What do I put in my new school starters bag?

[guiltynetter]

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!

Thanks for the responses! They did have a meeting, but we couldn’t attend (we were on holiday) I do have a starters pack, it doesn’t mention whether or not to send spare clothes but I’ll put some in anyway. Her PE kit is in a separate drawstring bag which i’ll send in on the first day and it stays at school. Totally forgot about the water bottle so I’ll put that in now. I’m having a labelling session today which had prompted me to get everything out!

And yes - I would definitely pack spare knickers/pants, trousers/leggings, and socks

Also, slightly off topic: don't send your child in with shoes that have laces, unless they can tie their shoe laces.

Aye that’s something our school asked too, so the teacher doesn’t spend an hour a day re-tying laces!

If it doesn’t mention spare clothes then don’t bother sending any in. Tbh, unless they have wet/soiled themselves or are absolutely drenched from head to toe, then there aren’t many occasions they will be changed.

Day 1 - bag and water bottle. They'll let you know when they need things like wellies, PE kits or whatever bringing in over the first couple of weeks or so.

DD2 has other stuff that goes into school with her - like spare clothes and baby wipes and stuff - but she has continence problems and it was pre-agreed with the school what I'd supply. about 60% of the time they've just used stuff from the school spare clothing pool anyway though.

They're not going to need stuff like wellies or PE kits on the first day there anyway - by the time they've investigated the classroom, gone to the loo a million times, had lunch and a story that's about the content of the first few weeks of Reception anyway.

Yes, ours specifically said no bags other than bookbags and pe bags due to lack of cloakroom space. In all their time at primary they never came home in school spare clothes.

Scotland P1 didn't need pencil case, needed it in P2.

Things in bag, snack for playtime, water bottle, shorts for PE and spare pants just in case, plimsoles for indoors and PE.
Mine refused to wear a jumper so I kept one in the bag - just in case.

The plimsoles and shorts stay at school

I wouldn't send spare clothes, a pair of spare pants at the most. That and water bottle is all they need. They'll be told when they need their PE kit, it won't be straight away and often they simply change their shoes for the first couple of weeks.

Oh and book bags look cute but they suck after a couple of months

Ours just asked for spare socks in the PE bag in case of accidents (or in DS1’s case using the mud kitchen without the provided apron which led to him coming home in PE kit including said spare socks and trainers).

Tissues you can use at the gates for your tears!
When ds started I was the only dm who didn't cry!!
It was a truly well earned break, ds was an awful toddler!!