal queuing. We've not used it before so had to register but this was fairly straightforward. My son was a little wobbly-lipped when I left him but the staff member was quick to reassure him and distract him with a train set. I found the pager system very reassuring, I had imagined they'd contact me by phone if there was a problem and I was worried about not hearing it - no chance of that with the very buzzy pager. My son seemed to enjoy it, he'd done some drawing and had made a little pal in there.

Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?
Yes, reinforces he family friendly values of the company and value for money aspect.

Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?
Sort of. I knew it was there as had seen it but didn't really know too much about it. My son has only just turned 3 so it was irrelevant to us until now anyway.

How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

• Offer longer sessions, even if they are at an extra cost. I was only really browsing today so it didn't matter but I can imagine the sessions aren't long enough if you are there at the weekend to make big purchases.
• Online booking would be good. I deliberately went early on a Monday to make sure I got a place but I wouldn't want to have to wait at busy times. I'd be happy to pay a deposit online that was refunded when you booked in.

Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Smaland (creche)?

• Fantastic. The facilities within the creche looked clean and well maintained, with plenty to do. I felt confident leaving my 5 year old and felt that she had been well looked after with lots of interaction from staff.

Does the free creche service support your overall experience of IKEA?

• Yes. To me Ikea is very family friendly. It's somewhere my 5 year old loves to visit, mostly to play in the kids department and to get a hot dog at the end, and now to visit the creche.

Were you aware Ikea offered a free creche service before the review?

• I knew they had a creche but was not aware that it is free to use.

How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

• Perhaps an easier route from checkout back to the creche. The quickest way was to go outside and then back in the main entrance. I would absolutely recommend the free creche, and already have!

Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?

My 9 year old daughter had a great time, made a friend, had a go at some different activities. We went on a Saturday afternoon and weren’t sure there was going to be availability but there were plenty of spaces in the next session giving us time to grab something to eat beforehand.

• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

Yes, it’s nice to have the option of a bit of child fee time to make decisions!

• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

Yes, I had used it when the kids were smaller but hadn’t thought of using with older kids.

• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

The service is great! It does sometimes feel like a bit of a gamble with session times and availability but as long as you can be a bit flexible it usually works!

Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?
My kids absolutely enjoyed it. We will use it next time too. The staff is very nice and the toys are entertaining.

• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

Yes, that was very easy and focused shopping without my kids. I did not have to hurry because my kids were at good and safe place.

• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

I did not realised before it was free.

• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

Yes I definitely would recommend and already have recommended. I think the 1 hour booking slot is too short.

Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?

Really good, it was friendly and efficiently run, and my girls enjoyed it. I was impressed with the staff and with the activities they had available.

-Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

Yes, it fits in with how I view our local IKEA store as an actively family friendly destination.

Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

Yes

How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend

I would definitely recommend the creche, the girls enjoyed it and I felt confident leaving them there. I would love to be able to book in advance but can see that would be problematic, there was quite a large queue when I went to collect my girls and this would put me off using the service in future as I'd be happy to take the girls around with me rather than wait around in a queue for a creche.

Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?
My experience was really positive, when we turned up it was extremely quiet, the lady told me there was no wait time but we said we were going to eat first and then come back and so she went through the whole procedure of how we would fill the forms in and be given the buzzer. However my son decided he didnt want to go in so we never actually experienced it. Looking through the windows however it looked really good, beforehand he was interested in it- he saw the ball pit and was especially happy when he saw the TV, however he only turned 3 last month and I think it was too much for him.

Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?
It would because it means I would be able to browse round the shop without my son getting fed up and causing me to rush.

Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?
I had seen it at the entrance e of the shop before however my son had always been too young to use it before.

How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?
I'm not sure I could answer this as we never got to use it in the end.

Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?
It was a very positive visit for myself and my son. To be honest i was a little nervous leaving him in thr creche but the staff were very friendly and professional and gave ne a bleeper incase i needed to be contacted and my son ran off to play in thr ball pit with another little boy.

• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

Yes its bright and modern with friendly staff.

• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

I've noticed the creche before but didnt realise it was free and wasnt aware about the bleepers that are handed out to parents incase they need to be contacted.

• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

I would advertise this more for sure as i would definetley use it again myself amd recommend to friends and the mum group I'm part of which is huge! It would be worth putting an advert in the grapevine magazine as most parents read this as get it free at nursery or schools.

Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?

We had to wait an hour and a half for space for my girls however the staff seemed organised and very on the ball. Sign in was simple due to already being registered and technology to contact us in emergency was ideal. Very positive in total.

Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

Yes although would be better to be more staffed to reduce the wait time.

Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

Yes I did know, have used this service for years to allow me to roam with no distractions!

How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

Shorter wait times! Would(and do) definitely recommend :)

• Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?

My experience was very good, despite visiting during half term it wasnt too busy so didnt have to wait.

• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

Yes very much so, I've not used small and before as my children enjoy a good trip to IKEA.

• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

Yes I was aware but my youngest isnt old enough and so we just all stick together.

• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

Although I cant really say anything negative about the creche only thing I'd say is the pick up not being the best system as to collect the children you have to go to the lower ground and if you havent finished shopping on upper level you have to go down and then return back to the start again to make your way back to where you were.

• Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?

We went on Sunday and that queue was so long that we have done some of the shopping first and when we went to Smaland again (it wasn't busy) but we have been told that there is a waiting list and had to wait another 2 hours for my daughter to get in. So dissapointed but we finished our shopping and waited for her to go. It was only for 45 minutes and she said it was nice, but all that queing time was ridiciulous.

• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

It is very good idea, but they shouldn't do waiting list, first come first served - would be better and so much easier.

• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

I knew they had creche but before taking part in this project I thought I will have to pay for it.

• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

The Ikea stor we went to was near Meadowhall Sheffield and their creche is really small for the amount of people coming to the store, you should make it bigger to make sure that more children can use it at the same time ad that queue is not so long, as most of parents won't be able to use it anyway.

• Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?

We didn’t have to wait too long to get in, my little boy (3) was apprehensive at first but then ran in and loved it. I was quite worried about leaving him, but the staff put my mind at ease and were very friendly and professional.

• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

It certainly makes shopping easier, although I feel you’d need to know beforehand what you wanted to get, it wasn’t long enough for casual browsing!

• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

I was aware but I’d never heard any mum friends talking about it and I was a bit nervous about leaving him, so I never looked into it.

• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

Advertise it more, as I think more families would visit Ikea to go to it, they maybe just don’t know about it yet! I’d definitely recommend to a friend, in fact we’ve already made plans to return.

• Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?

Very straightforward - we have been before so all of my dd's details were recorded on the system. My dd actively asks to go back to Ikea!

• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

Yes - it helps to be able to ask questions and make big decisions without worrying of your child is going to try to hide in a wardrobe!

• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service before the review?

Yes. My DD has visited the crèche previously.

• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

I think being able to register your child's information in advance would speed things up on a first visit. Otherwise- it's great!

Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?

It was great to be able to get some child free time around such a busy story and busy time that we chose to go. Although my daughter (3) isn't shy, she loves to make friends with anyone and there were alot of significantly older kids in there and didnt seem to be much seperation between them. She still had a great time and I'm glad I bit the bullet and used the facility as we need to make some more trips in the future. It is so much easier to look at labels and browse without having to keep your eyes on a wandering toddler! The entrance and exit to the creche are in a great location in conjunction with the layout of the shop.

• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

Definitely!

• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

Yes however my daughter had only recently turned 3 so we haven't had a chance to use it yet!

• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend

It was very busy during half term and we had to wait for a space. We did have an hour long slot but it was so busy in store that I felt we were rushing around. Depending on what you need to do I don't feel it's necessarily long enough but I appreciate it is a free service. I would definitely recommend to a friend.

Overall, how would you summarise your experience of the Småland (crèche)?

It's fantastic. The first time my son (4yo) went, he was cautious at first, but then convinced when he saw the toy trains through the window. The second time there were quite a few bigger kids around, and I got the impression he didn't have such a good experience. Most times since then have been good though. He enjoys playing with the toys, watching a movie, or the ball pit. Having a window at kid-height that he could look through from the outside, is important: when he is feeling nervous about going in, it helps that he's able to check it out first and see that it's fun. I like that they have movies playing in a quiet space, because sometimes he is feeling cranky and just doesn't want to play. The staff have always been great -- very friendly, and used to handling all sorts of kids.

• Does the free creche service supports your overall experience of IKEA?

It makes an enormous difference! Taking a kid around a store is a nightmare. Occasionally on snow days I also just come to use the creche, and then sit in the cafe getting some work done for an hour... Although I always end up buying something while I'm there, so I don't feel too guilty! Combined with the nice and affordable cafes, the free creche makes a shopping trip much less stressful.

• Were you aware IKEA offered a free crèche service the review?

Yes. I was told about it by friends when we first had our son!

• How do you feel we could improve this service going forward and would you recommend this service to a friend?

I would definitely recommend it to a friend. A few more hands on activities would be nice, but honestly for a free service, its fantastic.