Playdates when your child goes to a village school, but you don't live in the village

[yellowsunflowers]

Hello!

Just wondering what other parents do in similar situations.

My 6 year old son goes to a village primary school 8 miles away. I work part time. That combination makes arranging play dates very challenging.

I worry that my child is missing out on the social side of school as he can't just pop round to his friends' houses - it's a 20 min drive. I worry that all the children in the village see each other a lot more and he is therefore a bit of an outsider (this is my worry, he has never said anything, but he is v young). I also have no idea how many play dates, in say a term, would be 'normal'/'healthy'?

I'd be really grateful for any advice/tips as I worry a lot about this.

Thank you.

With my son and daughter, on the day of the play date, they are collected from school by their friend's parent, taken to their friend's house and I collect them after tea (6-6.30ish). The same happens but with me collecting from school when the friends come to our house.

My DDs school is a bit odd in that it's a village school but the village is really small so children come from towns and villages all around. So we all commute, basically.

I make extra special effort (despite the fuel and time) to arrange play dates for DD. We pick up from school and other parent collects playmate after tea. It's a couple of hours and works well. It's particularly great on the days DD is invited elsewhere!

We have done 4 this term. DD is in year 1.

I am sure you are over-worrying.

DS is Y1 and has had 2 playdates so far this term. In YR he had about 2 altogether. I think it's too early to be doing loads. Even those who don't go to after school club are pretty busy with some days taken up with beavers, football, dancing, swimming... Or siblings' commitments...So it's quite common to only have only a day or 2 free a week. And some of those you need off.

We live a 30min walk from school. I don't think a 20 min drive is any more of an obstacle, as long as you have a car and spare seat. I pick the child up from school, the parent generally picks them up from mine at 6-6.30. I sometimes offer to drop child back - might be nice in your case as it's a longer trip, if the other parent is juggling ballet runs or whatever.

Let them have a play, then feed them kiddy food - sausages, fish fingers, bolognese or get them to make their own pizzas. Give them a treaty pudding. Have a craft idea lined up in case they run out of play ideas. Expect guest to comment on how tiny your house is.

You could consider playdates in half term but tbh the after school ones are easier as they tend to be shorter.

I don't live in a village, but I also work part time. I never do after school playdates - my daughter is knackered and there isn't really the time. If I were you I would get the class list, ask him who he wants to have playdates with and email some of the parents suggesting a few weekend dates - I'm sure you'll have a good response.