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Original poster

What has your reception child got to start school - panicking

34 replies

Hdieonfjc · 20/08/2021 07:54

Sorry if this has been done to death but I'm really stressing that my 4 year old who starts school in September hasn't got the correct things? We've had no information off the school, I went in for a meeting one on one (not even my child or partner was allowed to go) in July and I thought they would tell me what I need but all they did was spend 20 minutes talking about the new curriculum and 20 minutes telling me how strict the uniform policy is?? I don't even know where I'm supposed to take her on the first day and I don't know anyone else who is starting who I can ask as I'm new to the area. Where I'm from originally the reception kids did half days to start with but I don't know if that's a thing in this new area so I haven't arranged anything with work.

I have:
Uniform
Pe kit
Lunch box

Does she need a bag? What are you meant to put in? Does she need a pencil case? Again if she does what should it have in it?

I feel so unprepared I only know what day she is starting because I looked it up myself!

OP posts:

CoffeeWithCheese · 20/08/2021 07:57

Water bottle (some schools have more rules than others about it needing to be transparent)
Book bag (you can usually buy these via the school office)

ellesbellesxxx · 20/08/2021 08:02

We got given a uniform list (usually on website)
We were told just a water bottle, no pencil case and that they will be given a book bag on their first day! We were told no school bags as by the time they hang up PE kit and coats, there won’t be much space in the cloakroom!

Secretroses · 20/08/2021 08:03

Try to do a search on Facebook for the name of your school and 'reception starters 2021' or similar. Hopefully there will be one and you can ask the parents of other new starters :)

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

4 year olds Families General education Primary education

Clarkey86 · 20/08/2021 08:04

It sounds a bit like you’ve missed communications somehow? There’s normally a standard induction pack. Did you get forms to fill in for school meals, collection arrangements etc? If not you will need to ask about these on the first day.

For now though, water bottle, PE kit (they won’t need this in the first few days so don’t stress about this one), book bag. That’s it - generally primary school children don’t ever need their own pencil case as it just causes fall outs.

Lunch box if she’s packed lunches (again though most schools have guidance about what you can/cannot put in them).

I wouldn’t stress as if you forget something they’ll let her use spares at school and mention it to you at home time (I’m a teacher) but I would be concerned if i hadn’t had any of the other more official paperwork.

happystory · 20/08/2021 08:06

Many schools have a book bag, you send it in empty a lot of the time but as time goes on the teacher will use it to send home letters, reading books etc.

Partypoooooper · 20/08/2021 08:07

Check your junk emails! My daughters school emails kept going into the junk folder I only found out when I had to take her paperwork into reception.

Have you had forms to fill in?

FatAnkles · 20/08/2021 08:07

Email the school and ask if you have missed something saying what you might need? Most schools are pretty much on the ball with this.

MauveMagnolia · 20/08/2021 08:17

Why does she need a lunch box? Are there not universal infant meals where you live? If so having a packed lunch would be unusual and she possibly wouldn’t be eating with friends

EatSprayGlove · 20/08/2021 08:21

Mine started with water bottle, uniform and pe kit in a small rucksack. They had free meals so no lunch box but I recommend a lunch box that fits into the bag if you are doing both. Our school sells book bags but we don't have one and only a couple of kids do as books are sent home in a plastic wallet until y1 so i would ask before buying one.

NotNowBernarrd · 20/08/2021 08:27

The only things you will need are uniform including PE kit with shoes for both that she can do up herself.
A named water bottle. Although some schools provide these too it is often better to use your own anyway as that way it is easier for them to identify in a sea of identical bottles.
Lots of parents also send in a spare set of uniform in case of accidents. If you do this I'd recommend using a drawstring bag so that the bag hangs low on their peg. This way they can still hand up their coat. With a backpack, every time they hang up their coat it is like dressing a tortoise and the child is left leaning and stretching to get their coat over the top of the backpack.

Ponkypig282 · 20/08/2021 08:28

Dont worry, you've got the main things, everything else can be picked up during the 1st week. Yes to a bag, just makes it easier than them trying to juggle lunchbox, reading book, water bottle etc. That's it really. Hope all goes well, it's a big change but it'll be just fine.

Marmite27 · 20/08/2021 08:29

In addition to that list mine needed a school book bag and a water bottle.

No pencil cases and no backpacks allowed.

Neverrains · 20/08/2021 08:30

@MauveMagnolia

Why does she need a lunch box? Are there not universal infant meals where you live? If so having a packed lunch would be unusual and she possibly wouldn’t be eating with friends

Loads of children in reception have packed lunches at our school, despite universal free school meals. They also all sit together regardless. OP does the school have a website? There is usually a list on there. Do you have a uniform supplier? If so you can probably see if they sell the school book bags.

AuntieDolly · 20/08/2021 08:33

Check on fb - there may be a group for this years starters

cockeyedoptimist · 20/08/2021 08:48

Reception teacher here
Don’t worry too much about anything for the first week- everyone will be figuring it out . With regards where to take your DC, there will probably be senior staff outside on the first day directing all disorientated parents !
Do give your DC a named water bottle on the first day (due to Covid many schools aren’t using water fountains)
You will probably need a book bag (not backpack) but ask around in the first week to find out where to get them from.
It does sound like there has been a lack of communication over length of the days , IME it’s very common to start with just mornings and then move to full days . You could always ask the teacher / ta at pick up time ( or pop to the office after drop off)
Good luck for the first week .

234Pepperplant · 20/08/2021 08:55

Phone the school office on Sept 1st, it’s probably an inset day. (Or check the term dates on their website and find the inset day - most schools have one at start of term). Ask them what your child needs and where to take her, and check your child’s start date too because it may very well be different to the first day of term for all returning children.

If they need a bag but don’t have it on day one nothing bad will happen. You probably won’t need a pencil case, but in the unlikely event they do then again nothing bad will happen if child doesn’t have it on the first day. If you don’t know where to take her on her first day and you can’t ask first then go to the school office or the main gate - should be a member of staff to ask.

IndanthroneBlue · 20/08/2021 08:57

Contact the school it sounds like you've missed some communication. Start by emailing the office, they are likely to have someone monitoring it at this point. My DD is starting in September and everything has been sent by email, lots of forms for permission, medical history, personal details, she's doing various settling in half days. The things they need vary a bit from school to school, ours gave us a kit list: uniform, school shoes, trainers, plimsolls, wellies in a plastic bag to leave at school, and slippers for the classroom, two water bottles, spare clothes for reception children, lunch box if using, snack for break time, sun cream, and the school provide a book bag to bring in each day.

DinosApple · 20/08/2021 09:50

Reception TA here.

First day - you'll need school uniform (perhaps indoor/outdoor shoes if that's been communicated to you), a rain coat and a water bottle. Your school may have book bags to purchase, they will let you know.

If you're in England then reception age kids, up to year 2 I think, get free school meals, so a packed lunch is up to you.

That should give you the lie of the land. PE kit will need to go in too, but they are very unlikely to do that in the first few days.
No pencil case or stationery unless asked for. I can't imagine they would though as it would be a nightmare for staff to keep track of all of them.

Our school starts reception children full time from the start, very few parents turn this down as most are working. Your little one will be really tired though, I always found a school run snack stopped the tiredness grumps from striking on the walk home.

Label everything!! Hopefully there'll be more communication from the school or you can ask another parent. Good idea to check your junk mail folder though.

MauveMagnolia · 20/08/2021 10:28

Loads of children in reception have packed lunches at our school, despite universal free school meals. They also all sit together regardless.

Maybe at your school. Certainly not at all schools.

mogtheexcellent · 20/08/2021 10:30

Water bottle and bookbag.

MayorGoodwaysChicken · 20/08/2021 10:33

Sounds very much like you have missed some communication. They start in a couple of weeks - there will 100% have been info about settling in. I’ve never heard of a school going full time from day one so I’d be astounded if there isn’t at least two weeks of part days.

My son is starting this year and we’ve had a parents information evening (outside) a quick stay and play visit for each child and a comprehensive settling in timetable with info about uniform, equipment etc. as well as videos of the teachers reading stories for the kids to watch over summer.

This may not be totally typical but there is no way there isn’t something that has been provided or published. Have you contacted the school? Are you certain your child actually has a place for this year? Sorry if it’s a silly question but just checking!

MayorGoodwaysChicken · 20/08/2021 10:36

And re settling in - how easy will it be for you/partner if you have one to take time off? Some of the schools round here have the kids not even setting foot inside until mid-Sept so I would be very careful about assuming your child will be in school full time from the start of the month. Are you going to be able to work things out if that is the case? Sorry I’m just a bit shocked that you have got to this point without making contact with the school to find any of this out.

Woeismethischristmas · 20/08/2021 10:50

Water bottle, school bag, I prefer a bigger school bag so they can fit everything in book bag coat etc. They’re still not getting changed for pe due to COVID at ours but send in a spare set of clothes in drawstring bag. I would say unless allergies the caterers can’t cope with it’s a good idea to try school lunches. Hearty snacks on riskier days menuwise I.e. oatcakes and cheese

Woeismethischristmas · 20/08/2021 10:53

Also our school was full time from day one last year and this year. It used to be just mornings for two weeks. They started ten minutes later so the playground was a bit quieter the first week.

ineedaholidaynow · 20/08/2021 10:55

Schools are possibly still waiting to draw up their final plans due to changes in COVID restrictions but I would assume you should have had some communication by now. Email school, someone may be monitoring emails now, and if not they will be before schools go back.

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