to ask for tips/advice for someone with school starter in Sept?

[cjt110]

Was asking on another thread about the second mortgage I need to take out for the school uniforms.

Wondered if anyone would like to share any advice, tips or stories for those with children starting school in Sept?

Apparently when I went for my first day of school, on returning home I declared to my Mum "That's it. I've been to school now" Never mind I had another 17 or so years to do in education!

Put girls in trousers not skirts or pinafore in winter. Getting tights up and down for the toilet and changing for P.E are a nightmare.

In terms of uniform I buy:
2 pairs of shorts
5 trousers (elastic waist!)
3 jumpers
2 cardis
367743 pairs of socks

I get most from Asda apart from the logo jumpers. Asda stuff lasts the year, the trousers started getting holes in the knees from March but I doubt John Lewis ones would fare better!

Mynametags.com are excellent. They go on bags, clothes, shoes, bottles l, everything. Don't even bother with Cash's name tapes!

If the school allows it, put a distinctive key ring on their book bag. It will help identify it from the 29 others!

A good breakfast to start their day.

Snack for after school.

Don't, don't, don't try to compare your child with the others in the class. Most of us do it, but it's honestly meaningless as they all develop at different rates at this age. In any case, there might be 11months (almost a quarter of a 4yo's lifetime) between them.

If they have packed lunch, make sure they can open a yoghurt pot, peel a satsuma etc.

If you have a child with long hair, tie it back and maybe use shampoo with tea tree it it. Deters nits.

I wouldn’t send them in summer uniform they will look odd, even though it can be hot in September.

Parents cut labels out of clothes (seen it done!) marker pen in back of neck too.
Small keyring on their book bag so they can find their own.
Dressing skills are highly prized.
Find out whether lunches are chilled, if not freeze yoghurt and chill drink.

It helps if they can recognise their name, and put on their coat and shoes.

Arm yourself with sticky name labels, name tapes and a sharpie, for labelling everything!

Name everything.

Find out if there is any sort of second hand uniform for sale if the school has stuff with mandatory logo on.

Make sure your child is self sufficient when they go - can use a knife and fork, toilet themselves independently (esp. wiping properly on their own - you’d be surprised how many school starters can’t......), can fasten and unfasten their own shoes.

Check out the summer fair for a nose round is a good one.

Keep on top of the admin from the start is a really good plan.

Start a class whatsapp group or find out if another parent has - this was very useful in the early days to keep on top of things.

Become very good at making spectacular fancy dress outfits at extremely short notice 😆

Playground politics between parents can be fierce and sometimes vicious. I think it’s important to be aware of this. Of course there will be some lovely other parents but a lot seem to revert to behaving like they are back in school themselves.

Practice dressing and undressing, including turning inside out clothes the right way round and shoes and socks.

If they aren't used to eating whole pieces of fruit, try and get them used to it. I made this mistake with my eldest - thought he was great at eating such a huge variety of fruit and veg, then realised when he started school that he had no idea what to do when at 4 he was presented with a whole carrot or an unchopped apple.

Name EVERYTHING!

Let them have some playtime with their new lunch/snack box, book bag and PE kit bag, it will give them an easier time if they're used to using them.

Ask to organise taster sessions if possible to help them settle in. Ask the school to liase with nursery where possible. Ask the school to have a class rep/volunteer to do it as well as a class/school directory. Make sure that you child can hold a pencil properly. Practice sitting on the carpet/table for prolonged periods of time of they don't ajar do this at nursery. Make sure that they ate and to feed, change and, toilet themselves. Practice the route to school in the mornings a few times if you are driving/using public transport to avoid being late on the first day. Make sure that your child can recognise their own name.

Don't sign up to be class rep - you'll be stuck with that role for the next 7 years - but do make sure you're on the class WhatsApp as parents of older children have their shit together and will share it. Plus despite your best organisational intentions, you wiĺl forget a dress up day or day trip until 7pm the night before when some kindly soul will put a cheery "don't forget xyz tomorrow "

Bulk buy age 5 cards from card factory and a load of cheap presents because birthday parties in reception are mainly all class ones and this will save lots of hassle.

The autumn term is a long bastard. Your child will be exhausted for the first 3 weeks, get the hang of things for the next 2 weeks, then be exhausted again as you count the days until half term. Be prepared for lots of meltdowns. The second half is equally long but filled with Christmas activities so not nearly as wearing.

Don't, don't, don't try to compare your child with the others in the class. Most of us do it, but it's honestly meaningless as they all develop at different rates at this age. In any case, there might be 11months (almost a quarter of a 4yo's lifetime) between them. My son is an August baby so this is entirely true!