IKEA Exeter reopens free in-store creche

IKEA Exeter is re-opening its in-store creche service, Småland, for the first time since the pandemic
Parents and guardians visiting the store with kids aged 3–10 can use the service, free of charge, helping make shopping with young children easier
Soft play, arts and crafts, toys and games will all be available for little ones to enjoy during their time in Småland, which is open 10:00 - 17:00 Monday – Saturday, and 10:00 – 15:00 on Sunday from Friday 7th April
IKEA has also extended its kids food offer, with meals for as little as 95p available in store

IKEA Exeter has announced the reopening of its free in-store creche area, Småland, from Friday 7th April. It comes following the closure of the service in March 2020 due to the pandemic.

Rolling out the blue and yellow carpet, parents and guardians with children aged 3-10¹ can use the free service for 45 minutes when visiting the IKEA store. The wonderous world of Småland offers a fun and meaningful play experience for each child that visits. Featuring soft play, arts and crafts and toys and games, it provides a place for children to interact and play, whilst giving parents and guardians time to enjoy all that IKEA has to offer, with peace of mind that their child is happy and safe.

Småland is a safe and secure environment, with dedicated team members to care for all children. IKEA is working in collaboration with My Ohana, previously known as Tinies, following a partnership spanning 13 years. Bringing the world of play within IKEA stores to life, all My Ohana co-workers are trained in childcare practice with supervisory staff trained to at least NVQ Level 3 in Childcare. The organisation has been awarded Ofsted Outstanding and is nominated for a National Day Nursery Awards 2022.

While in Småland, children can play with a number of the children’s ranges IKEA has to offer. The recently launched BLÅVINGAD collection, which was created using findings from the IKEA Kids’ Advisory Panel 2020, includes select products which have been made from ocean-bound plastic and other recycled material. Perfect for a generation of eco-conscious children, products include a whale, turtle and penguin soft toys, and a wooden fishing game.

Parents can find Småland at the entrance of the Exeter store, with bookings only available for sessions once customers arrive at IKEA. All parents and guardians can book a child into Småland, but they must be over the age of 18. The same person who registers them for a session on arrival at the store must also collect them from their session.

IKEA has also extended its kid’s food offer, meaning children can get a full meal from as little as 95p². The offer, which is available until 31st August 2023, aims to help make mealtimes that little bit easier for parents.

Available daily from 11am, those visiting IKEA stores across the UK³ can pick up a kid’s pasta with tomato sauce, soft drink and a piece of fruit for only 95p. Usually priced at £2.20 for the dish, and £1 for a drink, the offer represents a 70% saving. All other children’s meals, including the likes of the Plant Balls with mashed potatoes, cream sauce and lingonberry and vegetable nuggets with chips and peas can be picked up for £1.50. With a piece of fruit and a soft drink also included, that’s a saving of over £2.

Joe Goldwater, Market Manager at IKEA Exeter said: “At IKEA, we believe in the power of play as a tool for children to explore the world around them, inspire curiosity and form meaningful relationships.

“We are delighted to be re-opening the doors to our free Småland service once again and working with our long-term partners at My Ohana to provide their expert childcare. Småland is a place where children can spark their creativity and imagination, by immersing themselves in endless play and fun with our fantastic range of toys.

“We look forward to welcoming parents and children to our stores and provide them with the opportunity to delve into the full experience of IKEA, with the peace of mind that their children are in a safe and playful environment.”

Customers can visit Småland for free from Friday 7th April 2023. The service will be available from 10:00 – 17:00 Monday – Saturday, and 10:00 – 15:00 on Sunday. Find out more about Småland here, including information about Småland reopening’s in our other stores.