Things you need to know / do if you have DC starting Reception this year

[Toadsrevisited]

I sailed through my eldest going to reception last year courtesy of MN advice, so thought I should pass it on....

Definitely label, label, label everything and check regularly that labels haven't faded or come off. And if you don't label and check, please don't shout when your child has lost their third jumper. We know it's really annoying and they're not cheap but we really do our best to make sure everyone has the right things! Even if uniform is labelled, it can still go home with the wrong child and it relies on the parents of that child checking the labels in their child's clothes to realise they have the wrong one but at least if it is labelled you have some hope of getting it back!

Also if they'll be having packed lunch, get them to practise opening packets etc in the next few weeks. Although staff will help them, it will save them loads of time waiting with their hand up.

Bear in mind you will get 6 weeks to bed in before the first half term then you are straight into the pre-xmas onslaught.... with bottles for the tombola, fill-a-cups, xmas card drawings, nativity costumes, cakes for the fair etc...

The one thing I remember vividly when DC1 started school was getting totally overwhelmed by, what felt like, constant requests whilst trying to get used to the new routine. I remember jokingly not joking telling DH that I'd need to reduce my hours just to keep up!

It's not representstive of the whole year. It calms down after xmas until Easter. Or maybe you just get into the swing of it.

Definitely download the calender and get important dates in the diary to get organised.

If you use iron on labels or stickers to label your clothes, shape them to make them extra quick to identify so pinking shear one edge or cut them diagonally at the ends rather than straight. That way if reading very small print is challenging for your child they can look for the shape.

Am totally placemarking for later

Trousers and socks rather than tights for girls on PE and swimming days!
Order meals for as far in advance as poss and edit, if required, if child decides they don’t like X I do DD’s a half term at a time

Be aware that very often reception do not start doing full days until after October half term and you will need childcare / a very understanding boss to cover all the half days from mid September.
Try and buy a (second hand) coat which is not navy or black - much easier to find your child in the playground!

Buy uniform a size up. Helps with changing for P E. Buy second hand from school if you can. Marvellous quality and super cheap. Buy unisex or boys t shirts for P E if you have girls. The girls ones are ridiculously tight fitting and no good for self dressing unless your child is a contortionist. Avoid logo stuff. Its the first to go missing unless it only cost a pound second hand.

Buy water bottles when you see rhem reduced. You will have a few lost ones.

If you work full time dont worry about not doing homework if you run out of time. Particularly if your school does family learning.

If they currently attend a nursery that has tea mid-afternoon then they will probably arrive home from school absolutely ravenous. Keep some crumpets and things in the freezer for a quick snack.

Yes the tiredness. Dd is still exhausted from last term.

Weekly check for headlice with a comb and keep some of the special shampoo in stick for if you notice them first thing one morning. Making sure long hair is always tied back will help.

In summer apply suncream before they get dressed and give it time to soak in to avoid stains all over uniform.

DD about to go into P2.

Yes to all of the above, in particular

• exhaustion (though she’d been in full time nursery and the P1 set up is exactly the same, apart from more kids)
• what did you do today? Nothing. So the name 2 good things that happened is great advice
• don’t go in with your big boots if something happens you’re not happy with. You’re in a partnership with this school for years. That’s not to say you should be a pushover or not stand up for your child.
• expect that they will lose everything. You’ll have to visit he cesspit of lost property once a month minimum
• school bags emptied straight away
• family calendar is essential and reply to every invite right away

In a nutshell- be on it and you’ll be fine

ThisMustBeMyDream thank you, that is reassuring!

Another one.

Take a picture of invites on your phone. They will go missing!