I am desperately looking for good quality children's shoes for school and parties etc.

does anyone know if there are any shops that actually measure the children's feet.

I don't mind paying a premium for quality shoes or travelling a large distance to find them.

Someone PLEASE PLEASE help me find some shoes as I am in the midst of a real China frustration day searching for shoes for my children.

I gave up trying to find a shop which actually does a proper fit here. I've always bought my son's school shoes from Footstop in HK who do a proper fit. I think they do mail order as well and they have a guide on how to measure your child's foot so they can determine the shoe size. Hope that helps.

I've been looking before, and I found that
the best quality shoes (at least, close to those I could find in Europe) I've ever seen
is Crocodino (Italian design, Malaysian made) at Jiu Guang department store,
Children floor (Subway : JingAn temple station, Line 2). Ps. The staffs can't speak much English.

In fact, there are few good shoes among those mediocre shoes, you have gotta to find out.
Good luck with your search.

NOw I'm just trying to 'live with it'...

I know Naturino shoes are sold here. They are very comfortable and well-made shoes for kiddos.

Shanghai Orient shopping center F5, Caoxi north road No.8.
phone no. 0086-10-64353905

Henglong plaza 203A, No.1266 Nanjing west road
phone no. 0086-10-64353905

Meilongzhen Isetan department store F6, Nanjing west road No.1038,Shanghai.
phone no. 0086-10-64353905

CHIATAI department store F3, Lujiazui west road No.168,PuDong new district, Shanghai.
phone no. 0086-10-64353905

HuaTing Isetan department store F4, Huaihai zhong road No.527,Shanghai.
phone no. 0086-10-64353905

JiuGuang department storeF6, Nanjing west road No.1618, Shanghai.
phone no. 0086-10-64353905

Good luck!

How old are your kids? If they are under 10 then you may find something at a shop on Xiang Yang Lu (between Nanchang Lu and Fuxing Lu on the right if you are walking away from the XY Market) that sells export quality kids shoes. I have found Stride Rite shoes for my toddler there. They also have Timberland, Addidas, etc...(not knock-offs). The sizing is very sporadic but if you find something good it's a quality product at a great price. Not sure if it's worth a special trip to this shop, but if you are in the area then it's a good spot to check.