Easy there now little tiger (Easy Tigers Play Centre (Chesterfield))

Member Name: Happyjaw

Product:	Easy Tigers Play Centre (Chesterfield)
Date:	01/10/08 (370 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Probably the biggest play frame I've ever seen.

Disadvantages: Ridiculous cost

My first impression as I walked in was of battery farms, which sounds awful but I immediately saw a whole wall of what appears almost like cages against the wall.
On closer inspection it's easy to see that this is the separate elements of the play frame which adjoin one another. Each netted with yellow nylon rope for safety.
My children and charge quickly darted off to the generous ball pool and joined in the fun.
The bumph on the table tells you that Easy Tigers is the biggest play frame in the UK, which is entirely believable, my kids still weren't bored after 3 hours.
There are 3 levels upon which the equipment is laid out, all visible from the seating area where parents tend to relax and supervise.
Multiple slides of various widths and lengths, tunnels, climbing challenges, physical and mental development opportunities and fun all round. There are also ride on toys and there's a baby area entirely separate from the toddler and bigger kids play area.
Easy Tigers has a toddler group several mornings a week in term time, though we did not attend one of those sessions.

There are toilets with step stools for little ones, making toilet trips a breeze. There's only one baby change room which seems somewhat lacking as people tried to come in several times whilst I was changing my toddlers.

There's a cafe which serves the usual range of drinks and snacks, though at somewhat over inflated prices in my opinion. We didn't eat there as the entry fee of £3.25 per child (x3) without concession for multiple birth families etc was cost enough. We did have a jug of squash at £1.40. Still a huge mark up but cheaper than the bottled contours.
The same company have a nursery next door and between the two there is ample parking, though I suspect it might be heaving at 6pm ish.

The seating area is much like a cafe, 4 seats to a rectangular table but no sofas like in Kidz Kingdom or Run Around.

The changing facilities stank. Fair enough, this is likely anyway, but it reeked and there was no lid on the bin. The rim of the sink was brown with filth though the rest of the changing room and disabled loo was clean. No lid on the disabled loo, which is frequently the case but unhygienic when flushing.
It was entirely unclear as to which bin was meant for nappies, I went for the stinky option. There is a sign telling you only to use 'this' bin, but no bin beneath it. Pretty useless.

When I asked about the discounts and mentioned my charge, the staff member laughed, until I pointed out I was very serious. Most play centres offer discounts for childminders/carers etc and some facilities offer discounts for larger or multiple birth families. I didn't expect to be laughed at and was unimpressed.

It wasn't easy to find and would be better signposted off the main road and the industrial estate it is sited within.

At the main counter and at the front of the cafe counter there are tiger jelly lollies, basically like a giant tiger shaped jelly baby on a stick, covered in icing and sugar and on sale for the gross temptation of kids. Now I know it's a business a profit to be made but with the everlasting effort towards healthy eating this is a poor example and a low blow to those who don't want their kids eating such rubbish.

My kids were happy there and I'd take them again. It's just such a shame that the cost is prohibitive, furthermore it's £4.95 after school hours, which is shockingly high for 2 hours play.

My reviews do appear on other sites.

Summary: SUperb play opportunities but at a cost