Taster days etiquette

[pombal]

Is it really bad form to do taster days at more than one school before making a final decision?

Or is the taster day really just to acclimatize DC once decision is made?

Currently looking at Prep schools for September and found two we like.

No, I would definitely do taster days at both as long as they will not be too stressful for DC.

However, bear in mind that depending on age of DC they will make their preference based on whether they meet another DC who they happen to like and whether they like what is for lunch that day.

This feels like a confounding of taster and induction. Taster round my way is an early stage thing and a kid might go to several to see what they think and perhaps narrow down the choices prior to assessments and interviews and of course final choice. Nothing wrong with that!

Acclimatisation is usually more about going to induction sessions and is post agreement. If you are at that stage and doing more than one then you might find that you have paid more than one deposit to get to that point. I suspect that with schools playing unpleasant games putting pressure on parents to accept offers before other schools have finished their processes that could become more commonplace. A few years ago I would have thought that was very bad form but having seen the antics around Oxfordshire I now regard it as a natural response to schools behaving badly. I have been fortunate in not being driven to that but the question “how many deposits have you paid for X” is being heard more.

Thank you for replies.

Lowdoorinthewal1 , so true.

It’s just hard to really know what to think on visits.
A taster day might give a bit more of an insight.
I wouldn’t want to waste the school’s time though.

They might do a taster day and not be offered a place as a result, for example if academically or socially they wouldn’t fit. It’s as much for you to get an idea of the school as it is for the School to get an idea of your child.

Good point trinity.
It’s also what I was thinking, I want the school to be sure they’re a good fit as much as us.