Why can't reception children just wear a jogging suit ?

[AngelaChill]

My poor little mite hates her uniform, shirt, pinny and cardigan and had a complete melt down this morning (her first day). She's only just 4 and I can't see why they can't just wear comfy clothes surely that would make the teachers life easier too ?

[misdee]

beause its the rules.

[Bozza]

Is she not allowed to wear a polo shirt rather than full buttoning shirt and a skirt rather than pinafore?

DS has gone today in shorts and poloshirt - if he wasn't at school he would probably be wearing different coloured shorts and polo shirt! He is determined to drag out the summer as long as possible.

[NotQuiteCockney]

I prefer the casual uniforms - DS1 has just moved from a school with formal uniforms (proper shirts etc etc) to one with casual ones (polo shirt, shorts). Much nicer, imo. They put them in formal ones for Form 3 and up, I think.

[hulababy]

I love proper uniforms DD has full uniform - winter one is shirt, tie and pinafore. She is currently in summer uniform. Both had hats and coats though. Think it looks very smart, and it is very easily recognisable as belong to her school.

DD (also 4) doesn't mind hers now, although found the collar and tie a bit odd the first couple of days. But she'll get used to it.

Worst part is after PE and ballet - all those buttons (and a tie!!!) to get back on, but we are finding that the teacher and teaching assistant help out where needed.

[misdee]

i always feel reassured that on school trips the children are easily recongised if they go missing and what party they belong to.

dd2 wants the nursery uniform, she loves uniforms lol.

[PrettyCandles]

What a shame she hates it. Perhaps she's taking her worries over starting school out on the uniform?

My ds is so proud of his uniform. It's the polo shirt and grey trousers/shorts style. I get plain shirts from Woolies or similar, but always have to get a couple of the (rather more expensive! ) shirts with the school badge on as well, because ds loves the identification so much.

Perhaps once your dd becomes more confident at school, and feels proud of her achievements there, the uniform will become less of an issue.

[Spidermama]

I agree AngelaChill. I think it's cruel and ridiculous to have four year olds forced into teflon and polyester get ups. I think they look sad and colourless in the playground, the stuff is uncomfortable and hard to wash and maintain.

I wish the parents and teachers would try the polyester and teflon get ups for a week or two, in colours dictated by someone else, to see how they like it.

I've noticed people get quite defensive about the uniform issue on here though for some reasons.

[chipkid]

ds was also just 4 when he started reception in a formal uniform. He really disliked the shirt and tie for the first few days-it didn't take long before he got used to it.
the other point is that my ds was always very aware that he should look the same as the rest of the children. Especially in reception they don't really want to stand out as being different-so I think you have to persevere with it

[AngelaChill]

Spidermummy - we have done the prep school thing complete with boater and dry clean only blazer - aged 3/4. What a crock that was, we're over it !

[AngelaChill]

Fingers crossed tomorrow will be easier then.

[Spidermama]

I really resent the ugly colours and horrible fabrics which I would never normally make my children wear. I also have a problem with making them all look the same at this age.

I can understand it in secondary school when there's more fashion awareness and hormones start to kick in, but in primary it's just anal and de-humanising.

[Twiglett]

I wouldn't let my kids out of the house in a jogging suit unless they were off to do an organised sport

And its the rules as misdee says

But then DS goes to a school where its polo shirt and sweatshirt and charcol trousers ..

[serenity]

Ours wear the PE kit in Nusery and reception - royal blue joggers and sweatshirt, bright yellow polo shirt. They don't wear the formal uniform until Yr1 - navy skirt/trousers, white shirt, navy and gold tie, navy jumper, sensible idea imo

[MrsBadger]

do you know why it is she hates it so much?
If it's just because it's unfamiliar it will get easier, especially as she sees everyone else in it.
100% cotton stuff can be much comfier if she finds it at all scratchy; and if she's worried she'll look the same as everyone else (have had the 'But mummy, how will you recognise me?' bit in the past) can you provide a modicum of individuality in the way of hairthings or similar?

Agree people seem to get very het up for/against uniform, but if they have to wear it, they have to wear it, and it's better all round if we can make sure they're happy in it.

[Bozza]

DS is wearing a polo shirt. He has non-uniform polo shirts. What is the difference? And today his polo shirt is bright red - the same colour as the trousers I have chosen to dress his little sister in today. Bright red suits my children.

And I will confess to being as much of a snob as twig - my children do not go out wearing jogging suits. They have one or two in the back of the cupboard that were not bought by me.

[Twiglett]

oy bozza .. nobody here called me a snob I'll have you know LOL

[Issymum]

I wouldn't quite go as far as 'anal and dehumanising' but I surprise myself by being with Spidermama on this one. DD1 has a very formal and shockingly expensive uniform, the upside of which is that the colours are nice (no grey) and there is not a synthetic fibre to be seen. She looks very cute, but it's restrictive and impractical and I'd be happier for her to go to school in her own clothes. Although at our school that would probably mean just replacing the prescribed school uniform with selected pieces from the Mini Boden 2006/5 catalogue .

[singersgirl]

I don't mind the typical primary school pull-on trousers/shorts, polo shirt and sweatshirt. It's easy to put on and hardwearing, even if not very attractive.

I do wonder about the point of the very 'dressy' type of uniforms with hats and capes etc. I don't know anyone (adult or child) who routinely wears a hat, unless it's very cold. Round here, it seems that the less prestigious the private school, the more elaborate the uniform.

[singersgirl]

Feel I have to add that the prestigious thingy is my own observation and may not be generally true. Here, St. Paul's Girls doesn't have a uniform at all, and Colet Court has a very subdued dark blazer without any fancy Latin mottos, whereas some of the non-selective pre-preps have extraordinary uniform requirements that cost a fortune and are vastly impractical.

[Issymum]

"Round here, it seems that the less prestigious the private school, the more elaborate the uniform."

I so agree Singersgirl. It sort of equates to tin-pot generals with uniforms covered in a spaghetti of gold braid whilst the truly powerful ones wear combats. DD1's prep school is not prestigious at all (it has other qualities) and it has a ludicrous uniform. Sigh.

[Clary]

Our uniform is skirt or dress or shorts or trousers which can be black stretchy ones, with polo or shirt and cardie or jumper in school colours (with badge if needed). The polo shirt is cotton and comfy. Tie and button-up shirt optional but most don't. I personally (tho I know MI and others do not agree with me ) think it looks smart. It also avoids competing parents (who?s wearing the Nike joggers etc) and children standing out for their different clothes. Also a child from the school (as misdee says) is immediately idenfiable if seen outside school - good for trips out or if perish the thought a child is found wandering. My children have never complained and in fact both seem proud to be wearing their uniform. DS1 is 7 and has just moved to junior school and is very pleased with new book bag/jumper/tracksuit etc.

Spidermama I'm personally not defensive about it but my children are wearing cotton polo shirts and dresses and cotton knickers and socks (agree that trousers and skirts are teflon coated but don't find it at all hard to maintain.) Cheaper than mufti clothes and easier to keep looking good imho.

[hulababy]

LOL. Our private school has the most formal uniform. Wouldn't say it was the least prestigious school though - so not always true.

And DD's summer uniform is lovely and bright - lots of red.

[hulababy]

However, most popular/well known private school (I guess) has a really odd coloured uniform and the most ridiculously short skirts. DD will go there, hopefully, at 11, but I am really not keen on the uniform. It isn't half as smart as her current uniform.

[Flamesparrow]

Twig said my words exactly pmsl