School uniform help

[mummyp1gs]

My daughter is starting reception in September. I’m a primary school teacher and I’ve been on this side of school for over a decade but being a school mum is brand new to me!

I’ve been sorting her uniform and so far have:

packet of grey tights
pinafores x2
summer dresses x2
packet of 5 white polos
school branded cardigans x2
packet of white ankle socks
packet of long socks
school branded book bag

What do I need to buy more of? I won’t be sourcing her shoes until August.

PE kit?

Mine liked to option of trousers - especially in the winter.
They also preferred jumper/sweatshirt in the cooler months.

ah yes, sorted PE kit too.

Do you know what the arrangements are for PE like how often, if they change or if they wear sports kit on those days? If 4+ days a week she’s in the full uniform I’d want an extra pinafore, cardigan and summer to equal one on, one in the wash and one spare. Also, what about a change to hang on her peg in case of an accident? Even if she’s reliable there can be cases of not getting the dress out of the way so quite common for schools to ask for this.

You’ll need more than 2 cardigans at the rate they lose them. Or mine did anyway.

And yes to pp’s suggestion of getting her a trouser option. Much more practical for running around.

I’d do three cardigan as they’ll come home full of dirt! One wash, one dry and one to wear! Same with skirts/trousers Clean tights daily! I wouldn’t bother with summer dresses yet as they might grow by next summers.

My dd is in reception currently. We have 4 grey pinafores and 4 polo tops for winter, 4 summer dresses, 2 cardigans, 2 packs ankle socks, 2 grey and 2 red tights. She didn’t want trousers so we just have dresses.

And name tapes/Sharpie pen for everything apart from socks, if you want to have a hope of lost property making its way back to you!

Sounds fine to me.
My girl had pretty much just 2 of everything (2 polos, 2 sweatshirts, 2 pinafores).
By summer she had switched to shorts and had a couple of pairs of those.
To be fair though she rarely wore her sweatshirt.

Do the socks have to be white? White socks are a nightmare to keep clean.

Does she like wearing tights? If not, trousers in winter is a much better option.

Maybe get another packet of polo tops as you are likely to get black whiteboard marker ink all over them and they NEVER come out.

Maybe thin cotton cycle shorts for under the summer dress? Young kids often lift their skirts up no matter how often you tell them not to.

Black or grey socks are better.@

I'd buy a couple of generic cardigans as well

They may still need a hat in September depending on weather.

I wouldn't buy a load of polo tops and 2 of everything else. Summer dresses can wait as they don't usually wear them till after Easter. I often buy replacements after the first term is over. Kids grow fast and things often get worn out so I don't buy all in one go.

• would

I haven’t bought anything yet! I was just going to get four pairs of grey school trousers, then four school polo shirts, two jumpers, one fleece and a PE kit. And the book bag. Do they need anything more? I was just going to order at the transition day.

I've always bought five of everything. They get absolutely filthy at school so I like to know I've got a full week's worth at a push and don't have to do an emergency load of laundry. Plus school will normally ask for one full spare set of uniform to keep on their peg at school in case of accidents (our school did anyway.)

Cycling shorts for under dresses so they're not flashing their knickers when hanging upside down from the monkey bars 🤣.

Forest school things if your school does it. Spare pair of wellies, waterproofs etc.

We always forgot the book bag and DDs have a rucksack with two separate sections and a bottle holder on the side. Way more practical and it means their reading folder goes in the main section, they know the front pocket is where their hat/sun cream/gloves etc are depending on time of year and their water bottle goes in the pocket on the side. Then they can carry all of their own stuff easily. I did buy a book bag when DD1 first started but got rid of it after the first week.

Four year olds don’t need cycling shorts, surely!

I would get more than 2 cardigans or maybe some sweatshirts, my DD needs a new one most days so you'll just land up doing a load of washing if you only have 2.