Noah's Ark Archives

Preparing for a haircut

Posted on 21/10/2021

Haircuts are not always fun for children as the unfamiliarity can be overwhelming. If its a first ever haircut in a salon there’s a new environment, a stranger who will cut their hair and your child has no idea how long the haircut will take. Even after the first visit, you may find that your child dislikes the buzz of the clippers, fears scissors near their head or they may dislike having their hair touched.

The stylists at Noah’s Ark are experienced with both the common and unusual fears and behaviours which many children experience. Katrina shares her helpful hints as to best prepare your child for their visit to the salon.

Consultations help us make the the most of your visit

Before you visit…

Complete the consultation form we send you so we can tailor your booking and understand any concerns you may have before you arrive
If you think it would help, arrange a visit so your child can familiarise themselves with the salon.
If it’s a first salon haircut, take away the mystery by reading storybooks about getting haircuts or through play, giving pretend haircuts to each other.
You can try getting your hair cut first and bring your child with you to watch
Schedule an appointment at a time of day your child is most calm – we can help by recommending a time when the children’s salon is quieter if this helps.
Consider what type of hairstyle may best benefit your child’s circumstances, e.g. a ‘buzz cut’ with clippers may be best suited than one that involves scissors.
Arrive in plenty of time for your appointment. Traffic delays, difficulties in parking (especially on market days!) can lead to stressed parents and late arrivals.

Once you’ve arrived at the salon, Katrina suggests…

Keep your child focused on something else by bringing a preferred toy, book or video to watch. We also have items available to share including tablets, TV and toys.
Your child can sit in your lap if needed – let us know what you think will work best
If the noise of the scissors or clippers bothers your child, speak to us about this – we don’t have to use both.
A private room is available if it helps to be apart from other families in Noah’s Ark and we can provide covers for the mirror on request.

Create a routine by visiting the same stylist on a regular basis

After the haircut:

Bring another top that your child can change into after their haircut – tiny hair remnants around the neckline can make someone itch like crazy!
Create a routine by visiting the same stylist on a regular basis. The familiarity and consistency will help build a greater level of trust and help to alleviate those fears.
Provide a reward directly after the haircut. We provide tasty treats for our youngest clients, but you could follow up the haircut with a trip to the playground, a visit to the grandparents or something else that they would love

It’s worth remembering that every child’s behaviour whilst having a haircut differs. We hope our suggestions help make your child’s next haircut less stressful or scary.

Antony & Patricia feature in Creative Head magazine

Posted on 03/03/2021

in News

With salon safety in the spotlight throughout 2020, earlier this year leading industry publication Creative Head reported on ‘safe spaces’ across the industry.

We were excited to read that Antony & Patricia was featured for our approach for creating a safe space for children. Our popular ‘Lifeboat’ sensory room demonstrates a way of how salons can be inclusive.

Thank you Creative ahead for recognising our efforts!

You can read the full article here

Visiting the salon during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Posted on 06/10/2020

in News, Coronavirus, Children

We want to reassure you that we will be following all government guidelines, and possibly beyond, to ensure the safety of our clients and team alike.

We appreciate that visiting the salon for most is a time to relax and be indulged and we will still do our utmost to achieve this. Please bear in mind that these changes are necessary and everyone must adhere to them. We ask that you read them carefully so that you are prepared so as to avoid any disappointment on arrival and during your appointment.

Be aware that we are located in ‘a Tier 3’ area. The government advice is not to travel in or out of an area when it is categorised as very high alert level.

Remember that all services are by appointment only. Do not visit the salon unless you have an appointment, we ask that you telephone us to make a booking. We are unable to accept any walk-ins.

All clients must ensure their contact details are up to date – these include a valid email address, phone number and address. We require these to manage your appointment, but also for test and trace or managing any localised restrictions within the area should this be necessary. You can read our privacy policy as to how we look after your data.

What you need to do when visiting the salon

Please do not bring any unnecessary bags or coats with you as we will not be able to store them.
We require all clients over the age of 11 to wear a face-covering in the salon & barbershop. This is because at times social distancing may be difficult and clients are coming into contact with people that they do not normally meet.
Please come on your own. We will not be able to accommodate any children/friends etc, unless they also have an appointment, as we have no waiting area.
Carers or guardians are of course welcome to attend an appointment with children, only 1 adult per 2 children unless there is a genuine care need when using the sensory room.
It’s important that you do not arrive until your appointment time as we will have no waiting areas available. You may be required to wait outside even if you are on time so please be prepared.
Please try to use contactless payment if possible to reduce contact with the card machine.
If you are late we may have to regrettably refuse your appointment.
Please visit the toilet before leaving home for your appointment to try to reduce the use of ours during your visit as much as possible.
Please do not self-select retail products, allow the team to collect from the shelves for you.
There will be no magazines available to read, so please bring any reading material with you.
Please be very honest with us if you feel unwell or if you have been in contact with anyone who has been unwell with any similar symptoms to COVID-19. If this is the case please do not visit the salon and inform us as soon as possible.
No drinks service will be available in the salon, however, clients may bring drinks in disposable containers.
We reserve the right to charge for no-show bookings.

Additional information for parents with children

This guidance must be followed in addition to the information above

Styling will be provided in ‘family areas’ where families can be together as a unit. These may not always be in Noah’s Ark
All toys, iPads, books, gaming systems have been removed and the playroom is closed. If you still wish your child to be occupied when they visit the salon, please bring your own items with you.
Some children may be distressed whilst having their hair cut, resulting in tears and runny noses! We ask parents to be mindful that whilst we can wear PPE and put other measures in place, this increases the risk for stylist working in close proximity to your child. If at any point our team do not feel safe, we will pause the service where we can, or ask you to return on another occasion. It’s also wise to bring tissues if this may be the case and that they are disposed of responsibly.
Regrettably, we are unable to accept bookings from children who when accompanied by a parent or carer, are still unable to understand and adhere to our health and safety measures. This decision of the child’s ability to adhere to our guidelines will be that of the parent/guardian, however, a stylist may also refuse a booking for a child e.g. a new client whom we have no experience, or pause the service at any point if they do not feel safe.