Create a successful birthday party in preschool - And it is not always just about birthday cake

Birthday parties can be entertaining and amusing for children and an excellent way to store good memories. However, you may be surprised that organising one birthday party takes tremendous effort and energy. You do not want to wait until the last minute to plan for your child's birthday party.

Here are three things you should remember when planning a birthday party at your child's preschool.

·       Time to Notify Teachers in School

As a rule of thumb, give the school at least a week's notice. The early information ensures that the birthday celebration does not clash with other school special programmes and classes. One or two weeks of notice would allow the teachers to plan better.

Ask and clarify the time and duration given for the birthday celebration. The teachers likely need to shift the programs around to accommodate the event. Ensure that you say "thank you" to appreciate the teacher's effort to make this possible for you and your child.

·       Select a birthday cake for the celebration in the school

Most parents have difficulty choosing the right birthday cake to celebrate their child's birthday in school. The size of the cake, the design and decorations and the costings are just some of the things that need to be considered. Parents often have to go the extra mile researching and finding an established bakery to produce the right cake with the proper budget. The simplest and the most affordable option would be a photo cake - Princess birthday cake, car birthday cake etc. If you are going for a premium design cake, where the baker crafts the cartoon characters using edible fondant, make the order at least a week in advance.

Also, remember to ask how long the cake can survive in the aircon room. There is a difference between a fresh cream cake and a buttercream cake. Make sure you understand the difference, as you do not want the cake to melt before cutting the cake.

·       The Goodie Bag

It is a well-established culture in Singapore to give small gifts to your kid's classmates. It is a great way to demonstrate generosity and teaches your child to be a giver, especially on their special day. However, always check with the teachers whether the items you put in the goodie bag are acceptable, especially if sweets or food contain nuts or other allergens. This is because the other children might have allergies to certain food items.

·       How do you know if your child enjoys the celebration?

You do not need to worry about this. Most, or all, children are thrilled to throw their birthday parties in preschool. The teachers will also help to hype up the atmosphere during the celebration. Be sure to get the teachers to take lots of photos and videos so you can capture all these happy moments for your child. Lastly, post it to your social media accounts like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook etc. and share the happiness with all your family and friends.