SCHOOL- starting in sept..anyone?

[laneydaye]

my ds is........ and wont be 5 till january...
scary..
im exited i think, but a little scAred!
how do you feel?

got dd at home so wont be bored though....xx

We're very casual uniform wise at dd's "new" school. A few sweatshirts with logo, polo shirts, trousers/skirt or pinafore is only required plus games kit. No tie, blazer or regulation coat. The uniform outfitters were doing BOGOF as well so I'm pretty relieved that the cost is under control .

Earlybird

I knonw exactly what you mean. My dd went for her induction hour on Monday. Although her new teacher saw her as being confident, I could see (I was allowed to stay as the school is new to us) a subtle change in her behaviour within the classroom. She is usually very outgoing - that morning she was a bit uncertain and hung about on the sidelines. Since then she has been really clingy, cuddly and tearful at home.

I haven't had the opportunity to ask her nursery how she is there. However I was so perturbed that I asked the Head of a nursery school that I happen to know about her behaviour. She, too, felt that was due to my dd realising that something really big is about to happen. I managed to ask my dd about this today, by saying that my friend was telling me that some children in her school were feeling a bit sad. Interestingly, she admitted that she had felt a bit bothered that she hadn't known any of the children at the school.

mine are well past this stage but if there is any way the schools will let you have telephone numbers of other parents you could invite one or two around so that there will be a fmailiar face or two on the first day. If the school doesn't have a buddy scheme (older child looks out for younger one or prefects who monitor a bus stop for those needing a bit of help) ask them to set one up.

Its not a problem where I lived because the children already knew older pupils from playgroups/ swimming classes and so on.

We hit the school uniform shop on Saturday in a vague attempt to be prepared. DS was very excited, especially when one of his friends + parents turned up with the same idea. DS absolutely loves his school cap, and went to bed in it last night - it will be a miracle if the cap makes it clean / intact to the first day of school. The gaberdine coat is on order (a snip at £69 ) and we don't have to get a blazer until Summer term, although are tempted to - I wish I knew how much DS will grow by next year. Even the shirts have to be from the official stockist so it's only shoes plus trainers we need to get now. As DS has to wear a tie we've bought him both the normal one and the cheat's one with elastic - he hasn't yet fully mastered buttons (must practise over the summer) so a tie is going to be completely beyond him. The first day of school is going to be so funny - all these kids in completely enormous clothes.

Oh, and I've already got my name tags (also from the Mumsnet people), but can iron them on. I think my mum will come in very useful for taking up DS's trousers, though, which have obviously been made for the tallest boys in the world.

only just found this thread, but dd1 is also starting school in sept. and initially I thought she'd be fine, but after the induction day I'm not so sure anymore, as she just stuck to me like glue, and I was the only mum in a class of 14 not allowed to leave the classroom!!!

Not a good start...her verdict at the end was 'I don't like this school.I don't want to go back.'

I think she felt intimidated as she didn't know anyone, but having said that, last year she went to a holiday club creche without batting an eyelid, and we din't know anyone there for sure...

Also I'm quite worried that she'll do full time right from the first day, including lunch etc...and the school starts early, 8.30, I don't know how I'm going to manage the morning breakfast etc.

She's been going to a day nursery providing breakfast until now, so all we had to do before leaving the house was getting dressed....anyone thought about their morning routines? What time are you going tog et up???

Earlybird is your dd going to a private school? So is mine, we got her uniform (still waiting for the coat and cardigan) but the smallest size is so big, she'll look so funny, poor thing....

My commiserations webmum. Is that it for induction then?

At Ds1's school they're called in from the playground at 8:15 with registration at 8:25. Getting breakfast in for us will be the big difficulty - we're usually down at the breakfast table by 7:45, but unless I dress ds2 after I drop ds1 off we're going to have to change!

He's been to the school for shortish periods on a couple of occasions now, and for the first 3 days he just goes in the afternoon, though the following Monday he starts full days.

We've also used Easy2name but I've gone for iron-on. All our uniform is purchased and with us apart from shoes. Mum has also offered to assist with turning up etc nearer the time!

Thanks Ladymuck

yes they only do one session of a couple of hours, and that's it..next time she'll be going from 8.40 till 3.30 pm!!!

I'm so glad I've postponed my return to work (currently on maternity leave, should have gone back in sept, but got career break)as it would hae been a nightmare, getting one at nursery and teh other at school, crying (for sure) and at work on time!!!

Ok I'm feeling v inadequate already as you lot are so organised ! Very little uniform here so far - got 2 to kit out. Next secondhand sale is Sept 1st and then it's off to school shop to top up the gaps. In the meantime has anyone seen red polo neck cotton tops anywhere ? Also yet to order name tags - where is the MN link or is there a discount code.

Both dd (4 soon) and ds(7) are at a summer activity week at their new school this week. ds loves it, dd less sure. Bit of a turn around as at their visit in June dd was much the more settled.

Anyone know where you get plain fabric drawstring 'pump bags'/PE bags that you can sew a name onto?

GDG - I think Clarks may do them

Oh thanks BH - will try there.

Hi everyone, I've only just found this thread, I hope you don't mind if i join you.

My DS1 is 5 in January and starts school in September, attends from 1-3:15 for the first week, 9-12 the second then full time from the third week onwards. He attended the nursery which is attached to the school and a lot of his friends are going to the school aswell so hopefully he will settle in ok. The chances are it will be me who will be in tears though , people who I've spoken to about this seem to think that because I have DS2 (12 weeks) I won't miss DS1 but they couldn't be more wrong

Finally re: uniforms, we got ours from the school as they have the school logo embroidered onto them and cost a bloody fortune. We got his trousers from adams on buy one get one half price, just got to get his shoes now...

HI, DS1 just turned 4 earlier this month and off to school on 5th september. Ordered his kit from M&S, but not being delivered until the end of the month - so now going to have buy some just in case it doesn't arrive in time - Aaaargh. As you can see not prepared at all.

DS1 just doing mornings at least until half term. But I work three days a week 9-2.30 so boss being understanding and letting me work shorter days 9-12.50 as I don't have anyone else to pick him up. DP just about to go away working for 5 weeks so all a bit stressful really.

When does everyone start - us 5th September

Start here on 7th Sept but full time straightaway.

Those born April onwards start the following week with 3 morns or 3 afternoons before going full time. Ds1 was born at end of March so he justs get in to the full time from day one - phew!

Got all his kit now - washing it through. Need to put labels on and get his shoes then it's all go!

Shoot .. didn't even think to wash it first .. bad mum

now have pe kit and bag but need white socks

have school uniform but need shoes

am torn between ... awwwwww and can't blinkin' wait

Yes my DS is off into the big wide world !
His 5th birthday is at the end of Sept so he is more than ready.

He has 3 weeks of half days though (not even a proper half day just : 9-11.30) which is a nightmare to work round (we both work !) - lots of juggling to be done !

Twig - I didn't really know whether to wash first but thought they would be softer and not have that new smell on them! Am I mad??

I think you're always supposed to wash new clothes first aren't you

oh well I've got till 7th too .. DS doing 2 weeks of half days then full time ..but after first 2 days of half-days he gets to eat lunch at school

so next question

packed lunch of school dinners??

Well, no uniform worries here - thank heavens - and I've got DD1 a pair of little trainers for outdoor PE and her lunchbag...and am beginning to feel slightly sad that we only have two Fridays left together before she starts (full-time) on 6 September.

Twig, I'm doing packed lunches. DP clearly thinks this is yet another demonstration of my angsty middle-class fussiness (as manifested first in the fact I held out for the school I really like even though it's a logistical nightmare - not the one our childminder picks up from nor the one round the corner from us). Fortunately DD1 has discovered she likes cheese, and many other potential sandwich-fillings.

Ds1 starts on 7 Sept - afernoons only for the first 3 days and then starts full time on the Monday. Bumped into one of the other mums with a boy starting in the same class and we've had a couple of playdates which seem to have gone well (Both mums more taken up with younger siblings!). Alas the other boy starts int he mornings, but it is only for 3 days!

I have very flexible working, but I just can't get my head around what my routine will look like (not least because ds2 will need to be potty trained, and probably needs more stimulation interms of toddler group/gym class or something).

Apparently the last bits of my uniform have been posted out, but I'm still unsure about what they're allowed to wear when (bought tank top raher than pullover, but other mum thinks they can only wear those until halfterm - sigh).

Ds1 is really looking forward to it!

School dinners are easy here - there is simply no option! As well as the hot meals there are sandwiches and a "salad bar" (which I read as being raw carrot, cucumber, ham and cheese).

Have the shoes (had to go to Jones' to get Startrite as Clarks have nothing suitable for school in its range for her size) and ordered the labels, but very little yet uniform wise, Seen any navy long socks for up to 6 - 8 1/2 anyone ? Tesco had white but not blue.

School lunch is compulsory so no faffing aroudn with pack lunches each morning - Phew !

Less than 3 weeks to go ....

Doing school lunches - at least to start with. I'm a bit anxious about this as ds1 is very fussy and he certainly wouldn't have eaten the sample meal we saw on our visit (some sort of curry with rice and some big florets of brocolli on the side). However there is a bread and salad option and there's fruit which I know he'll eat.

I'm hoping he will try more new foods if his friends are eating it. If not and he ends up ravenous then I'll go to packed lunches to make sure he eats well.