Only 3 party RSVPs... help!

[Invisimamma]

My ds 4th birthday party is booked for next weekend but I have to let the venue know final numbers this week.

We invited 12 from nursery, I've had 3 replies (one of those to say they can't make it). What do I do? I don't know any of the parents, not even what they look like, it'st a list of dc the nursery teachers suggested he sometimes plays with. Do I assume they'll turn up on the day? I have no idea how many party bags to make or meals to order.

Also feel sad for my son if he only has a handful for children at his party. It's a small local softplay exclusive hire.

I also changed phones this week from iPhone to android (same number) so it is possible some messages could have been lost in the change over...

I can only find one of the parents on Facebook.

Can you ask nursery staff to remind parents to RSVP at pick up? Or stick a note on the door? Our nursery emailed parents on behalf of one of the parents recently when she realised she'd put the wrong number on invitations.

perhaps you could ask the nursery teacher for contact details? then send out a mass email just to check they can come.

Put a second note in their trays 'hope you got the invite & child is able to come to DS party, could you let me know by . My number is '?

I had this with a few nursery parents at my 4yo party but they responded to a second prompt.

Sorry about the weird bolding there...

We always get this, last time we had to pay for them before the party so I needed to know so I could fill and empty places. I ended up sending a reminder, worded in a way that read if you don’t reply and then turn up then your child will not be able to join in, but more politely! The replies came back quite quickly after that. Normally I just wait and see on the day but the party cost a fortune and I didn’t want to waste the places!

perhaps you could ask the nursery teacher for contact details?

Nursery teacher won't give out other parents' contact details. Or shouldn't, anyway. She could be in serious trouble if she did. Data protection/safeguarding.

Ok so maybe a should put another note in the dc trays? Never had this with dc1 as we knew all his friends parents well enough to chat in the playground or send a text!

Our nursery have a private Facebook group where the team leader posts reminders about birthday invites but before that they would say to parents at pick up, just a wee gentle reminder to let xx mum know if you can make party, maybe worth asking them to do that?

There is a nursery Facebook page but it's run by another mum, not all parents are on it and I could only see one of the invites on there. I'll message them though.

Also it's a large school nursery (60 children) we've only invited 12 so I wouldn't feel comfortable asking the staff to prompt parents, or send an email they seem busy as it is.