What to wear for a school interview?

[DaffyDuck88]

Toddler / we as a family have our first ever interview this week for a potential nursery place in 2016. Just occurred to me that they are vetting us, not just vice-versa.... what to wear? Smart casual? Dress as if for an job interview? Would it count against us if I'm not in a naice frock?? Should I be planning this with military precision or am I seriously overthinking the whole thing?

[AyMamita]

Wear Boden. It's what Sam Cam would do.

[burnishedsilver]

Overthinking.
You wouldn't want to send your child to an establishment that wouldn't have accepted him/her had you dressed more casually.

[Pedestriana]

Definitely overthinking - surely you're vetting them as potential caregivers to your child? I think I went in jeans and an Emily strange t-shirt.

[DaffyDuck88]

I am overthinking aren't I. Thanks MNers. Its a nursery place at a school, so once in then in theory you are guaranteed a place for Reception and beyond. I wasn't that stressed about it, think I generally look reasonably smart & professional - just had a friend ask me in a panicked voice what I'd be wearing and it sent me off in a spiral of 'will what I wear affect my DDs potential education!' Ridiculous really.

A SamCam I'm not - googling next for an Emily Strange t-shirt, why have I not got one already?

[Pedestriana]

Apparently I dress like someone half my age. Unfortunately my face doesn't quite fit the equation (or my hang-over post-CS belly) - then again, I don't really care very much.

I must honestly say though that until you brought it up, Daffy, it hadn't occurred to me at all. Let's hope when I'm doing the school run in Sept that the other parents will still be in their casual attire. I see a fair few pass the house and nobody seems terribly tailored and coiffured.

[DaffyDuck88]

Ah Pedestriana you made me laugh. I know only too well about the post baby belly.... Am sure the face is fine and a perfect fit - I'd say dress as young as you feel but that could end up with me in dungarees...... a lifelong yearning as yet unfulfilled. OH might actually disown me in public. DD might chuckle, possibly worth it for that alone! I much rather prefer seeing people dress how they like, as themselves, showing some personality rather than a standard uniform approach and in terms of regular school run I'm not the least bit bothered. (With curly unruly frizzy defiant hair and a longstanding dislike of too much faff & effort makeup, my general rule is that even if there should happen to be twigs in my hair, once my treasured lipstick goes on the look is intentional....blame it on an arts background).
It was just that first interview to meet the Head and see if DD even gets a place. Although thinking back - at the open day last year there were some mums in what appeared to be twinsets and pearls....don't own either. Maybe I'll do a Heidi and wear all my favourite things at once for luck! Or not...

Well, 'interview' happens today. So I'll report back later on the attire of choice and whether there was any jostling between parents in the waiting room.

[Pedestriana]

Good luck! We have 'parents evening' at nursery tonight. No idea what I'll be wearing as being a total slattern, at the moment, I'm still in my dressing gown.

[DaffyDuck88]

Ah, I've done a parents evening at DDs current nursery. They actually had us sit in the teeny weeny chairs, I feared I would have to buy it if I could get out of it at the end of the meeting.
Our big school nursery interview seemed to go well, we'll see if a place is forthcoming. DD was very well behaved and played with puzzles and toys. All very relaxed. Head was very professional and dressed impeccably. I opted for smart casual in the end, did wear a cardigan but it wasn't the one with holes in so should be ok. Due to expert timing no sign of any other parents in reception awaiting interview, so no idea if twinsets ruled supreme.

Hope your 'parents evening' went well Pedestriana!

[Pedestriana]

Thanks, it did. Apparently DD is at 55-60 months development level, and her key worker says she's "definitely ready for school". This, despite us being cramped on teeny chairs (like your experience) and DD interrupting us every 2 minutes to cuddle the key worker, ask us stuff and generally be chatty.

Sounds as though yours went well - well done for the hole-less cardi!