School uniform out of stock nightmare!!

[Cleo2628]

Posting on here for traffic because I’m in full panic mode … totally my fault for leaving this so last minute. I though I had a load of age 4/5 school dresses from older DD for my new reception starter. Managed to finally get in the loft today and turns out I have 1!!
Everywhere online out of stock and says out of stock in store too apart from London Oxford street which has 1. (I live in Surrey)
contacted the school second hand shop lady but understandebly haven’t heard back yet

what do I do! 😭

At my kids school reception girls started September in winter uniform even though dresses were optional until half term due to the lack of availability and risk of growing out of them by summer.

Don’t panic!

You have one, which will last you the first day or two of term and you can wash it after school…

Is it a dress with a school logo or specific design? There’s loads of age 4-5 pinafores/summer dresses in stock on George website …

Yes, start in winter uniform surely?

Our primary didn’t allow summer dresses in September anyway. Just sent her in winter uniform or wash it daily / when needed until you get more

Are they a specific style or colour of dress?

I'm seeing school uniform in all the supermarkets and loads of stock online in M&S and Next and all the other high street shops, but that's looking at just standard gingham summer dresses or grey basic pinafores

Does your school have a PTA where preloved uniform is sold to raise funds for the school?

Green gingham dress is what I need age 4-5 but could get away with 5-6

our school doesn’t allow winter uniform until after October half term unfortunately

You have one so it should last two days then wash it.

Next - www.next.co.uk/shop/gender-oldergirls-gender-youngergirls-productaffiliation-schoolwear/category-dresses-colour-green-size-45years

Look on Facebook marketplace, should be loads on there.

Is it a private school where you need a specific one? If it is then I’d message the parents of your older DD’s class to see if they have any outgrown and failing that the school office to see if they can help. If it doesn’t have to be the one type then you must be able to find one somewhere, supermarkets for instance?

Is there a school facebook to ask on? Year group WhatsApp from your older child?

I got loads of uniform on vinted.

Even just asking to borrow one or two?!

Lots on Amazon if you can have a generic green gingham school dress and not a specific style?

John Lewis - www.johnlewis.com/browse/baby-child/school-uniform-shop/view-all-girls-school-uniform/dresses/green/size=4-years/_/N-7c5nZ1z13zt3Z1z141f5Zodrg

I did the same thing last year! Never again. Managed to get a delivery the day before she started school! My own stupid fault. Lesson learnt. I bought this year's uniform the first week of August! Never going to happen to me again 😆 You could post on your local face book page, asking to buy second hand uniform?

Try to find secondhand maybe - vinted, ebay, Facebook marketplace. Ask school mums? Or is there a local Facebook parent group you could ask?

I’d say rules about no winter uniform before half term + an actual lady for an actual second hand shop suggests probably private?

In which case, I’m willing to bet you have a washing machine and dryer (or can afford a heated airer). Just wash it as needed in the evening until they’re back in stock

This does not class as a nightmare 😉

Even allowing for how messy little ones can be, I doubt you’ll need to wash daily.

As you have a daughter who has already been there, don’t you have other parent contacts you can ask?

If it is a state primary, request in the most local area Facebook page will often dig up someone with ones they’ve been meaning to drop into the PTA sales for ages!

John Lewis looks to be in stock.

There's loads on Vinted if there the standard checked dresses

Just rinse it thru each night….won’t take long to dry

Looking at your previous posts, the older girl was only 5 last summer.
Iron on hemming tape is a miracle… lots of kids will have too-big clothes in Reception. Can you just take one of hers up?
Although I still recommend just getting by with one, that’s perfectly do-able for most people.

Well I tried to be organised this year, ordered uniform at the end of June when there was 25% off, ds tried it on 2 nights ago and it's too small. Nothing available in his sizes at all. I had to make trips to Asda, Sainsbury's and M&S today. Still not right so have to go back tomorrow.

next have the green gingham play suits in in size 6 which is the same as 5-6. Is it a state school? It seems strict to say no winter uniform until November