School coat for reception starter - any ideas?

[ActonBell]

DS is a late spring baby and so will be one of the younger ones in the coming year. He has a coat with poppers for nursery that he can do up and undo himself. He struggles with zips.

I’m looking for 2 coats for the coming year because he’s nearly grown out of his current one - a lighter weight (but not too flimsy) waterproof and a winter coat. Can’t find one that does up with poppers. Does he just need to practice zips more?

Any recommendations for a not-too-expensive coat good for starting school? No restrictions on colour but obviously needs to be something hard wearing.

Really grateful for any recommendations.

No suggestions for a coat I'm afraid but as a P1 teacher, it's part of our daily routine to help with coats and zippers or buttons especially at the beginning. I know there's 25 to do but honestly at the start of term it's expected and built into how early we start getting ready. What takes longer is children who haven't managed to turn out inside out arms or get the jacket on properly before you do the zip. Obviously we still help with that if they need it but sometimes getting them to a place where they will try that themselves is a battle! If he's able to do that independently then getting a coat with a zip is win win because he can practise but an adult can quickly help too if need be. Don't worry too much!

hiking stuff from decathlon.
ideally one of those 3in1 one with plenty of reflecting material.

and yes, he needs to practice zips. but I'm sure he will get there!

DD got all primary school coats (waterproof and winter) from Trespass, Decathlon or GoOutdoors. They do last, are warm and waterproof. DD also still gets her coats for Scouting and non-school coats from there.

I found they do learn to do the zip at one point so practicing is always good. But if not managed by September, they run around so much, most leave the coat wide open or just close it with the velcro.

I once read to DD's reception class just after the lunchbreak and the teachers were still outside collecting coats from the playground, used as improvised goal posts for a ball game. That was in November.

@Downsize2021

No suggestions for a coat I'm afraid but as a P1 teacher, it's part of our daily routine to help with coats and zippers or buttons especially at the beginning. I know there's 25 to do but honestly at the start of term it's expected and built into how early we start getting ready. What takes longer is children who haven't managed to turn out inside out arms or get the jacket on properly before you do the zip. Obviously we still help with that if they need it but sometimes getting them to a place where they will try that themselves is a battle! If he's able to do that independently then getting a coat with a zip is win win because he can practise but an adult can quickly help too if need be. Don't worry too much!

Thank you! This is really helpful. He’s good at getting coat and shoes on and off - it’s just zips really. I won’t worry too much then about finding one with poppers. Thanks!

And you could suggest if he's good a poppers he could help his friends who have coats like that so that he feels helpful even if he has to ask for help with his own coat if you're not able to find something with poppers for him. I love it when the little ones help each other like that.

@reluctantbrit @purplesequins - thanks. I’ll check out decathlon and the others. Hadn’t thought of those ‘outdoor’ type shops.

He sounds great! Good luck for the new term!

@Downsize2021 - aah - he does love helping!

Former Reception class teacher here... honestly if he can put the coat on he's grand! Learning to do up a zip is hard... I used to just allow extra time before outdoor play to get all the coats on and zips up, myself to and TA would help where needed. Eventually he'll be able to do it

We like the mountain warehouse coats with the removable fleece. Found them properly waterproof, and can remove the fleece for spring. Some also have a reflective part on the arms or back. Usually get them when there is a sale or offer on. Have got zips, but think there is also velcro.

Hatley have a few options for raincoats with poppers.

www.hatley.com/uk_en/products/linework-dinos-colour-changing-raincoat?color=Blue&via=Z2lkOi8vaGF0bGV5L1dvcmthcmVhOjpDYXRhbG9nOjpDYXRlZ29yeS9Cb3lzKyUzRStDYXRlZ29yaWVzKyUzRStSYWlud2Vhcg

Not sure about winter coats. If he's anything like my DS and his classmates they will all insist on having them unzipped anyway

Thanks - these are all great options.
It’s great to hear that he’s got the main skills he needs. He is super independent, which is really useful.

My kids primary had school fleeces and school waterproof jackets, one over the top of the other in winter. Yes to practicing with zips

Toggles like Paddington?

Would really reccomend Hatley coats. Mine often wore theirs until around November as they always had layers with their uniform.

We had a few from regatta and other 'hiking' brands including a 3 in one coat but always had problems with zips breaking or not working properly.

Mountain warehouse coats with the removable fleece inside are good.
If he can put the coat on himself he’s half way there.
With my eldest he struggled with zips so I attached a plastic key ring or toggle to the zip to make it easier for him to grab.

We’ve had 3 in 1 coats from the outdoor type stores - and used the various individual and combination throughout the year.!

We've had coats before from Trespass and Mountain Warehouse - I think Mountain Warehouse are a bit better quality. I've always avoided the 3 in 1 coats where you'd have a fleece inside a coat. We've had one for leisure and the fleece bit often ends up inside out of the sleeve and then is a pain for a child to sort.

We have a very light Spring/Summer raincoat for when he goes back, then he'll move to this when it gets a bit colder:

www.mountainwarehouse.com/kids/jackets/kids-waterproof-jackets/samson-jacket-p5730.aspx/navy/

We then tend to have a super thick/padded coat for when its freezing too, but that tends to only be worn for a couple of months at school.

I found the 3-in-1 coats difficult. If they fitted in winter they were often too big in Spring when I removed the fleece.

And that was with one of mine as well.

I’d go cheap and cheerful as this stuff often gets lost. A waterproof and a nice snuggly one that can be regularly washed and the child can put on themselves. A favourite of my sons was a very simple coat with snap closures.

I was going to suggest Hatley too. They seem to last forever as well!

My dd got a few years out of one of these. It’s nice and warm and has adjustable sleeves. Washes well. Lots of different colours www.landsend.co.uk/Kids_Waterproof_Expedition_Down_Parka__/pp/P_42388.html?cgid=11420&dwvar_P__42388_color=38X

Yeah Hatley are great. They are wipeable too so easy to keep clean, hard wearing and nice designs so it would be easy for him to pick out his coat from the cloakroom. For winter coats maybe try M&S or Boden. I usually try and find ones that can go in the washing machine and dryer

I worked in Reception last year. Most of them struggle with zips to start with so don't worry about that.

I hate the 3 in one coats, they always end up getting tangled and twisted.

My 2 just have Mountain Warehouse coats. Thin but waterproof and a warmer waterproof one for colder months.