Our preschool did playdates and the parent was required to stay the first time. I don't think I'd send my child to a place that expected her to walk into a strange room unattended on her own.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents absolutely should be allowed to be with their child at a visit. I would pass on any school that does not recognize this.

Meh, they are looking for kids who are ready to separate from their parents and attend preschool. Not all kids are ready for preschool.

Some kids are a mess the first day and completely fine the rest of the year. One day is not enough to gauge preschool readiness.

I totally agree with the pp above. It is ridiculous to expect a young child to be dropped into a strange place with unfamiliar people and function well. It is much more normal to enter with some hesitation. That does not mean that a child is not ready for preschool. As a matter of fact, I find it worrisome when a child that young walks away from the parent without glancing back. (Preschool director here)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents absolutely should be allowed to be with their child at a visit. I would pass on any school that does not recognize this.

Meh, they are looking for kids who are ready to separate from their parents and attend preschool. Not all kids are ready for preschool.

Some kids are a mess the first day and completely fine the rest of the year. One day is not enough to gauge preschool readiness.

Anonymous wrote:Parents absolutely should be allowed to be with their child at a visit. I would pass on any school that does not recognize this.

Meh, they are looking for kids who are ready to separate from their parents and attend preschool. Not all kids are ready for preschool.

Parents absolutely should be allowed to be with their child at a visit. I would pass on any school that does not recognize this.

Anonymous wrote:Is it the word "interview" that freaks people out? My kids' school does something similar, but they call it a "visit." Virtually everyone who applies is admitted. At most the visit might result in parents of a borderline-age kid being advised to wait and reapply the following year.

OP here yes it is more of a visit. Sorry -- as I said not my child so not totally up with the lingo!

Is it the word "interview" that freaks people out? My kids' school does something similar, but they call it a "visit." Virtually everyone who applies is admitted. At most the visit might result in parents of a borderline-age kid being advised to wait and reapply the following year.

I would never send my child to a preschool that requires an interview.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did the school react at the time? What does the school say now?

They said they have seen this before and they can try again on another day. About four other kids there and they all walked in to the classroom with no problem. This is not in DC. School in my brother's neighborhood and they would like him to go there. Of course, if it does not work, it does not work.

That seems reasonable. And if he freaks out, they should have some tricks for relaxing him. And I agree with the PP who says parents should be allowed in, at least for a while if the kid is anxious.

Anonymous wrote:How did the school react at the time? What does the school say now?

They said they have seen this before and they can try again on another day. About four other kids there and they all walked in to the classroom with no problem. This is not in DC. School in my brother's neighborhood and they would like him to go there. Of course, if it does not work, it does not work.

Were there parents allowed in the room for the playdate? That's what we do ar our preschool, it's the age appropriate thing to do. If not, move along, find a preschool that does it in a way that acknowledges children's development.

I've never heard of an interview for preschool. Do they need to go to this school because there are a ton of great schools that don't require interviews.

Find a different preschool that doesn't require a playdate?

How did the school react at the time? What does the school say now?

Asking this on behalf of my brother. My nephew who is three had his preschool interview -- the part where they watch them play for 30 minutes. He would not go in the classroom. Freaked out and begged to go home. He has gone through a bunch of changes in the last month, new baby and new classroom at his current school which may be part of the issue. My brother and SIL talked to him about what would happen in the days leading up to the classroom observation. They are at a loss of what to do because he needs to do this in order to get into school. Any advice? Thanks!