Arranging a playdate via nursery?

[Monsoon92]

So I have a 2.5 year old DD who seems to have made a friend at nursery. I was thinking of arranging a playdate, but need some mumsnet help as I am socially awkward!

First question - is 2.5 too young for this? If so, what age do you start doing playdates?

Secondly - nursery currently do door drop-offs, so we can't go in due to Covid. I've seen the dad drop the friend off once in passing. Should I give a written invite or my phone number to the nursery staff to pass on? Is this weird? I don't know how many days she goes in and what their arrangements are so am literally going in with no information!

Someone help me as I love that DD has made a friend and want to encourage this as much as I can

That’s lovely
Yes, just give a note to the staff to pass on for you with your number so they can ring you if they want to

Lovely idea!

I think just write a little note and ask nursery to put it in friends bag, with your number etc on and asking for a play date.

I think trying to catch her parents at drop off/pick-up would be fine, or passing your number over via the nursery is also fine.

It's not too young to have playdates with the parents involved as well. It's too young for them to be dropped off for a play like you would at primary school. But asking to meet up for a play in the park/softplay is a lovely thing to do.

So I'm thinking of writing something like..I've noticed DD and friend play together a lot at nursery, and DD is always talking about her! Here's my number if you ever wanted to arrange a playdate with them. You're welcome round to our house anytime.

Is that okay? Toddlers are much better at this sort of thing than me it seems!

I never did play dates until school age unless I knew and liked the parents. Parents would have to stay so it’s as much a social thing for the adults as it is for the children. I’d totally ask a mum that I’d got chatting to in the nursery queue if they fancied a play date if we clicked and I knew the kids got on. I wouldn’t ask nursery to pass a phone number on to a family I literally knew nothing about.

@Monsoon92

So I'm thinking of writing something like..I've noticed DD and friend play together a lot at nursery, and DD is always talking about her! Here's my number if you ever wanted to arrange a playdate with them. You're welcome round to our house anytime.

Is that okay? Toddlers are much better at this sort of thing than me it seems!

Sounds fine to me!

@LakeShoreD

I never did play dates until school age unless I knew and liked the parents. Parents would have to stay so it’s as much a social thing for the adults as it is for the children. I’d totally ask a mum that I’d got chatting to in the nursery queue if they fancied a play date if we clicked and I knew the kids got on. I wouldn’t ask nursery to pass a phone number on to a family I literally knew nothing about.

I agree with this

This is exactly what I did and a decade later our DC are still best friends and the mum and I get on really well too. We've had some brilliant times together over the years.

That sounds fine,op
I probably would arrange an outdoor meet-up in a park, just so it’s more neutral

@insancerre

That sounds fine,op I probably would arrange an outdoor meet-up in a park, just so it’s more neutral

Agreed. Don't immediately invite to your house! Park after nursery is fine.

Thanks for starting this thread. I have a nearly 2 year old who defo has a nursery bestie and was wondering the same thing.

Thanks all, I'll suggest park first and hopefully it's a success!