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Original poster

DS starting Reception in September

95 replies

PrettyCandles · 02/08/2005 15:20

What do I need to prepare for him?

The school list only uniform. What else ought I to have ready?

Also, I'm not the world's greatest fan of synthetics, is there anywhere I can get grey school trousers that aren't made of 100% polyester?

OP posts:

foxinsocks · 07/08/2005 21:28

If it's a cheap shirt, then I know lots of people make a little snick into the top few button holes (not big enough so that the button is constantly undone, but easier for little hands). Sew a little stitch into the end of the snick so it doesn't get bigger and he should be OK (and then do what mumbee said and show him how he only has to undo the top few to get it off).

M&S uniform has lasted us brilliantly. We got a lot at Sainsburys last year which wore well but was killed in the wash. Would also second John Lewis for good fabric (we found loads of lovely cotton stuff which didn't irritate dd's skin) but you do pay a lot more for it.

pabla · 08/08/2005 11:14

BHS also do elasticated trousers - got some for DS1 last week - £10 for two pairs. Tescos are advertising quite cheap school uniforms too - I might get some extra there for spares (or if they look as good, I'll return the ones to BHS!)

As my kids go to a catholic school, I have the added task of teaching ds1 to bless himself and say a couple of prayers (suggested by the reception teacher at our parents meeting.) He has no interest whatsoever so far. Not sure how he is going to take to the RE stuff, dd was very impressed with it but he is more likely to think they are joking

Dannie · 08/08/2005 14:59

If you're buying from M&S, the wool mix jumpers wash a lot better than the cotton mix ones. For some reason, our M&S only stocks the cotton ones nd you have to order the wool ones

Maddison · 08/08/2005 16:29

We had to order DS's school uniform from the school - they wear polo shirts and jumpers with the school logo embroidered on and cost a fortune compared to the supermarkets and high street shops. We got his dark grey trousers with elasticated waists from Adams, iirc they were buy one get the second half price

missd · 08/08/2005 18:46

my dd1 also starts shcool in sept, she's v. excited I know I'll be in tears.
I got her tunic dresses and cardigans in Matalan, they've got a half price sale on and the dresses were only £2.50. I'd already got her shirts at Asda's. I like the idea about sniping the button holes. I've ordered name tags with ddi's initial, then surname, then dd2's initial.

Wid · 08/08/2005 22:07

I've just been reading through this thread as my first baby starts reception in 4 weeks. I have lots of questions, but the two that are pressing are:

Do iron-on name tapes actually stay on wash after wash and;
How am I going to cope taking him to school for the first time - I already get very tearful about it?

Any answers please? xx

fqueenzebra · 09/08/2005 11:56

Wid, you wont' be the only teary parent there. But try not to be in front of your child (unless you have an eldest like mine who won't be affected!).

Don't know about iron-on labels, never saw the point. Just write initial & surname with a Biro on the washing instrux label & check once in a while in case it's faded.

Gobbledigook: PE time at this age takes ages, the teachers expect it. I heard a teacher complaining that even in Year 4 they still need 25 min to change into/out of kit.

mumbee · 09/08/2005 14:02

Do not worry about the tears just try and have something planned for the day to celebrate this new adventure for your son. Secondly try to make the coming home time special to tell him that you have missed him but your tears where soon gone as you have thought about him during the day having lots of fun.

If you have someone to be their as well it will help on the first day.

For me it will be a two or three days later when I am doing the school run on my own that i will be in tears

poppyknot · 09/08/2005 14:04

DD starts P1 next week!

Can't find a suitable bag for her.

The proper school bag is fine but it is SOOOOOOOOOO large and as she is only 4 1/2 and quite wee anyway it will drown her. I don't think they will be ferrying much to and fro at the beginning anyway.

Any more Scottish first time P1 mums/dads out there?

I am getting quite nervous abuot the whole thing even though I know tht DD will be fine (been to school nuresery etc).

Kaz33 · 09/08/2005 20:07

Another reception starter here - DS1 though just turned 4 is pretty good at most of the things referred to but putting his polo shirt on will be a nightmare - inspired by this thread I am going to start practising. Just done my school uniform shopping off the web as well...

nooka · 09/08/2005 21:30

We just leave the buttons undone that need to be undone to get over ds's head, so he never has to touch them. Seems to have worked OK. He does put on his trousers back to front regularly - and he is just about to go into yr2! dd is starting school this year and has insisted on pinafore dresses, which she will probably need help with. We get tops from school, and everything else from M&S (have also used Woollies, but the M&S stuff is a bit nicer and not much more). I have bought 3 skirts and 2 dresses for dd, and 3 trousers for ds. The polo shirts fit both of them, and have lasted for 2 years just fine, so we just bought another 3 (total of 7 now I think). The sweatshirts seem to get more wear, and he has grown out of at least 3 sizes in the two years. I'd go for at least 2, maybe three. We've gone for carditops for dd, which will probably not get so dirty (less food down the front). Trousers he goes through at the knee within days, and we have now stopped buying more or mending them! The Teflon type seem to stay as small holes for months.

Gobbledigook · 09/08/2005 21:32

Btw all, I've posted a pic on member profiles of ds1 in his uniform - I think we should all post one!

motherinferior · 09/08/2005 21:32

I've ahem just written a piece on this although have not taken all my own advice...

Gobbledigook · 09/08/2005 21:33

Where MI?! Tell!

motherinferior · 09/08/2005 21:41

Don't know if it's out yet - mag called Your Family, which is an NSPCC-backed freebie in Woolies.

DD1 doesn't have a uniform!

Aimsmum · 09/08/2005 21:44

Message withdrawn

PeachyClair · 09/08/2005 23:01

DS2 starts reception in two weeks, DS1 goes into Year 1 but he hasn't been at the schgool more than half a term, so he is still somewhat new to it himself.

DS2 not at all ready- won't dress himself (I'm going to buy polo shirts at first, though the shirts are smarter IMO), and he won't eat with a knife and fork, but I am reassured by mumsnetters telling me his overactivity / lack of intrest in writing is normal! Socially though he'll cut it, he's great with people, they are his 'thing'

Can't beleive he's starting school though- I still have one at home, but where has the time gone? DS1 was over ready, and wanted to go, DS2 doesn't want to at all. I shall miss him.

Ladymuck · 09/08/2005 23:04

For those of us who don't have time to get to Woolies would you care to summarise your words of wisdom (and let us know which you are ignoring).

foxinsocks · 10/08/2005 12:45

for whoever was asking, yes the iron on labels stay on (but follow the instructions and make sure there are no peeling corners)

we started with iron on labels but migrated to a fabric pen (you can get them in Woolies) and just wrote their names in (but I am the laziest person alive and never get the iron out!)

foxinsocks · 10/08/2005 12:46

(and the fabric pen has not come off in the wash at all)

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