Would nursery classmates come to a third birthday party if parents do not know us?

[hb97]

My daughter attends a local nursery but we don't see other parents much as it's open from 7:45 to 18:00 so everyone drops off and picks up at different times. We're thinking of inviting her class mates to her third birthday party but want opinions on if parents are likely to take their children to a birthday party if they don't know the child or parents at all? We're thinking a soft play / hall hire situ where parents can stay throughout so not like they'd be leaving their children unattended in our care.

Yes, I would think so. Parties are a way of getting to know other parents, and yes they would expect to stay with children this young.

Some will come, I'm sure.

I didn’t know any of the parents at nursery, we still invited some of the children and they came. Assuming the parents are staying with the child I can’t see the issue. This was at soft play places.

I waited until 4 for nursery parties, so the children's opinions would have more sway. I think 3 is a little young but it could be a good way to get to know people.

Yes. How else would I ever get to meet parents when collection times dont match?!

I wouldn't bother. It's too young to be worried about expensive parties. Enjoy your child's birthday without the added drama.

Isn’t that how people get to know one another?

My son started nursery at 2. A few parents (us included) invited nursery kids to parties and a few always came. It’s a lovely way to get to know some of the parents.

I hosted many parties...

I would hold.off until older. Tegu will soon be at different schools, and they are costly. I can assure you, once you start you will have don't many a church hall and soft play....

We went to parties of nursery friends that I didn’t know. Most started for their 4th birthday party.

Yes definitely, I’m inviting DD nursery friends. The nursery are giving me a list of 10 kids (my choice), so not the whole class.

We had a party for my daughter's 3rd birthday and invited her closest friends from nursery and we didn't know many of the parents. It was ideal for getting to know the parents as everyone drops off and picks up at different times so no chance to really chat!

Yes sure they will come! The least you can do is ask anyway. My little ones didn't have many parties in nursery but I always took them when they were invited even though at first I didn't know any parents, it's lovely for the kids to play with their friends and it's a good way for parents to get to know each other.

when it was my kids' birthdays I invited their nursery friends regardless of whether I knew the parents, again it's a nice way to get to meet them.

Yes I hardly ever knew the kids or parents but always went to parties if we could. Same when she had a party, she always had a gd attendance at birthday parties even though we had no idea who half the kids and parents were. This was how I got to know quite a few of the parents though.

Yes. I would say most parties at nursery age involve a lot of parents who don’t know each other.

my son is 4 and goes to a private nursery with the same opening times. Since he was 3 we must have had about 20 birthday invitations, it’s very common

I’ve just taken my 3yo to a nursery child’s party. It was lovely of them to organise and invite my child, though it was awkward as it was in their back garden and no one knew one another. The kids had a fab time though.

Yes, we had one for my daughter's 3rd birthday and asked the preschool to give us 15 or so names of her friends that she plays with the most. They actually took the time to sit down with my daughter and make a list with her, they were so good! Then we sent named invites to the list and the preschool staff put them in the kids' bags.

We had a party when my son was 2 and lots came. Just tell them they have to supervise their children at all times.

Yes definitely!! It's basically the way that you get to meet other parents and say hello.

We got an invitation to a 3rd birthday party of a nursery friend of DD’s and I rolled my eyes. Then I realised it was a Saturday afternoon of a weekend DH was on a stag do and I might as well go along. There were a whole load of us standing around fairly awkwardly but I think we all quickly realised it was actually nice to put a face to the names of their nursery friends, interesting to find out that we all found one aspect of nursery life frustrating, had a few other gripes but generally thought it was a pretty good set up and then move on to talk about a whole bunch of other things. DD is now 17, I still socialise with the nursery mums and the girl who had the party is still one of DD’s best friends and her mum is one of my closest friends in the village. I’d say go for it!

My DC recently turned 4 and received many invites to birthday parties. I took him to every one I was able to even though I didn't know anyone as it was a good opportunity for him to have fun with his friends. I doubt I'm the only one! I've had children attend ours whose name I hadn't heard of/DC hadn't mentioned them I just asked nursery to select X friends and it was fine.

Yes, of course.

Plenty of wine and everyone will have a great time, have it at home this time tho save the expense for when they're older

I took my dd to two nursery parties. Didn’t know either set of parents

Speaking from experience, yes they come. My dd's 3 party she invited 11 from nursery and they all came with their parents.