Tag: Parramatta Road

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! 





Categories
Lidcombe NSW

Power Centre Lidcombe – 92 Parramatta Rd, Lidcombe, Sydney

Overall: Nappy change, feed, rest & play. Good facilities.


Good Points: Roomy, with all the essentials you need. Massive Parent Room, Good size playground. Heaps of bench space. Lounge so you can have a rest. Lockable toilet with big and little loo (matching big and little sinks).


Bad Points: Parent Room is on a different level to the playground and baby stores. No microwave or bottle warmer. Cold, grey and harsh lighting.


Yes, I love visiting Spotlight. No, I am not an old lady (well not in the grey hair, bingo playing sense anyway). When winter hits, I do love to get out the crochet needles, wool and begin creating a new blanket.
So when I need more wool for my latest crochet project, I usually head to my local Spotlight store in the Lidcombe Power Centre on Parramatta Rd.



Check out the above centre directory: 

Level 1 – Bubs Baby Shop, Spotlight, Discount Party Warehouse  – pretty much all the places mums would go with their little ones. The indoor playground is also located on Level 1, along with the male and female restrooms.


Ground Level – Anaconda, Oak Furniture, Workout World, Food Court etc – not much baby/child related here, except for the Parent Room (and more male & female restrooms). Seriously, does anyone else think this is mad? At least have the indoor playground on the same level as the Parent Room.
Wouldn’t that be a sensible idea? I would have thought so. But clearly the designers and decorators of this place didn’t think.




The play area is pretty good. Fenced in with the standard child-safety gate. It’s long and narrow, but the upside is your little ones can get some exercise running from one set of equipment to the other. 


The Parent Room is big, basic and boring. You’re definitely not encouraged to stay there for any longer than is absolutely necessary. From Level 1, take the Lift to Ground Level, turn left when you get out of the lift and left again down the corridor.On your left you’ll find the Parents Room.




    
My thoughts on the Parent Room: it does the job. If you want to get in and out of there pretty fast, this is the Parent Room you want. Nothing to keep the little ones entertained in there. This Parent Room is functional, efficient, and definitely not somewhere you’ll probably want to spend any more time in than is necessary.
My thoughts on the whole centre: has what you need, but in the wrong places. Makes the shopping experience more complicated than it should be.