Reviewed by B
Overall: Needs upgrading and cleaning real quick. Nappy change, feed, rest. Great parking for Parents with Prams.
Good Points: Parents with Prams parking spaces; Clearly sign posted Parent Rooms; Private feeding cubicles with lockable doors; Change bays in each feeding cubicle; Clean and working microwave; Big and little loo.
Bad Points: Overflowing nappy bins; Not very well cleaned; No paper towels; One sink for food prep and washing hands; Microwave next to main nappy change bench; Tired, worn out fittings and furniture; Open entrance to Parent Room.
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| Excellent parking for Parents with Prams – access via Stacey Street entrance |
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| Wide car spaces for Parents with Prams |
Bankstown is not one of our regular shopping haunts, mainly because it isn’t close to where we live. But I really do like it! I love the mish mash of cultures at Centro. From beautiful muslim women wearing the burqa, to me…white, short hair, singlet and jeans – all of us mums, regardless of outfit and nationality, shopping with our little ones.
And of course, the shops and the Parent Rooms. Centro Bankstown has loads of Parent Rooms! I only checked out one on this visit, which needs a lot of work. But I have not yet come across a shopping centre with so many Parent Rooms. Very very happy.
First up, the Parents with Prams car parks. These were in the best possible position. On the top floor of the car park accessible from Stacey Street. The Parents with Prams car spaces are wide, well sign posted, and positioned right next to the entrance to the shopping centre. Perfect!! Just park, get yourself, bub and pram out of the car and walk right in – get on the travelator and head down to the shops.
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| Follow the signs – just near the RTA |
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| And up the hallway you’ll find the Parents Room |
The Parent Room reviewed on this visit is the one located near the RTA, in the older part of Centro. It’s easy to find, just follow the signs. Head down the hallway, turn left, and on the right is the Parent Room.
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| The primary change bench – bin is overflowing! |
In this room, there’s facilities for feeding, nappy changes and a bit of a rest. But it really does need a bit of maintenance. I didn’t feel comfortable spending more than a couple of minutes here, and that’s because there isn’t an actual door to the room. I think many mums would prefer the added feeling of privacy of an actual door to the Parent Room.
The main part of the room has a single change bench. Underneath it is the nappy/rubbish bin, which was already overflowing and it was still the first half of the day. The two private feeding cubicles also have change benches (a nice touch!) but the bins in these were also overflowing.
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| Change bench in one of the feeding cubicles – bin overflowing here too! |
The good thing in this Parent Room is the lockable doors on the feeding cubicles. While the feeling of privacy is gone in the main part of the room from the lack of a proper door, being able to lock the door of your feeding cubicle is comforting. There’s a comfy chair in each cubicle, and one in the main part of the Parent Room. I was happily surprised with this! Although like the rest of the room, they need a good clean. Good thing us parents usually have a stash of wipes on hand.
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| Lockable door to private feeding cubicle |
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| Chair for feeding in each cubicle |
For food prep, the clean and working microwave is mounted on the wall next to the main change bench. Hygiene not a huge concern here, by the looks. The only sink, soap and hand dryer is on a wall next to the toilets. I would think the microwave would be better positioned next to the sink. Or have the sink next to the change bench. But definitely not the microwave and change bench next to each other – not nice.
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| Clean and working microwave |
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| The sink and toilets – just the one sink for food prep and hygiene |
I do like the loos. There’s a big one and a little one, so little people can do what they need to without much assistance. There’s loads of space in the toilets. Definitely room for a decent size pram. And the door can be locked from the inside, which is a big plus.
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| Big and little loo |
For a quick stop, this Parent Room is okay. I’m hoping the others in Centro are better than this one though. If you are heading to this room, make sure you have wipes, anti-bacterial gel for your hands, tissues, change mat, and also something to keep little ones entertained. And maybe nappy sacks too, because if the bins were this full during my visit and it wasn’t even midday…….I hate to think what the room is like by the end of the day.