My child attended a Lowell playdate and the parents sat around and had coffee, donuts and chatted.

Agreed about the Norwood playdate late in the day and late in the week. My child was really tired. Also, as we walked to the library the kids in the afterschool program who were also clearly tired were bickering over toys. It seems like they might want to rethink the timing.

Lowell makes parents do an art project. Not kidding.

Sidwell's was dropoff and go. I agree the time of day for Norwood was really unfortunate. They act like it's an even playing field, but that's not really true. Some kids are just more tired in the pm than others. Doesn't seem like that 's a smart thing to do.

Norwood was also the only school that didn't have anyone talk to the prospective parents from the admissions office or have current parents available either. But then I thought it was pretty telling that they did the playdate for K at something like 2 pm on a Thursday. They wanted to see the kids at their worst--no naps or rest time, near the end of the week.

Norwood was the only one we attended that offered no food or drink to the parents.

Bring a book in case you need it.

Anonymous wrote:At Beauvoir everyone just sits in the library in scilence. At the end they herd the children into the room, say about three words and abruptly leave. It was rather cold.

I wish that had happened to me. At my DC's Beauvoir playdate, one of the teachers came into the library and made an hour-long presentation about the curriculum. I had actually been looking forward to a little down time and catching up on some work emails, and found the whole thing exhausting.

I went to the grocery store.

Schools will make it clear, some we went to (4 total) had current parents, administrators there talking with parents formally or informally. One school just had us wait and we chatted amongst ourselves. It is pretty clear about what is expected.

At Beauvoir everyone just sits in the library in scilence. At the end they herd the children into the room, say about three words and abruptly leave. It was rather cold.

They tell you whether to stay or go -- different schools have different preferences. Just ask.
The one I stayed at, I mostly sat there making conversation with other parents, wondering how I ended up there.

Hang out. Talk to other parents. Drink coffee.

This was a while ago but we stayed at the school. One school had bagels and coffee out, and current parents to ask questions of. Another had a formal parent program. If you post the school someone can probably tell you what happens at that school.

I have applied my child to only one private school for K (our local public is good and a fine option, we were only strongly interested in this one particular private) - this is why I don't know the answer to the question. During the play date, and I supposed to stay at the school? Go outside and walk around? What do people do?