Playdate etiquette?

[KoreanBeauty]

DC is in reception and we have been invited to the first home playdate. I don't know the parents at all (she got my number from the class Whatsapp group) but the kids seem to get on well at school. What is the etiquette for these types of playdates? Should I bring food or something as we are visiting their home? I assume I am meant to stay? I don't want to leave my child at home with strangers!
I know it's silly to ask here but I have never done this before!

Don’t assume you are meant to stay. You may not be, so maybe ask. If they say “no just drop” you can then ask if you can stay as your child is a bit nervous. Mine are early 20s now but everyone dropped off from reception age onwards, including parties, but it sounds like things have changed since. You could bring a small cake for a you and the host maybe, if you are staying, in answer to your question as to what to bring.

At reception age I found that some parents stay and some don't. It's probably worth checking - the other mum may be assuming that you will drop off and the kids can amuse each other while she gets some stuff done! Take some biscuits as a gift.

I've always had clingy kids that want me to stay for playdates at this age. I think generally it's stay first time, then if kids feel okay with it they can go on their own. It's weighing it up for each child/situation basically.

Sometimes I take something to share eg some chocs, but not always. If you have a super picky child take them a snack in your bag just in case. Another good tip is to take something like a little treat for home time that they can have when shoes and coat are on as they go out the door (and one for host child too) as it saves lots of "I don't want to go home" fuss.

From my point of view as have been there before, I’d text and say would you like me to drop and go or stay? Happy to do either I also wouldn’t take food or a gift the best thing you can do if you can is invite the friend back for a play date at yours another time after, my dd had lots of friends for play dates and only 2 parents offered a play date at theirs x

First of all I would clarify with the other parent what their expectations are. When my dc were school age if invited someones child for a play date I was expecting to collect that child with my own and take them back to my house and for a parent to come and collect them after dinner about 5.30/6pm.
Unless I specifically got on with the child’s parent I wouldn’t have expected or wanted the parent to attend too. If my child was invited for a play date I assumed the same setup and just asked what time I should pick them up and what their address was.

This is an invite for the weekend, not after school. I don't even know what this person looks like to I feel uncomfortable leaving my child there for the first time. He is also a bit clingy.

I'd ask if it's ok for you to stay as they may be expecting you to drop and go.

If you do stay it's always nice to take something for everyone to snack on. I think fruit is the best option, but other people will bring cakes/biscuits/rice cakes.