WWYD - child's 5th birthday two weeks after starting in Reception in September

[Tare]

I'm looking for ideas on this one as it must have come up hundreds of times before!

My daughter starts school in September. Her birthday falls at the end of her second week. What would you do about a party?

If it makes a difference she is very sociable and has had a tight knit friendship group at pre-school. We've had parties for her 3rd and 4th birthdays. She absolutely loves parties - hers and others.

The complicating factor now is that we have recently moved so she no longer has local friends from pre-school etc that we could invite for a smaller thing.

It feels too soon to be trying to sort a class party but I could do something like this at a later date potentially. I'm not convinced though. My preference would be a smaller thing - day out or similar? But I feel like this could make her feel sad about the move and the fact she has left that friendship circle behind.

So WWYD?

My child's birthday is right at the start of September, he had a big 6th birthday party in year 1. I couldn't do it for reception as I didn't know anyone and the 6th birthday party was 2 weeks after his actual birthday so I could hand out invites, so I understand!

In regards to invitations though you could just ask the teacher for the number of children in the class and then order that amount of invitations without having to write names on each one. As long as you're inviting the whole class the teacher can just ensure that each child gets one. Then make a list of who is coming when people RSVP

Invite the class. Great way to get everyone's numbers!

Im in a similar dilemma OP!

DD turns 5 literally the day before term starts (prob the oldest in her year!) and I’m in 2 minds as to whether to just do a small ish party with her pre school/ local friends or bite the bullet and attempt a class party - WhatsApp group has already been set up for those going up from pre school so I could invite people on there.

Thing is, this year they are doing a 2 form entrance as there are lots of applicants outside catchment / who aren’t at pre school - so obviously a significant chunk aren’t on the WhatsApp group.

I might just invite those who are in the group - but numbers will be so up in the air until people RSVP so wont know what to book. Argh!!

Sorry to hijack your post OP, hope your DD has a great party :)

One of my dc has their birthday within a week of school starting.
They always had their party early in October, initially to give everyone chance to settle in (don't forget, some schools do staggered starts, some do Teachers visiting homes, some do very much part time starts in September).
It gave them chance to get to know people and decide who to invite.
It then carried on like that - initially to give chance to get invitations sorted, etc, but then they just enjoyed spreading their birthday out over 3 weeks or so

Great idea OP, at least you'll have time to chat to people. I'm sure it will be a success and parents will be grateful for the chance to meet.

Class party, something hassle free. Ball pit or something Do it end of Sept