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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want my 4 year old to wear a school tie?

164 replies

lulu3376 · 09/04/2011 21:42

I am new to forums so hope I get this right!

I just wanted to get the general consensus of other mums out there. My 4 year old starts reception in September and a tie is part of the school uniform. I don't have a problem with ties but did not think they would expect reception kids to wear one - but they do!

I am even more surprised that they have to wear a proper tie not even a clip on or elasticated! I am not happy about this because I do not think its necessary at this age but even more so i don't think its very safe - ties can get tightened in rough and tumble and even more seriously, can get caught on climbing equipment.

That's my views/concerns - what does everyone else think???

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 09/04/2011 21:43

Its quite frankly, ridiculous to make a 4 year old wear a tie

yanbu

emsyj · 09/04/2011 21:45

Elastic ties are surely the norm for little children - why on earth are they not allowed to wear elastic ones??? Confused

Very silly IMO.

tribpot · 09/04/2011 21:46

ds (5) has a classmate who wears a clip-on tie out of choice, and he looks very sweet. But I would not be happy with a real tie being a mandatory part of the uniform - for the safety reasons you outline.

pooka · 09/04/2011 21:47

Elastic ties all the way at our school. But optional only. We have a very relaxed uniform (yellow or white polo shirts or shirts. Black or grey trousers or skirts. Green or grey jumpers or cardigans. Yellow or green checked frocks - means that parents can bargain hunt, but there is a vague school identity).

Happymm · 09/04/2011 21:48

My 4year old does to:( Has been a right pita this year! YANBU!

Happymm · 09/04/2011 21:49

However,saying that,he does look very smart!:o

sickoftheholidays · 09/04/2011 21:49

My children both wore ties as part of their uniform from the age of 2.5, elasticated of course, but I thought they actually loked arther sweet.
I'm afraid you will probably have to suck it up though, if you want them to attend the school, the uniform is the uniform and rules are not there to be broken.

topsyturner · 09/04/2011 21:50

Both my children have managed to survive wearing school ties since they were 4 .
I don't recall hearing of any child in their school having any tie related injuries .

MerryMarigold · 09/04/2011 21:50

God help the teachers after P.E!

Awful in summer as well. Do they need to wear it if not wearing a jumper?

Change schools for somewhere less poncey?!

TheArmadillo · 09/04/2011 21:51

is it a private school? If so surely you checked out the uniform before sending him there?

If state they can't inforce uniform at a primary level - so get him an elasticated or clip on one and tell them to go screw themselves (politely of course Wink)

usualsuspect · 09/04/2011 21:51

4 year olds don't need to look smart

a 2.5 year old in a tie is beyond ridiculous

TheArmadillo · 09/04/2011 21:51

*enforce

sorry Blush

reddaisy · 09/04/2011 21:52

We (boys and girls) always had to wear a tie at primary school too. Apart from in the summer when we could wear dresses. I think it looks very smart and I don't recall any issues with safety, I think that is mostly paranoia.

However I think elasticated ones should be allowed as it will be more of a PITA for teachers who have to help the little ones after every PE lesson etc.

Why don't you send him in an elasticated one as I bet the school won't even notice?

bubblecoral · 09/04/2011 21:54

If you don't want your child to wear that school's uniform, you should find another school.

It's wierd that they don't allow elastic ones though.

borderslass · 09/04/2011 21:54

When DD1 started school at 5 she wore a tie but I knotted it and sewed elastic on it myself schools suggestion, was only a small school and wasn't viable to have two lots of ties.

Hulababy · 09/04/2011 21:54

DD has worn a tie since starting school. She's in Y4 now. Part of her winter uniform. Has never been an issue. She learnt to tie it within the first half term and despite engaging in lots of running around, giddy play durig the day it has never been a safety issue.

I had to wear one to at school even from primary, as did my brother and sister.

cornsilkily · 09/04/2011 21:55

Schools in the UK are obsessed with uniform. It's ridiculous.

Sirzy · 09/04/2011 21:58

I have no problem with them for 4 year olds but think elastic ones make much more sense!

At primary school we had elastic ties in infants and proper ties in the juniors.

girliefriend · 09/04/2011 21:59

I wouldn't want my 4/5yo wearing a tie - think its bloody ridiculous to be honest that any child of any age should 'have' to wear one!!!

If its private school - thats what you get!
If its a local school take it up with the head teacher or look round some more schools!!!

FabbyChic · 09/04/2011 22:00

My son is 23 when he started school he had to wear a tie and that was some 19 years ago, it was an elasticated one and he looked awesome.

thatsenough · 09/04/2011 22:00

Elastic ties from pre-school to year 2 at our school. Proper ties for juniors only.

God help the teachers they have a big enough problem getting the nursery and reception classes back into their uniform after PE as it is!

BlueAmy · 09/04/2011 22:01

Generally, uniform is a good thing once they are in school. I would not want my DC going to a school that didn't have a uniform code. But I do draw the line at what the OP is expected to dress her child in. Clip on tie would be a decent compromise, but a small child dressed in a potentially dangerous item day in day out would not be okay with me. Not to mention the nightmares they will go through with dressing after P.E. and swimming.

SkinittingFluffyBunnyBonnets · 09/04/2011 22:07

DD has worn one since she was 3 and a half....it's not a problem. She has an elasticated one.

ChippyMinton · 09/04/2011 22:08

My DC have worn ties since reception (state school btw). They quickly learnt to tie them by themselves. And no accidents wearing them either. You are worrying unnecessarily.

elphabadefiesgravity · 09/04/2011 22:11

DD and ds go to a private school and have worn elastic ties since reception.

However the catholic state primaries expect their 3 year old nursery children to wear shirt & tie. Now that is ridiculous.

But I can't even tie a proper tie. they should do elastic ones.