Category: Auburn

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Auburn NSW

Harvey Norman – 250 Parramatta Rd, Auburn NSW 2144

Overall: Stand alone parent room! Clean and basic. Nappy change, toilet, feed.

Good Points: Stand alone parent room. Change area separate from toilets. Spacious inside. Semi private feeding/change cubicles. Chairs. Paper towel, sink and soap. Nappy bins. Clean toilets. Clear signage.

Bad Points: Main doorway not big enough for double prams. Chairs aren’t very comfortable or suitable for feeding. 

Who would have thought a Harvey Norman Superstore would have a separate parents room? I certainly didn’t think there would be one. It’s probably not a big surprise to everyone else, but I was really excited to find it. When I think about it, families are probably going to spend a good hour or more in such a big store so it’s a a good thing there are toilets and a parents room. That way you don’t have to leave the store to look after the babies. Good thinking, Harvey Norman.

Coming up from the undercover carpark, underneath the store, I took the escalators to the first floor (which is ground level from the front entrance of the store). This is the furniture level. At the far end of the store there’s signs pointing to the toilets, and the sign also shows the baby symbol – this always gives me hope 🙂 So I headed off to check out the facilities, really only expecting to find a change table in a disabled bathroom. I was very happy to find a stand alone parent room! Yay!!!!

The doorway to the parent room is a regular size, so not good for bigger double prams.  Once inside the room though, it’s really quite spacious. The thing I like the most about this parent room is the complete separation of the toilets from the change/feed area. The first room I walked into is for changing babies and feeding. Then there’s another door which leads into the toilets. This is great!

I was surprised the fit-out of the parent room wasn’t more comfortable. Given that it’s within a furniture store, I was surprised to see a basic office chair and bar stool in the change cubicles. These chairs are fine to rest nappy bags, but aren’t at all comfortable for feeding babies. Wouldn’t there be a couple of last seasons armchairs floating around in the store somewhere that could be put in here for parents to use? Come on, there has to be something better than what’s in there now.

Chairs aside, this parent room is not all bad. The room has two semi-private baby change/feeding cubicles. Each has a bench bolted to the wall, which would be where babies are changed. There’s a chair in each one too (as mentioned above). There aren’t any curtains or doors on the cubicles, so BYO coverup if you like. The baby change section of the room also has a sink and paper towels, so you don’t have to walk through to the toilets to wash your hands after nappy changes.  And of course, there are a couple of nappy disposal bins just behind the main door as you walk in.

Overall, I think the store gets a big ‘thanks!’ from me for having a stand alone parent room, and for making it easy to find. It makes going out with little ones a whole lot easier.

Home » Harvey Norman - 250 Parramatta Rd, Auburn NSW 2144 » Harvey Norman Auburn
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Categories
Auburn NSW

Red Yard – 100 Parramatta Rd, Auburn NSW 2144

Overall: Okay. Basic, roomy but doesn’t feel too friendly…probably because it is kind of dark. Nappy change and feeding facilities available.


Good Points: Lots of room. Easy to find. Separate feeding room. Right next to Pumpkin Patch outlet store. Adult and child size toilets.


Bad Points: A bit dark and gloomy feeling. Just a single plastic chair in the separate feeding room. No soap. No microwave. 

Front door of the Parent Room

The entryway to the toilets and Parent Room – next to Pumpkin Patch

I’m not a huge fan of outlet shopping centres, but once or twice a year I do head to the Pumpkin Patch outlet at Red Yard, Auburn. And on this most recent trip, I remembered to check if there’s a Parent Room. So I’m very happy to report there is one! And the best part is it’s right next door to Pumpkin Patch. Yay!!!


Wall mounted fold out change table

Sink and extra powerpoints


At Red Yard, there’s not really any designated Parents with Prams parking, but it’s usually easy to get a park either undercover or out in the open without any hassles. During summer, I park underneath the shopping centre. Keeps the car shady and cool, and you can just take the lift or escalator up to the shops. Too easy!

Now facing Pumpkin Patch, the big blue double doors to the toilets and Parent Room are to the right of the store. Just go through the big blue doors and to your right is the red door to the Parent Room/Baby Change Room. 

Single chair in the feeding room


There’s a fair bit of room in there, but not much of anything else. On the wall behind the door is the wall mounted fold out change table. It’s clean and functional, with a nappy bin underneath it. Along the back wall is the bench (so you can keep the nappy bag off the floor) and sink, with a couple of extra powerpoints. 

The feeding room is in an unmarked door to the left. It’s actually more of an unused storage room with a single plastic chair in it. Personally, I’d feel more comfortable feeding my little one either in the car or at one of the cafes. 




On the left you’ll also find the door to the toilets. Inside there’s both an adult size and child size toilets. Just the one sink though, but that seems to be fairly common. 

Basically it’s an okay setup for nappy changes and toilet visits. But for feeds or to have a rest, I’d recommend going to one of the cafe’s, or maybe even head across Silverwater Rd to Macca’s so the little ones can play. But it’s good to know there’s a cool and quiet nappy change room on hand when you’re outlet shopping.









Categories
Auburn NSW

Krispy Kreme – Cnr Parramatta Rd & Silverwater Rd, Auburn NSW 2144

Reviewed by B


Overall: Basic, but everything is at a good height and position. Nappy change in disabled bathroom. High chair in restaurant.


Good Points: Door is easy to open and can be locked from the inside so there’s no chance of being interrupted mid nappy change. Low height toilet, sink and handryer. Sanitary bin is against the wall – yay!!


Bad Points: Nothing too major. The soap dispenser is a little high for little ones. No paper towels. I could only see one highchair in the restaurant, but it’s a donut shop so you’re not really likely to sit down for a full meal. 

Wall mounted fold out change table


After an eventful morning trying to find a particular destination, my little one and I were both in a cranky mood and needed something to cheer us up – quickly! I knew Maccas and Krispy Kreme were on our side of the road on our return trip, so pulled in there with the intention of getting a happy meal and some playtime. BUT the golden arches restaurant was closed for construction – only the drive thru was open and we’d had more than enough of sitting in the car for one day.
So what did we do? We went right next door and into the cool, relaxed, sweet smelling Krispy Kreme. Right away we both felt rested. Must be the sugary love floating around the air hahaha!
Anyway, first things first….we headed to the toilets to see what Krispy Kreme had provided for mums and bubs.

Inside the restaurant, to the left, is the door leading to the male, female, disabled/baby change toilets. This first door could be a pain to open, being one of those swing pressure doors. But the door for the disabled/baby change toilet is easy. Push the handle down and push open the door, and it will stay open until you shut it behind you. Don’t have to worry about leaning your body or pram against it as you shuffle inside. It’s a pleasure to have a normal door for a change.

Nice, clean change table with straps to keep bub safe
In the top right corner of the bathroom is the wall mounted fold out baby change table. It’s clean, good height and has two nappy bins right underneath it. For little ones who are using the toilet, being a disabled bathroom the loo is actually at a decent height! And the safety/mobility rails will actually be helpful for little ones to get on and off the toilet. 
Two nappy bins under the change table

The sink is at a good height for little ones to wash their hands but they may need to be on tippy toes or get a boost to reach the soap dispenser. There isn’t any paper towels for drying hands, just an auto hand dryer. If your little one is a bit scared of the noise those things make, be prepared for it. I sometimes get freaked out by them when the nappy bag swings past and sets it off. And little ones are just the right height to fit under them and have the signal click into full swing. Kind of funny but not at the same time.


Low level sink and hand dryer


Low height toilet with safety/mobility rails


We didn’t take the pram in with us because a good old leg stretch was needed for both of us, but it is a decent enough size bathroom to fit one in. It’s meant to fit a wheelchair so it should also cater for a pram. The hallway leading to the bathrooms may be a bit snug, but the bathroom itself is fine.

The highchair

So after checking out the bathroom, it was treat time!!!! Oohhhh the donut selection is a minefield. No point in even trying to figure out which is the healthiest option – just pick one already! Squirt made the decision for me, some chocolate coated caramel filled concoction – v delicious. We found some comfy, yet a bit tatty, chairs and hooked into our caramel-packed happiness filled food. I think it was a combo of the disastrous morning we had had and feeling well tired that made the donuts taste sooo good. Now I should let you know I could only find one highchair! But like I said in the good points/bad points…….you’re probably NOT going to have a sit down meal here so I don’t think it’s a major problem. However if you are wanting to use one, it’s clean and has straps to keep your angel in place. So go check it out!