Ixworth mum launches World of Play in village High Street to 'stimulate children's imaginations and support their development'

A mum-of-two has seen her dream come true after opening a new multi-featured play centre

Louise Mason, 29, opened World of Play on Tuesday in Ixworth High Street. At the site of the former Rambling Rose cafe, the play centre features a range of equipment from role play areas, to baby rooms and a sensory room.

Louise, who lives in the village near Bury St Edmunds, is a qualified early years teacher and was excited to open her dream project this week.

“I have had the concept for the play centre in my head for years and to see my dream finally come true was amazing,” said Louise, 29.

“It’s for children aged up to seven and at the moment I can host about 20 at a time, and that will grow to 30 when I am up and running. Parents are welcome to bring their children from all over the area and they can have a coffee, a cake and a chat, too.”

World of Play features a range of a range of facilities for children of all abilities. There will also be sessions for children with special needs once a month.

“I wanted to create somewhere for children to stimulate their imaginations and support their development,” said Louise, who has two children, Brody, eight, and Summer, four.

“There’s so much research proving how important it is to give children the freedom to be creative and messy – but parents don’t always want that happening in their own front room. World of Play features a role-play area, with a scaled-down mini-supermarket, children’s café, and playhouse. A baby room filled with wooden toys including a giant doll’s house, a reading den and comfy sofas.

“There’s also a sensory room with birdsong playing, light clouds on the ceiling, sensory toys, bubble tubes and a light table, and a messy play room with art supplies, easels, sensory play trays, and a huge sink for getting clean again

“Finally, we have a large garden for outdoor play with a balance beam, bikes and ride-ons, football pitch, stage area with instruments, sandpit, huge mud kitchen, water play area, and buggy park.

World of Play will hold two hour sessions between 4pm and 6pm on a Monday, 9.30am to 11.30am and 12.30pm to 2.30pm on Tuesday to Friday. Parents or carers can book online at www.worldofplay.co.uk. A two hour session costs £10 per child, with no fee for parents.