Uniform

[RoastedTurnip]

DD is 2.5 and has been at the same nursery since age 1. Older DD attended the same nursery. (Big national chain)
She's full time and will be for the foreseeable as we can't afford for me to work part time.

Have found out via a display in the foyer that from January over 3s need to wear a uniform and it has to be their branded stuff. No consultation as far as I can see.

I don't have time to wash and iron during the week, so if it is compulsory I'm going to have to shell out for a load of uniform I don't want her wearing. There isn't really an alternative nursery n nearby with space and she's happy there.

Is there any guidance about private nurseries and compulsory uniforms? The idea that she'll be wearing uniform from age 3 is ridiculous to me. I'll speak to the manager next week but just wondered if there was any guidance/ research on it?

Agreed, no need to iron, but
Introducing branded (not Sainsbury's etc) polos compulsorily with no parent consultation is a bit off no?

3 year olds in uniform is still a bit much in my opinion, wherever we but it from

Personally, my anger would be totally directed at the branded clothing 😒 very cheeky of them!!! Especially since nursery kids dirty their clothes so much you'll need at least 3 sets

DD2 had a uniform for nursery but it was a white top and grey/navy/black jogging bottoms/top. Available at any supermarket for cheap.

Because its a polo shirt and a sweater... not a tuxedo. My one would wear something similar in our spare time anyway. And she loves that they all wear the same thing as she fits in more. Something that doesn't always come easily when complex needs are involved. They're 3 ffs. Not 3 months. Nothing wrong with wearing joggers and a sweater.

FFS 🤣

I understand that your child has complex needs and the uniform helps with that. I'm really pleased that works for your family. I assume you chose where she was going to go based upon how the setting would work for her and perhaps knowing that uniform would be a positive for your child and your family.

My personal feeling (as a secondary school teacher who hates constantly having to deal with uniform issues) is that at 3 years old, there is no need to get students to wear the same thing. The usual reasons we give students for wearing a uniform (sense of belonging, stops bullying, stops inappropriate dress) just don't seem to wash with me. You and I clearly see this very differently.

As I said up thread, I chose the nursery, partly because it doesn't have a uniform. Part of the reason I'm not moving her to the pre school attached to my older Dd'S school is because it has a uniform. I just think it's unnecessary at that age.

And on top of that, for it to be compulsorily branded, with no consultation, during a cost of living crisis just seems bonkers!

I'm with you OP. My kids have never had to wear uniform at nursery and I actually even find it bonkers that my five year old has to wear a tie to school, a bloody tie? He's five not an intern at Barclays Bank. My DH doesn't even wear a tie to his (office) job.

Uniform can be good for some families, as mentioned above, but usually it's just more stuff to buy and wash etc. I don't see the need for it at age three.

I mean if you feel so strongly about this as an ideological issue then move her to a preschool or nursery that doesn’t have a uniform and make it clear that’s why you are doing it.

I wish I could, but as I mentioned in my OP she's happy there and there aren't spaces in any other local nurseries.

I won't lose sleep over it, just not happy about it 🤷‍♀️

What are they going to do if you don't buy their branded uniform?

Personally It looks like a money grab from the nursery

My DS goes to the school nursery (he's 3). They request that the children wear a royal blue jumper/cardigan to fit in with the rest of the school. Initially I was just goingbto do that but when we had the meet and greet afternoon all the other children were in full uniform. There's no pressure fir the uniform but now I've got it (t-shirt from aldi and a bundle of jumpers and trousers from vinted) it makes the mornings so simple. I don't iron anything.
DD goes to the same school and they are fine with uniform, as long as its within the colour scheme they are fine. There is an option for branded jumpers, cardigans, fleeces and book bags but nothing is compulsory.

In answer to you AIBU, YANBU regarding expensive branded and compulsary items but, I feel, YABU around uniform in general.

It's a very British thing uniform isn't it? It's interesting to me as someone who has lived and taught in Europe, that uniform is so widely accepted with very young children here.

As I've said, I'd be a lot more willing to swallow my ideological objection to it if I didn't have to buy branded.

Anyway thanks for the different points of view. I'll be interested to see what the manager says tomorrow!

All the preschools and nurseries around my way seem to have uniform around here.

My DC nursery gave us 2 sets of the branded uniform as part of registration, then we had the choice of doing lots of washing during the week, or buying optional extra ones from them.

We have a non compulsory polo top and sweatshirt where I work. Some parents prefer it as it means they don't have to battle their children over what to wear for nursery and.it doesn't matter if it gets paint stains. Not everyone has lots of clothing they can afford to get stained. Some children feel grown up with a uniform if they have siblings at school. We find that more children wear it as the year progresses.

I agree that it shouldn't be compulsory unless you are being given the initial couple of tops free. Not all families can cover the initial expense and a lot of children of that age can be sensory over their clothes.

I am with you OP, my children attend primary and secondary schools with no uniforms. In my opinion, children learn when they are comfortable, there is a sensible dress code - and makes school a hell of a lot more comfortable for children/teens with sensory issues.

I have yet to experience the nonsense I hear other parents talking about battles what to wear/label snobbery etc. If they end up working in a corporate environment, I imagine they will have the capacity to dress appropriately as a fully functional adult.

I am sad to hear of uniforms for children so small.