Play facilities now open for freedom and frolics
CHILDREN’S play areas were one of the last places to open after lockdown in 2020 – but parents and business owners alike are pleased that they haven’t received that same treatment this time around.
Soft play areas in Wales were allowed to reopen their doors to children on Monday, in line with the reopening of indoor hospitality and other entertainment venues.
But what kind of experience can children expect at the adventurous play zones and how much has Covid changed that?
At Jump, in Llanishen, Cardiff, the experience for children will be entirely the same, with some added health and safety measures to help keep Covid at bay.
It is mostly parents who will notice the changes that they have introduced, such as social-distancing markers, masks for adults, restrictions on the numbers in toilets, a reduction in capacity and temperature checks at the door.
Jess Manners, manager at the venue, said that despite all the added challenges for the staff, the reopening day went really well.
She said: “It was really good. We were pretty much almost fully booked, it went really well. It was nice to see the kids running around and a bit of normality because it has been such a weird year. It went better than I thought!
“The children are really excited and so are parents. They are happy to be able to come somewhere and let their kids run around and meet up with friends. The cafe is open for tea and cake, it feels good.”
You may be wondering how a place like soft play can be maintained in a Covid-safe way. Jump has taken the extra precaution of closing in between sessions to clean all the equipment and children’s toys.
This means that the venue is closed for an hour between each two-hour session, being closed for up to three hours of its working day.
“Staff clean during the sessions, it is just that extra thing we have decided to do to make sure customers feel comfortable coming back,” added Jess.
There is also an online booking system, which means for now customers can’t just turn up on a day to attend a session.
The play area is also running at less than half capacity, with around 160 children allowed in a two-hour session, compared to what would ordinarily be around 360 children.
However, Jess said the business still hopes conditions will return to normal soon, and hopes it will start with a reduction in social-distancing measures.
“That is what we are hoping for in the long term. We have a lot more to think about now. We would love to have free play again, pay as you go, but for now it is nice to be able to get everyone back. And we definitely still have spaces left for this week.”