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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To buy a "uniform" for toddler when at the childminders?

68 replies

AuroraFloyd · 25/08/2017 10:48

I'm going back to work full time in September and trying to think of ways to make mornings less stressful.

Ds is at school, wears a uniform and as he likes routine this has never been a problem. He knows what he needs to wear and gets on with it.

Dd is 2. She has dozens of outfits to choose from due to hand me downs from family. She likes to choose what she wears and get herself dressed. This can take a while as she won't accept help until she gets herself stuck and gives up. This is going to be a nightmare once I'm back at work and trying to get everyone out the door, even if I plan outfits the night before.

So I thought, what if I get her a "uniform" to wear at the childminders? She will happily wear it because her big brother is. Polo shirts are easy for her to put on herself, I can team them with plain leggings, or pinafore dresses so it doesn't look too schooly. And I don't have to worry about nice clothes getting wrecked.

Good idea? Or batshit?

OP posts:

MessyBun247 · 25/08/2017 10:49

I think its a pretty good idea!

ASDismynormality · 25/08/2017 10:50

Sounds like a great idea!

WinchestersInATardis · 25/08/2017 10:50

Sounds like a good idea to me

mintbiscuit · 25/08/2017 10:52

Actually I quite like the idea! If it gets you out the house with less hassle why not?

Only other alternative would be to get your dd to choose her outfit the night before.

I'm seriously considering doing this for my youngest 2 who are at nursery now.... would make it so much easier for clothes shopping!

MrsMotherHen · 25/08/2017 10:52

sounds great maybe plain leggins and different colour polos so she can still "choose" what she is wearing.

minisoksmakehardwork · 25/08/2017 10:55

I did this when Dts went to preschool. It meant all their good clothes were kept nice and neither I nor the preschool were worrying about what they were wearing. It was practical too - polo shirts (not white mind, I went with navy as was school colours), sweatshirts and either leggings or joggers. Infinitely practical and easy for the dc to manage too.

Original poster

AuroraFloyd · 25/08/2017 10:56

Dh thinks it's batshit. I also thought it would make labelling her clothes easier if I only have to ensure a set number of items are labelled, rather than everything she might possibly choose from her wardrobe!

OP posts:

PandaG · 25/08/2017 10:57

Could sort out stuff that you already have ie leggings, t-shirts and polo shirts, all in one drawer which is her childminder drawer. She can then choose, but from stuff you have already determined is suitable.

MrsCrankypants · 25/08/2017 10:57

Definitely a good idea. I have done something similar, I got lots of different coloured leggings and t shirts that can mix and match and they are all in a separate drawer together. So in the morning I can just grab something and dress DD and if she spots a different top or leggings I just go with what she wants and it all looks fine together. It saves a lot of toddler arguments and is much quicker than pre planning outfits. Plus I find everything gets destroyed fairly quickly with paint, sandpits and general toddler dirt so I keep her nicer things for the weekend

maddiemookins16mum · 25/08/2017 11:02

Anything that makes your mornings easier has to be a good idea.

RiverTam · 25/08/2017 11:04

Seems a waste of money if you have loads of clothes for her anyway. I would separate them into 'childminder' and 'other' wear, and let her choose her outfit the night before.

But then, I have a child at a non-uniform school and I actually think that being able to select your clothes and make a good choice depending on the day's activities is a pretty good skill to learn. At 6, DD was able to judge that wearing tights if she had swimming after school wasn't a great idea, for example.

Nuttynoo · 25/08/2017 11:07

We had a seperate cupboard for childminder clothes that dd could choose from.

Ttbb · 25/08/2017 11:12

Great idea!

BabyAndBunny · 25/08/2017 11:15

That is honestly such a brilliant idea! Will get her used to wearing a uniform plus adds some routine and structure!

Then she can choose her 'weekend' clothes which will be fun!

Brill idea!

CruCru · 25/08/2017 11:15

Sounds like a great idea. I decide what my daughter is wearing the night before and lay it out for her but your idea is just as good.

PeppaPigObsession · 25/08/2017 11:16

My DD is 2 and had a unifrom for Nursery. A polo shirt and a sweatshirt with Nursery logo on. It's not compulsory but I like it because otherwise DD will spend ages choosing an outfit to wear. I've just been using cheap multi-packs of leggings in different colours with it. She does still sometimes wear her other clothes on charity days or dress up days. I've noticed more and more of the parents buying the uniform for the younger ones.

justforthisthread101 · 25/08/2017 11:17

Great idea. Also, however, my DD2 gets two choices and that is it. She used to object at the beginning but as she knows I'm not for moving, she gets on with it.

Nomoreboomandbust · 25/08/2017 11:19

As a cm for years back in the day yes yes yes yes!!!

Please don't dress to impress. I always asked my parents to dress the kids in old clothes as we had a very out doors setting and getting dirty was non negotiable. Give your cm spares too. Labelling is fabulous.

Your cm will love you.

MrsOverTheRoad · 25/08/2017 11:20

It's a good idea OP. I'm not in the UK and my DD is 9 and in a school with no uniform.

She's such a grubby kid that all her decent clothes were getting ruined. I got her a large choice of leggings and joggers...but not expensive ones! Plus plain tees and sweatshirts.

They're for school wear and she has other things for weekends.

SometimesMaybe · 25/08/2017 11:23

Great idea. My youngest is still at nursery (no uniform) but I have realised half a dozen collared t shirts in different colours and the same amount of shorts helps no end - everything matches, they wash easy (don't need ironed) and I don't care if they get covered in paint etc, and it still looks smart.

Copperspot · 25/08/2017 11:23

My friend kind of did this. She had a drawer of 'nursery' clothes. Just a load of basic asda/primark leggings and t shirts. Things she wasn't as bothered about getting ruined. Then she had her nice clothes on a weekend / parties.

Made life much easier!

Viviennemary · 25/08/2017 11:23

Anything for an easier life. good idea.

Ceefax101 · 25/08/2017 11:25

As a cm I love it when the parents send the little ones in old leggings and tops and decent comfy shoes. So much easier for them to climb, run, paint, play etc. And leave a few spare sets with me. Most hated outfits are things like dungarees and mini converse (on child wearing pull ups). Don't buy new stuff!

featherup · 25/08/2017 11:25

Definitely not batshit OP . I have always done that for the DC's when they have been at nursery. Youngest is starting in September and I will be doing the same. I always pick clothes that won't matter too much if anything happens to them.

I take it that you DH is not the one who gets them ready and out in the morning?

MrsJayy · 25/08/2017 11:26

I used to have playgroup clothes for mine leggings and t shirts 3 x a week done and dusted no faffing about clothes no worrying about stains on good clothes i think it is a clever idea ☺

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