Stepping Up -- nursery school question

My son is in a 2 year old nursery program and I just received a newsletter saying they will have a "stepping up" ceremony in June and families are welcomed. What exactly is this, and who usually attends? I am assuming it is their little graduation to the 3 year old class/last day of school party. I will take off work and go, but should i also have my husband take off too? Do you invite anyone else? I always feel like the odd Mom out since I work full time and have a full time babysitter who does drop off/pick up. I was the clueless mom who sent her kid to school for his birthday with cupcakes and called it a day. Since then all the other kids send home favors, personalized cookies, toys, etc. On valentines day I did a simple candy card, and he came home with goodie bags the size of a lunch pail. I feel like im living and learning through this whole thing.
I dont want to show up solo and see that everyone else brought their entire family and the dog.
UGH!!
Thanks!

ETA: I'm fine with inviting whoever. I just really wanted to know if anyone else has been to one of these and who usually attends. I am clueless and do not want to show up solo if everyone brings their entire family AND i also dont want to show up with a ton of ppl if all the other kids just bring their moms lol! I hope this makes sense.

Message edited 4/25/2016 9:35:13 AM.

Re: Stepping Up -- nursery school question

I have NEVER heard of a stepping up ceremony till at least PreK to Kindergarten. Both my boys didn't have anything at the age. For my 6 year old when he went from PreK to Kindergarten they had a "graduation" ceremony then bc Kindergarten is at a separate school from 1st grade he had a "stepping up" ceremony.
DH and I attended along with my parents and I believe my IL's came. Only bc they are all retired. I felt the K to 1st was even more important. LOL!

Anyway, can your DH take a half day or work from home? Is your LO ok if not a lot of people come.
DS is having his graduation ceremony next month bc he's finishing PreK. Again I'll invite my parents, IL's and DH will attend, but DH works local and will go back to work after.
I don't think from 2 to 3 I would've invited the grandparents TBH.

ETA - meant to add if I know grandparents are available I would invite them, but if they are busy or don't live close I think it's fine just you and DH. We are lucky to have both sets of grandparents close and retired

Message edited 4/25/2016 9:25:51 AM.

Stepping Up -- nursery school question

I've also never heard of anything other than a pre-k graduation. But, if they did have one, I'm sure my husband and both sets of grandparents would have attended.

Re: Stepping Up -- nursery school question

Honestly, you really just have to do what is right for your family. If your husband's job is flexible and it wouldn't be an issue for him to take the day or the morning off, sure it'd be great if he could go. Unfortunately not all jobs are like that, and if he can't, he can't. It's hard not to compare or gauge what to do based on others, but what works for one family might just not be feasible for another. Your child will be fine either way, I promise! As far as grandparents, it's just my mom close to us and she usually babysits my terror of a one year old so that I can actually enjoy my 3 year old, lol. I'm usually alone at these things, and it's fine. DD might ask once in awhile why daddy or grandma wasn't there, but she accepts my answers and of course everyone makes a big deal over wanting to hear all about it later on and she feels just as special and loved as the kids who had a group with them, I'm sure.

Message edited 4/25/2016 9:34:17 AM.

Re: Stepping Up -- nursery school question

Our daycare does this. Basically each class performs 1 song, then the graduation for the older kids is last. As each class finishes, most of the parents usually leave with their kids so by the time it's time for the graduation it's just basically those kids and families.

Our daycare limited it to 4 tickets per family. Most people brought 2 people last year - either mom and dad or one parent and a grandparent. Last year I had just given birth to DD a week before so DH was off of work and my mom came to help with the baby so we could watch DS sing his song. This year DH won't take off work but my mom will still come to help with DD since the moving up ceremony starts with the toddler classes so she won't be participating.

Also, don't feel bad about not doing goody bags at school. We didn't last year either, just cupcakes, and I was the slacker mom! But this year I'm friendly with the other moms and I assure you, none of them even realized I didn't do a goody back. And this year, his whole class was invited to his party so I just did cupcakes in class, too.

Stepping Up -- nursery school question

I always just ask the assistant in dds class when I want to know the norm so i can make an informed decision. For example, they said some kids bring treats on Halloween but usually only about half. This way I knew I didn't have to feel bad about not sending anything lol.
If it includes a little show I might invite grandparents and see if dh wants to take off work. Dd is 3 and doesn't notice that sometimes just I go and other kids have an entourage. I'm sure at 2 they wouldn't notice either.

Re: Stepping Up -- nursery school question

Stepping Up -- nursery school question

Not sure about the ceremony - but just wanted to say, the parents at my dd's school do the same thing with every single holiday. Over the top goodie bags and baked goods for every little holiday. One even did something for St. Patty's Day. It gets to be a bit much, imo. Especially when my dd comes home begging to eat all of this candy she got and then she's bouncing off the walls!!!

Re: Stepping Up -- nursery school question