What are interviews for 2 & 4 yr olds like?

[diggerdigsdogs]

We are in Aus I should add but I'm interested in any advice as we don't know people to ask here.

Dd is 4 and has an interview for her first compulsory year of school. She is currently in Kindy (3 days a week, non compulsory,) at a local school.

DS is 2 and will (hopefully) at age 4 attend the kindy at the same school as Dd is being interviewed for (assuming they both get in).

They both have interviews for a private school next month and I have no idea what to expect. Each child has their own 30 minute interview with the head of prep. Both DH and I have to attend.

Wtf happens in these sorts of things?

Yes I know I can ask the school but I'd rather see what MN says first!

I don't know anything for Australia, but here is a web site for top London schools, and somewhere in the site is detailed information on interview criteria. I can't find it off hand, but if you search the various school links you may find helpful advice:

www.londonpreprep.com/

Our girls started school in Australia and from what I can remember, their 'interviews' were just a way for the principal to get to know us and for the girls to feel comfortable with them, and an opportunity for us to ask questions. It was all very relaxed. They were shown the classes and met other girls. It was a really good experience.
At the time it was just the older two starting, but I took our two year old along too. She spent her time running around the office and climbing all over the furniture and demanding my attention. A week later we received a letter saying how lovely it had been to meet us all 'especially the delightful DD3' and they still took her on two years later when she joined her sisters!

The most insightful comment I got on Mumsnet when I put DS1 through this was that the schools were looking for children who would be easy to teach.

DS1 was taken off with other children his age. Apparently they taught him to do a jigsaw which I think 3 year olds should be able to do - he was 2.9 at the time and I had not got round to jigsaws. He did not throw a tantrum at the prospect of leaving me to do this assessment. He did not get brought back out to me half way through his assessment because he was missing me so much. This is all I know about what he did.

Left in a room with other parents and the school secretary I busied myself finding other mums I might know so we could feign friendship in front of the secretary. The school was very big on "fostering a strong school community". Found 2 with similar aims. Ostentatious air kisses all round when we left.

DS had chosen his own clothes for the day. Shorts (on a cold London February day) and Thomas the tank engine wellies. Other children in ironed chinos and button down shirts.

He got a place.