September born child - doesn't know anyone at new school. What to do about birthday?

[Tarsaurus]

Hello
My DS is September born and will be attending reception in September. His school starts the second week and his birthday is the third week. I am not sure what to do about a birthday party as he will know no one as he attends a nursery near my workplace in another town. Do I leave it until next year?

I am thinking of doing an activity like a play centre (or some other activity - suggestions?) and food at Pizza Express (hope they bring out a cake to music??) with two of his closest nursery friends and pay for the adults food too (I am friends with the mums and have had plenty of play dates).

I don't want to do a party for the rest of the nursery kids as last year, someone did do one for her child (also September born) and she got replies saying their kids has moved on and won't be attending.

Thank you

If you can stretch to a whole class party that’s a great way to meet all the parents. You just ask the teacher to give every child an invite (but make sure you specify they must rsvp to confirm they’re coming).

A small party with a couple of friends from nursery sounds great OP. I would leave bigger parties for older birthdays.

Low key but whole class. Everyone will appreciate the opportunity to get together and for the children to socialise. My GD is the oldest in her year but she had a party for the class. No point trying to hang on to the old friends who have gone to a different school. Maybe soft play with a sandwich, carton of juice and a cup cake? If you don’t want to make a party ask the teacher if you can send in a cake for everyone to share on Friday afternoon.

Your idea with two close friends sounds perfect. If you’re friends with the mums these friendships are quite likely to continue even though the children go to different schools and it’s nice to have some “outside school” friends. The year after he could have a whole class party or choose those classmates he’s closer to, depending on what type of party he prefers.

If you can afford then a whole class party for his new school class. It’ll be a great way to get to know everyone. And somewhere low effort for you, like a soft play. Maybe do it end of Sept so you’ve got time to do invites and get RSVPs.

I had the same as both my dc are September babies. We had a bouncy castle party at the local leisure centre and invited the whole class for both. As pp have said it’s a great way to meet people!

I just wanted to add that most of the kids minus my DS and two others kids are coming up from the pre-school attached to the school.
Doing a party for the whole class might result in the kids not actually playing my child but playing with each other, which my child will notice. Getting to know the parents is great but I’m worried about my child feeling left out at his own party.

2-3 weeks into term you’ve got bigger problems than a party if the other kids are all excluding your DS and not playing with him. I really don’t think it will be an issue at all and I’m sure he’ll have a big group of playmates by the end of week one.

Honestly they’ll all be friends by then and having a whole class party is a sure fire way of making friends! Push his party back a couple of weeks to give you a little more time to get the invites out on the class whatsapp etc if you like

I recommend hiring a hall and a bouncy castle and inviting the whole class plus 1-2 close nursery friends. Make loads of sandwiches and buy a load of fruit shoots. Send out invites 2 weeks before the party and treat it as a great way for you to get to know parents for potential future playdates. Mingle as much as practical while keeping drinks table topped up etc. When you send the "thanks for coming" texts, also suggest playdates to a few parents who seemed nice/chatty. This is a great opportunity to start your child's social life at school!