My first impression was in a word, "Wow!", there definitely is something very super about this store. With over 3,600 baby products from essentials like nappies, lovely baby and maternity clothes and toys to the big ticket items like travel systems and cots all under one roof there truly is everything and anything you could possibly need for babies to five year olds here.
See, Try, Test
I was impressed by the sheer amount of items on display. You will find larger items like car seats and changing tables stacked high but cleverly with each model or type of product to be found on the lower two rows making them easily accessible. The color variants of the same models are then available to see in the higher shelves above. One thing is for sure, Kiddicare thought out the layout of their stores really well, making use of the massively high celinigs which I understand is the same across all of the stores they have opened recently.
All models & makes of car seats, stacked high and available to see, test & try
Of course this means that everything is out and available to try and test. You can fold and unfold strollers and travel cots, lie your baby in a moses basket to check for size and test your toddler in a first bed. You are even allowed to check if buggies and travel system will fit in the boot of your car which can be a concern for new parents when it comes to buying one. I still remembering all the measuring and calculations we did to figure out whether our first one would fit before Ben was born.
Cots, beds & bedding on display
Price Matching
Not only is the convenience of having such a broad range of items in one store fantastic, but Kiddicare also price match and to make this easy for you to do. They provide free WiFi allowing you to browse the products you want to buy in competitor stores before making your purchase to ensure that you really are getting the best price available. It reminds me of Cole's store in the film Miracle on 34th Street where, thanks to Santa the store recognises the importance of giving parents the most they possibly can for their money and make this easy by ensuring they always get the best price available.Comfort while shopping
There's nothing worse than having to wait around in a queue for staff to help you with a purchase when you have babies, little kids and/or impatient husbands in tow, Kiddicare have thought of this and have a virtual queuing system where you take your "ticket" and are notified on your mobile when it is your turn.To make shopping a more comfortable experience for pregnant mums you will find "pregnant pauses" dotted around the store where you can take a load off those pregnant feet, or cankles as it were back in my days of being pregnant with the twins.
Making Shopping Easy & After Sales
You also have peace of mind with the 365-day returns policy, especially if you plan on buying things in the months before baby arrives and will not actually get around to using them until baby is about six months which is often the case with cots and so on.
Kiddicare also do free car seat fitting, pushchair MOTs and have a new free service, the Kiddicare Baby Gift List which is just like a Wedding List but for all the baby essentials instead which you can share with friends and family. Another useful service which is on the way soon is Click and Collect which will be very handy if you want to shop from home to save time but pick up your products same day.
Events Room
Kiddicare is more than just a store though, one of the things that sets it apart is the spacious Events Room which offers a number of different and varied classes for mums-to-be, mums, babies and toddlers, such a fantastic place for mums to make friends and babies and toddlers to learn, play and have fun. Ben took part in a Didi Dance class while we were there, at first he wasn't too sure about joining in but by the end of the class he was loving it, playing with hula hoops and hiding under the tent.
KiddiCafe
The store also has a fantastic cafe, the Kiddicafe which is perfectly kid friendly. It has a wonderful selection of food and drinks available for parents and children alike. The kids lunchbox option is fantastic and includes a choice of sandwich, Ben opted for ham, snacks such as Organix carrot sticks, Pom Bears etc, a fruit bag, a little chocolate 'fredo' bar and a number of juices and drinks to choose from, all contained in a fun colouring in box complete with crayons to keep the kids busy while you enjoy a coffee and cake, or if you are feeling healthier a panini, sandwich or baked potatoes and salad. You can also bring in your own food and use the heating up facilities.There is plenty of seating with bright colourful green Stokke Tripp Trapp highchairs for the kids and a community table which is perfect if you are meeting up as a group with the kids. The highlight though is the fantastic kids play area, a safe fun area for the little ones to play while you get to enjoy a chat and a coffee.
Kid-friendly toilets
As a mom to a toddler and baby twins, kid-friendly toilets are always a welcome sight. Kiddicare have yet again delivered with big cubicles that you can fit strollers in, two toilets - one adult sized and one kids sized so perfect for those with potty training kids and makes it one less worry when heading out in those early potty training days.
Mini & Adult sized facilities
Kids will also love the fact that they have sinks and hand dryers at their levels just like the adults ones so you will have no problem getting them to wash their hands, in fact if they are like Ben they will be more than willing to use the facilities any time you visit Kiddicare.Nursing Nest
While Kiddicare welcomes breastfeeding anywhere within the store there is a special "Nursing Nest" area which I was very happy to find having two hungry babies to feed. It is such a calm, relaxing zone with seriously comfortable nursing chairs (I want one), nursing pillows and a water cooler to make sure nursing mums stay hydrated - thanks Kiddicare, you really have thought of everything.
Friendly, Helpful Staff
Throughout my tour of the store and while doing some shopping after I found all the staff really helpful with someone always available close by to offer advice or help if needed. Thankfully they also seemed very tolerant of my mischievous toddler running about excitedly and seeing me with twins and Ben in tow they were all very accommodating offering me help to carry or fetch things if required.My Conclusion
I love the Kiddicare Hayes store. I love the fact I can go there and get everything I need in one go, take Ben for a snack and let him play. I don't have to worry about finding somewhere comfortable to breastfeed the twins or a toilet suitable for my toddler. I can make sure I get the best price on the products I want and see and test them out first. These are just a few of the reasons why I will be returning and be making Kiddicare my first port of call for any baby related purchases from now on. To find your latest Kiddicare store check out the store locator.Kiddicarnival on Today
To mark the opening of Kiddicare Hayes there is a two-day Kiddicarnival being held this weekend (10-11 August) with free face painting, goody bags, balloon modeling and beauty treatments so you still have time to get down there today before 5.30 and join in the fun!*Disclaimer: I received a tour of the store, lunch and a fantastic goody bag in exchange for this review but this has in no way biased my opinion. All views and opinions are honest and my own.
