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Original poster

What do I put in my new school starters bag?

35 replies

guiltynetter · 14/08/2018 11:34

Might seem like a silly question but my
DD (4) is starting reception in a couple of weeks & I’m trying to get organised (i’m v.pregnant)

All I can think of is spare clothes in case she has an accident which is very rare but I suppose you never know. Is that literally it?

Thank you!

OP posts:

xyzandabc · 14/08/2018 11:36

Yes. That's it. Unless they need a person kit or packed lunch. Perhaps a water bottle if required.

The less they have to carry, the better.

BendydickCuminsnatch · 14/08/2018 11:36

Water bottle? Lunchbox if applicable? This is me next year so I’m watching with interest!

xyzandabc · 14/08/2018 11:36

A person kit????
Should be pe kit!

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xyzandabc · 14/08/2018 11:39

The spare clothes aren't just for accidents. They'll need spare clothes for when they get soaked from the water table, covered in paint (not just a bit), when they or someone else spills their drink, many uses for spare clothes!

formerbabe · 14/08/2018 11:40

Does she need a PE kit?

Packed lunchbox or school dinners?

A coat, hat, scarves, gloves depending on the weather.

We send ours in with a bottle of water if the weather is hot.

I never sent spare clothes in, in case of accidents. On the rare occasion it happened, the school had some spare stuff they could wear.

Book bag for bringing reading books home in.

That's it I think!

catkind · 14/08/2018 11:41

They usually ask for a water bottle? Jumper if child doesn't want it on? Did they not say anything in the new starter info?

I wouldn't bother sending spare clothes if it's very unlikely - there's always PE kit and reception will have classroom spares too.

Mostly you send an empty bag and then it comes back with letters, reading books etc.

WhoKnowsWereTheTimeG0es · 14/08/2018 11:42

Mine never needed spare clothes. PE kit, water bottle, bookbag with a keyring or similar on the handle to belp them find it in the class box of bookbags.

paintedwingsandgiantrings · 14/08/2018 11:42

The school should tell you this. Did they not send you anything? Is there a meeting for parents in the first week maybe where they'll tell you stuff like this?

At my DC's school we had to bring a book bag (bought from school) and nothing put in it except returning books to school.

Also PE kit in another bag - that's kept at school and returned for washing every holiday.

And a pair of wellies that are kept at school.

We were asked not to send in spare clothes as school have spares - but they do ask us to donate old clothes to spares every so often.

None of this stuff was expected on day 1 though - although lots of the DC did have book bags from the beginning.

Did the school not give you a starters pack or similar? This is a very reasonable question and one all parents need to know!

QueenOfMyDomain · 14/08/2018 11:43

At my DC’s school they ask for wellies in Reception. Definitely a water bottle.

paintedwingsandgiantrings · 14/08/2018 11:44

Oh yes, and a water bottle. The school office sold them. Took my a year to realise it was fine to bring any bottle!

SimonBridges · 14/08/2018 11:44

Please do send spare clothes rather than rely on the classroom having them. I buy spares every year, write the class name in them in Sharpie.
They have all gone by half term.

YeTalkShiteHen · 14/08/2018 11:45

I’m wondering the same! So far I have pencil case and contents, water bottle (school asked for one), spare change of clothes plus extra knickers just in case, a wee pack of wipes in case she doesn’t get to the loo in time, and her indoor shoes (again school asked for these).

Pinkvoid · 14/08/2018 11:47

Never sent spare clothes in, the school always have spares just in case. They wear aprons when they’re painting etc.

I just send mine in with a water bottle in their book bag.

paintedwingsandgiantrings · 14/08/2018 11:47

Our school specifically asks us not to send in spare clothes.

They have spares, but they use aprons for art things - I can only imagine them changing clothes if the DC got soaked through with paint!

Each school has to manage loads of DC and they all have systems in place to do this- which vary from school to school.

Best to ask.

formerbabe · 14/08/2018 11:48

I've never sent my dc to school with a pencil case or stationery. Everything they've needed has been provided by the school.

YeTalkShiteHen · 14/08/2018 11:49

DDs school asked for pencil case and contents.

formerbabe · 14/08/2018 11:49

Some schools may not have space to store 30 sets of spare clothes.

NotAgainYoda · 14/08/2018 11:49

Label every thing really really well. With first and second name. You wouldn't believe how many people can't manage that and then moan when stuff gets lost

paintedwingsandgiantrings · 14/08/2018 11:49

Also depends where you are. MIL sent a load of pens for DS starting school, which baffled me as they have pens in school!

But apparently in Scotland, where she is, DC do bring their own pencil cases to school (can anyone confirm that?)

FromNowOn · 14/08/2018 11:50

Mine have their book bag which is empty at the start of year, PE kit in their PE bag which stays at school and a bag for water bottle and jumper.

LadyPenelope68 · 14/08/2018 11:51

Check with school, they’ll have a list. But from teaching in many different Primaries I’d say do not send in spare clothes or wipes, they’ll just get lost and they’re not needed as the school has spare clothes. Reception children also don’t need a pencil case, school will provide everything. They just need a PE kit (in a separate bag that’s left at school for the half term), their book bag, a water bottle and that’s it. Obviously sun hat if it’s sunny or woolly hat/gloves if it’s cold.

hmmwhatatodo · 14/08/2018 11:53

Just the bag with her name written on clearly. Maybe draw a flower or something identifying so she can spot it easily. Don’t add loads of key rings, they are very annoying! Water bottle if needed but not in bag as it will leak. Probably pointless to take one on first day, they will have cups and bottle more likely to be misplaced when she doesn’t know where to put things. Often it’s easier for staff to get spare clothes from office rather than looking through book bags but it depends on each school I suppose. No need for wipes, teachers haven’t got time for all that. Also no idea why they would need a pencil case.

paintedwingsandgiantrings · 14/08/2018 11:54

Please do send spare clothes rather than rely on the classroom having them.

This really depends on this school. Ours has said it's a pain to have cloakrooms cluttered with bags of spares and to have to leave class to go to the cloakroom and work out which child has spares in school if they need them - easier to get some from the communal stash in the cupboard in the clsssroom

If we sent spares in a bag they wouldn't get used.

xyzandabc · 14/08/2018 11:54

So interesting how schools vary. At our school, they're not allowed to use pens until they get their 'pen license', usually in year 5 or so. Until then it's pencil and crayons only.

YeTalkShiteHen · 14/08/2018 11:54

But apparently in Scotland, where she is, DC do bring their own pencil cases to school (can anyone confirm that?)

I’m in Scotland and my DC have always been asked to bring one, but I’m not sure if it’s Scotland wide. It is in our LA.

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