How do I arrange playdates for reception child?

[Bigwig1]

Sorry I'm just a complete novice, and I have so many questions that will really demonstrate that!

My DS started reception this year, and I'm worried he's just struggling a bit with friendships (which I understand is completely normal). I don't want to force any friendships on him, I just thought maybe arranging a play date or two might help with his confidence.

So, how do I do this? Is it normal to just contact another mum out the blue and suggest a playdate? I've started to get to know a few mums from pickup, but I was mostly thinking of targeting the mum's of the kids my DS actually mentions. I don't know them, but I have their numbers from the WhatsApp group. Is it weird to just drop them a message?

We also live about 20min walk away. If you arranged an afterschool playdate, are you expected to walk that child home with yours? Or would you ask the parents to meet you at your house shortly after school...? Or is the park better? Would I feed them dinner?

I'm nervous my DS won't want to play, he gets a bit shy and silly and takes time to warm up! In many ways I prefer the idea of the park because I don't have to worry about house logistics, but then I wonder if DS will feel more comfortable surrounded by his own toys!

Sorry I know those are all quite trivial questions, but I'm so new to this! Thank you for reading

At reception age meet ups were more usual for us. Parents in our reception didn’t want their children going alone to the houses of people they didn’t really know. Play dates didn’t really start until year 1 after parents had got to know each other a bit better at class parties.

Opposite here - kids v happy to have play dates with their friends without parents there, though of course parents can stay if they want. Maybe our reception is unusually confident.I just drop a message saying who I am and if X is free on whichever day. I usually do some kind of craft or game with them and then tea.

If there is a class whatsapp group, you could say one day 'Hi, we're going to the park/softplay/whatever today, does anyone want to join?

We have done this and seen others do this too, it goes down well 😊

Another way is kids parties, DD is in reception and has been to a load of parties recently, including her own which was good for getting to know other parents

I didn't worry about this with dd1- suspect I will need to with my youngest but... plenty of parents just approached me when dd1 was in reception, asked if I was xyz's parent and we arranged stuff.

We did play dates with parents during reception. I would try and select whatever dc lived closest to us (class list with address). Then we would have a coffee/tea while the dc played. This allowed us to get to know parents better. And of course sometimes dc would ask for play dates with particular kids so we would arrange that too. Or we would suggest meet up in the park as well. I think this helps them get to know the dc quicker.

I recently arranged a playdate for my reception child by contacting the parent of a child of her choosing (a stranger to me), it's not weird to do that.
Weekends are more popular here as the majority of parents work office hours.
I thought the parent would stay but they didn't (my fault, had assumed no one would want to drop their child at this age!) so you need to be clear which you want to happen or be prepared for either.
I wouldn't worry about your child playing, they can choose to parallel play at that age anyway. I served a really simple meal, think beans on toast.
However having it at home was quite hard going as the child was strong-willed and they are still quite young for understanding how to behave. I had to ask them to stop doing various things with increasing degrees of sternness!
It wasn't a disaster but it felt like hard work so I plan to just do meet ups now, which I find much easier.

Hi there, your DS sounds like mine, I’ve arranged a couple of reception play dates because the teacher has fed back that he’s playing on his own a lot.

I just messaged some parents individually from the WhatsApp group. We are going to meet in the park - I’m not sure how well it will go but I figured it’s only a couple of hours!

ask ds who he likes and message the mum. Parents usually attend as well for reception play dates round here. Provide snacks and an activity (craft or something) do other child is entertained even if ds doesn’t want to play

No issue messaging the mum, if you get any info from your son open it up with an anecdote - 'X was chatting away about Y today he said they're so kind and they're making good friends' etc