"Toys in the water! Why not!!"

A review of Leicester Leys Leisure Centre by Mrs Pam Farmer written on Thursday 8th of January 2009

Have, in the past, taken another grandson to Wigston pool on a Thursday morning for the "Parent/guardian Baby/toddler" session. The venue is obviously much older and less smart that B/L, but, I have to say that I found it much more "Child friendly". Toys were always thrown into the water---though the session was just an hour.(Which meant that the staff had to quickly fish them all out again before a 50 pluss session at 11am.) I often brought a ball along--which I sometimes had to rescue, as it got swept up with all their toys! They also had a small soft play area, which was completely free, and there were tables near by so that you could have a snack with your child and also the kiddie could have some fun in the soft play area. At B/L there are no toys(inflatables etc) in the water at the 12-2pm session, despite this being billed as a "Parent and Toddler" session. So---we--being Grandma and Grandad--brought along a ball to add fun to our time with Jacob (23 months). But we were dismayed, and astonished, to be told that balls were not allowed! What!! Amazingly Jacob responded well--as I had promised him all morning that we would be playing with the ball in the pool!

My question is---WHY!!! It is billed as a "Parent and Toddler" session, so why is it not more child friendly? The changing facilities are lovely but the attitude within the pool setting seems to lack a lot! I remember at Wigston one of the staff often coming over and talking to those of us in the water with young children, and giving us ideas to help the kiddies become more water confident. Have never had such an experience at B/L. Yes, I guess it is not actually on the adjenda--but I do not think it was at Wigston--they just cared a bit more! Certainly there was nothing as we booked to say that there would be advice and help re water confidence.

Perhaps something to think about!! You have lovely facilities, much warmer pools for a start, than Wigston was a real challenge as it was usually quite cold. So----why are you not more young child friendly? At least, that is how it feels, as folk who have been a number of times now. Dissapointed in your approach to the very young, and their carers.

Best wishes, Grandma and Grandad,

Pam and Roger Farmer.

Evington, Leicester..

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