Yesterday I was invited to come and visit the new Kiddicare Store in Enfield. It was my very first experience of Kiddicare having never before shopped there, either in-store or on-line. I’m not sure why really? It just wasn’t on my radar I guess. It is now!

I couldn’t believe how amazing it is? They have literally one of everything you could possibly want for a baby or toddler. Under one roof! You can try before you buy, use one of many services like their baby gift list service and even sit and have something yummy to eat, a relaxing coffee or a slice of cake while the little ones get to play in a safe and enclosed play area with windows so that you can see in from your seat! I mean, even if you don’t want to shop it would be worth going for a coffee with friends! How many times do you get to a coffee shop, start a thousand conversations and never finish them because babies simply don’t care for the art of parental conversation? Here they can play and you can chat while you watch them!!

It was the coffee shop I started my day in and Jimmy definitely appreciated a run around before we shopped! I had a lovely relaxing, yes, relaxing cup of herbal tea, Jimmy had his first ever Capri Sun and then he played while I finished. I had a pot of tea and not one drop of it was cold when I drank it – almost unheard of!

And then with me refreshed and him satisfied that he’d not just been dumped in the buggy and pushed round shopping, we set off for a tour of the store. We had a guide but didn’t really need one as the store is set out in such a way that everything is visible, clearly signed and in a spacious environment. The shop is vast yet still it feels intimate because everything is clear to see, it’s not a maze and it felt easy and comfortable walking round discovering ALL the many services that Kiddicare has to offer!

There’s lots of hands on stuff like the stair gate area where they are all up and ready to be used before you make any decisions and the ‘Walk In The Park’ area where buggies can be test driven. With almost every buggy and every make for sale at Kiddicare you’re spoiled for choice! The only two brands who they don’t stock are Bugaboo and iCandy but they’re working on that one! There’s a VIB (Very Important Baby) area where finances (buy now and pay later is an option at Kiddicare) and other things can be discussed in private while the little ones are entertained in the Kiddi Cinema!

Rows and rows of buggies, car seats, baby walkers, cots, high chairs… well, you name it and they’ll have it, are on display! It looks in the pictures a bit overwhelming but I can honestly say it isn’t and even though some thing are up high, everything is at ground and touchable level for you to play with. You can even just pick the boxed buggies up and take them to the till in lots of cases or if they’re not out you simply order at the computer and up they come to the pick up point. This is awesome! When I was pregnant I went to try a private service which had to be paid for, where someone took me round a warehouse and I got to do practically the same thing as in Kiddicare. You paid for one on one interaction with the staff member who knew everything about all the products and could advise what to buy. The service was good but expensive. I’d say what Kiddicare are offering is exactly the same with hands on and fully trained staff who are extremely attentive. The only difference is that you don’t pay for this service, it’s absolutely free and the environment is not like a warehouse but cosy and comfortable. Inviting really!

There’s also clothes, baby and maternity with high end and own brand offerings on offer. The own brand clothes from the Nutmeg range are adorable and so reasonably priced. I got Jimmy a gorgeous outfit which was in the sale and it cost me just over £3! Their prices are very low and if you find something somewhere else, be that on-line or in a shop, and it’s cheaper then they will not only price match but give you back 25% of the difference to say sorry! They shouldn’t ever be beaten because their prices are all digitally updated daily. No one goes round wasting time changing price tickets, they just change via computer which means they should be bang up to date and staff are free to serve but IF they are found to be selling something higher priced than someone else, an exact same product and make, then they are very happy to offer that service!

And that brings me on to my favourite service of all! The Pit Stop!

No matter where you bought your buggy or what make it is they have a buggy garage with fully trained buggy mechanics on hand to restore tired buggies to former glories! If they can fix your buggy on the spot they will but if they have to send away for parts then they will lend you a courtesy buggy for the time you are waiting. With the two brands they don’t stock they can’t offer to get parts for you but if they can fix it then they definitely will! If you have a puncture, I’ve been caught out before, or it’s something they can do without ordering from the manufacturer then they are very happy to oblige. For FREE! The only thing you might have to pay for, if they stock your buggy, is new parts. A full buggy MOT for FREE! Can’t say fairer than that now can you?

After all this shopping and browsing it was time to head back to the cafe for lunch!

Everything is visible and the choices are healthy yet yummy and not too badly priced either. Jimmy had loads of bits and pieces in his lunch box! Again you can make use of the play area and relax a little while you re-fuel!

After lunch we were treated to some entertainment in the ‘Event Room’. The evnt room is free for anyone to hire for a party or baby shower and they have recommended entertainers but you are by no means obliged to book them, They use Captain Fantastic during the week and he is available for party hire on the weekend. We were treated to a bit of a party by him and it was so much fun! It was really at this point I regretted not bringing Florence. I had thought she would be bored, a day of shopping doesn’t usually excite her. I realised early on she would have enjoyed herself but when Captain Fantastic did his thing I felt like crying with guilt at her missing it! There were songs, bubbles, magic and lots more fun! I was impressed with how gentle he was with the little ones and all of them were happily dancing away including Jimmy! He did make me a balloon animal to bring home for Florence so I felt slightly less bad!

 

After all that fun it was time to seriously snoop around the store and I liked all the extra bits I found! They’ve put so much thought and care into it and for parents of small children, not just people with new borns, there was much to offer! The baby gift servise is a fab idea for anyone with hands on guides to let you know what you might need if your a first time parent and the option to just choose the bits you’d like if you already have most of the things you need.

I liked the toilets where little people had been thought of, the feeding room which was perfect with comfy rocking chairs and water in a private environment and just little details on the wall which children would find fun!

 

And that was the end of our day! We’re already recommending it to friends and I’ve been talking to mum’s at the school gate this morning and Kiddicare has been a topic I’ve mentioned to not only them but my Dr who also has small children. He mentioned his buggy was broken so I couldn’t resist telling him about the pit stop!

We left after 5 hours of shopping with not a yawn in sight! A fab way of shopping and relaxing all in one, what could be better?

 

I have not been paid to write this post.