Stay & Play — Attraction in Basildon

I went here for the first and last time with my friend and two year old son about a month ago. It was a busy day as it was the Easter holidays. Despite this it was a lovely atmosphere and a clean place. There is a gate at the front of the soft play where the reception area is and you need to buzz to get in and out. A member of staff was standing by the gate talking to a customer however she had the gate wide open whilst doing so for a long length of time. Luckily I am a parent who always sticks close by their child because my son ran straight through the gate! I shouted ‘you left the gate open!’ And grabbed him before he ran out to the car park to be run over! The girl didn’t even apologise or acknowledge me I am disgusted! I paid for a tea just after to calm me down and I told an older lady in black behind the counter. She did listen to me however there was no ‘sorry’ or ‘who was it I’ll make sure they know how serious this was and are told firmly not to be so careless.’ If she wasn’t the manager (I’m unaware) then she could’ve offered to get them.... I walked away in disbelief I literally can not believe that no one was outraged at this silly girl standing leaning up against the gate chatting chewing gum disregarding the safety of the children in the building. I didn’t even bother to call and complain what’s the point the customers and their children clearly don’t matter as long as the coins are rolling in! Will avoid, very upset and disappointed that the safety of my son was...

Me and my little boy (nearly 1) went to Stay and Play on Sunday 12th, this was my first and will be my last time going. I wanted to try this place out as the sensory room looked interesting and he loves lights etc. Got there and was told the sensory room was shut despite this information not being stated on the website, if I had known that I actually wouldn’t have gone. Secondly the “baby” area was not the best, the toys were very limited, and most of them broken (example there was a toy shopping basket with one handle, another toy what looked like a door frame of some sort was broken, nearly fell on my little boy if I hadn’t of caught it) not to mention the smallest little section with barely any space for them to move. Whats meant to be the baby bit that has jumperoos in it all the older kids were jumping in and out of which is unfair to little ones who might get hurt, parents should be keeping an eye making sure they aren’t in there, there is more to do for them then this is the littler ones or there should be a separate area for younger toddlers. I left about about 20 minutes. All the kids were just running up and down screaming and my boy spent half the time crying and hes always very happy and loves soft play. Lastly I know this can’t be helped as the car park was small but I could barely get my car out of it, it’s a big family car and had to go back and forward numerous times to get out without hitting other vehicles. I’m very disappointed with my experience, complete...

After visiting today for the first time I can only think they were over booked, it was absolute carnage!!! Parking was hell and ate into 15 minutes of my time slot. I eventually parked a few roads away and walked. Amongt the madness the kids were playing but I couldn't take my eye off my 1 year old what with so many of the older kids running wild. We sat to eat the kids lunches and was shocked that we couldn't feed them their home made lunch, of course we would have ordered for ourselves but didn't have the option as we had to feed the kids their lunches in the carpark. Once we went back in, we were told the table had been cleared as they thought we had left. We sat at another table closer to the softplay to try and see through the madness, only for a member of staff to pull the table away from us (and run a chair over my friends foot) stating that it was for yet MORE arrivals. We had ordered coffee's at this point and had to stand to drink them as we felt unwelcome everywhere else. The carpet was covered in food from the vacated tables, which isn't ideal when you're in your socks. Between us all we have visited a lot of softplays, and never experienced something so manic yet so strict. I can safely say I would not visit again...