Kids school uniforms - shorts and skirts?

[rhaenyraT]

Dd just started reception so I’m new to this. Had a message a few days ago reminding parents that girls wearing skirts and dresses must wear shorts underneath (this was never specified in the initial uniform instructions). I will get dd some cycling shorts but haven’t been anywhere yet where I can pick some up cheaply. Teacher ‘reminded’ me again today. Is this a thing in schools? I’m presuming it’s for modesty reasons but they are 4! Is it a big deal? Obviously I’ll do it but if it’s so important I’m not sure why it wasn’t mentioned in the initial welcome pack.

Yeah it was very rude. I was asking a genuine question and it’s related to the thread as the shorts are literally about modesty.

obviously the poster took offence but the response was uncalled for. Horrible people on here sometimes. I wasn’t crossing any boundaries - just asking a genuine question. If they had said “I don’t feel comfortable answering that then fine”. But other people can answer if they want to. The response was an attack and the meme wasn’t pleasant.

oh well the joys of Mumsnet. But thanks for trying!

Many change separately now. Depends on the school of course. Or for many schools like ours they go to school on PE days in their kit which is great. Less lost stuff to worry about too!

Not a thing at our school, it’s optional. Just checked and nothing in the uniform policy. Have been sending daughter in dress with no shirts since beginning of term

You’re welcome! I do get tired of nasty knee jerk responses on here sometimes so try and stick up for people. Obviously touched a nerve somehow with that poster, which I’m sure you didn’t mean to.

Ours have come in in school PE kit for PE days for a good few years now and it’s so much easier with little ones!

I do think it's ridiculous. Knickers are there to protect modesty, you don't then need to hide the knickers. Soon you'll need something else to hide the shorts and before we know it showing an ankle will be scandalous (joke).

Getting changed is part of the EY curriculum so it's not uncommon for reception to get changed in school but everyone else wear kit.

When 4 year olds are sat on the carpet they generally aren’t the best at making sure they are covered up! The very very vast majority of school staff have no interest in seeing a child’s underwear but believe me it’s not avoidable!

(I would love to say no school staff but sadly nobody can 100% guarantee that)

My DD started reception a few weeks ago too. I gave her the option of shorts under her skirts, not interested. No one should be looking at a 4 year olds pants in a weird way at school anyway. Half the kids in my kids class seem to wear their own clothes a lot of the time and I don't judge that so 🫠
It will be tights weather soon and if she wants shorts next year she can.

My DD is 4 and they go to school in pe kit and forest school kit on specified days. There is zero getting changed at school for any year group.

Knickers can gap or bunch when sitting crossed legged. No one wants to see a child private parts.

If you don't want shorts then buy short style underwear in black

@ratatouillemousesqueak it's honestly hilarious that you're both publicly slagging me off for being "nasty" and "horrible" while simultaneously patting yourselves on the back for being nice people.

School uniform ranges in supermarkets, cycle shorts / sports shorts are about £3 for a two pack.

I think the tighter fitting short style underwear is a good compromise for those who don’t want cycle shorts.

I know a couple of friends kids who wear the shorts to stop their legs rubbing too.

Any school demanding shorts under skirts so that girls don’t get picked on for showing their underwear need to refocus their attention on those doing the picking on.

In 20+ years in education I’ve never worked in a school that had that policy.

One school sent a generic letter out (with the intention of approaching parents specifically if necessary) once asking that they ensured underwear fitted properly so it covered up properly when sitting on the floor.

My 15 year old never had shorts under her skirt /pinafore/dress at primary. Never even thought of it. She started wearing them under her secondary skirt so the nasty fabric wasn’t touching her skin.

A bit unusual for that age. Perhaps get short style knickers. Girls do wear shorts under skirts when they get older.

In the 90s we had uniform knickers that were thick like terry towelling. A bit uncomfortable but they covered us up.