Charging for babies in soft play centres - is it fair?

[tigwig]

Today I took 2 children to a soft play centre and it cost me £10. I was then told I would be charged another £1 for my baby as he is over 6 months even though he isn't crawling, wasn't really going to play for more than 5 mins and was actually asleep in a pushchair at the time! Obviously the amount isn't the issue but the principle of it, in my opinion, is wrong. Once they are cruising or walking fair enough but a sitting baby? Do your local play centres charge and do you agree?

[dotty.]

If that's what they charge they must have done a costing on the insurance and runnin cosrs etc and worked it out at that, it is a buisiness after all.

[lotsafun]

insurances for these type of buisnesses are sky high so therefore they have to charge everyone, even younger children afterall they do have a buisness to run. It does seem unfair but even babies can be involved in accidents so they have to cover themselves if this does happen

[tigwig]

So is this only to do with insurance then as younger babies were also playing who wouldn't have been charged. What about them? I thought their insurance would cover everyone regardless of whether they have been charged or not.

[jedimistress]

£5 for the children and a nominal fee of £1 for the baby doesn't sound too bad to me.

[bednobs]

hi, i would guess they have a blanket policy that babies over 6 months get charged. By your own account, the baby was going to be playing (even though he was asleep for a bit) so i don't see why you shouldn't pay for him.

[annie0000]

I guess they charge 'cos they can - it is an nominal charge so people don't get so annoyed that they dont come, but is a bit of extra income. There must be loads of people who have younger kids who use the softplay for the older ones - that revenue will add up.

[tigwig]

I suppose you're right, I'm just a tight cow! It's quite a new thing thats all and I'm sure it's great for the centres making extra money but not for me when everything is going up apart from my earnings. Not that I really object to the price it's the principle when he was bloody asleep, then in a highchair then 'played' for 10 mins.

[joko]

yes but thats just on that occasion...on another day he might have played much longer...i think £1 is a very fair price...its not their problem if your child doesnt make full use of the facilities...they are running a business...