Starting School in September Club 2007

[Bouquetsofdynomite]

Can't seem to find a thread so thought I'd start one. Some things I am nosy about, thought others probably would be too :
*Do you feel your child is ready or not?
*How long is their 'settling in' / faffing about period before fulltime school?
*Got/seen any uniform bargains?
*Are they having school dinners or packed lunches?
*If you work, how does your childcare work?
*How are you feeling about it?

*Do you feel your child is ready or not? - Oh so very ready and eager!
*How long is their 'settling in' / faffing about period before fulltime school? She had 3 x 1-hour visits this term, practising at school (lining up, register, etc). She'll do mornings only for the first term, then go fulltime in Jan.
*Got/seen any uniform bargains? - M&S have 3 for 2 right now. Also summer dresses, which they may need in Sept but prob won't be in the shops then.
*Are they having school dinners or packed lunches? School dinners, and I don't give them a choice.
*If you work, how does your childcare work? n/a
*How are you feeling about it? Excited for her, and also looking forward to some time with the baby, and (in Jan) being less tied down by only having 2 school runs a day instead of 4.

Ooooh, a thread I can join in on about ds! He will be 5 in Ocrober, and is starting in the reception class in September - he has been in the nursery unit of the same school for 5 terms - but as far as he is concerned, he has already started school, as the reception classroom is right next door, and he wears the same uniform as everybody else.

*Do you feel your child is ready or not?
Absolutely - he's started getting a bit 'cocky' about nursery recently, and can write his name, knows most of the other letters etc., and loves doing number work.

*How long is their 'settling in' / faffing about period before fulltime school?
All of the children will be in full-time by the end of the first week - we have the induction meeting tomorrow to find out when they start - but I've been reliably informed that ds will be starting on the first day as he is the oldest in the class.

*Got/seen any uniform bargains?
Have been buying uniform for past 5 terms, and have learned the hard way that the really cheapy polo shirts shrink really quickly - I like the Next polo shirts as they keep their shape and colour.
School sweatshirt is not cheap, but ds has managed on being bought 2 each year.

*Are they having school dinners or packed lunches?
packed lunch - it's the only way I can guarantee the he eats his lunch! Also, his best friend is going to be having packed lunches too ...

*If you work, how does your childcare work?
DS has been with the same childminder for the past 2 years - she is also the mother of his best friend in his class. DS gets dropped off with CM at 7.45am by dh, and picked up at 4.30pm by me.
I'll actually be on maternity leave next year, but, to make sure that we don't lose our place with the wonderful CM, he will still be going to her ...

*How are you feeling about it?
I can't believe how quickly the time has gone!

my little boy (age4- yesterday!) Starts full time in sept.

Do you feel your child is ready or not?
I HONESTLY DONT FEEL THAT HE IS- IM WORRIED AS HE APPEARS TO HAVE NO INTEREST IN WRITING AND READING. HE SEEMS TOO YOUNG.
*How long is their 'settling in' / faffing about period before fulltime school?
HE GOES FIRST WEEK FROM 1000 TO 1400 - THEN FULLTIME AFTER
*Got/seen any uniform bargains?
SCHOOL SELL THEIR OWN UNIFORM AT INDUCTION DAY (THIS WEDS)
*Are they having school dinners or packed lunches?
HE WILL BE HAVING SCHOOL DINNERS- FAB KITCHN AND COOK THERE
*If you work, how does your childcare work?
HE WILL GO TO BEFORE/AFTERSCHOOL CLUB WHEN NECESSARY
*How are you feeling about it?

SAD! HE IS MY BABY- NOW HE IS OFF TO SCHOOL, I WILL BE IN TEARS ON THE FIRST DAY- I JUST KNOW IT

Can I join too?
*Do you feel your child is ready or not? I think he's getting a little board at Nursery now, been in the same class for 18mths but emotionally I'm not so sure, he seems so shy.

*How long is their 'settling in' / faffing about period before full time school? He starts on Monday the 17th ( I think this is late) he does Mon, Tues 9am til 12:45pm then Full time on the Wednesday.

*Got/seen any uniform bargains? Got his school uniform from the local specialist school shop today. Just need to pop to M&S for trousers, coat and pumps.

Are they having school dinners or packed lunches? Haven't decided yet depends what the menu's look like when we go again tomorrow.

*If you work, how does your childcare work? SAHM

*How are you feeling about it? A bit nervous, I want him to make friends and enjoy it. He is a quiet boy and hasn't mixed that well in his nursery. Maybe a new school where everyone is starting together (no nursery attached) will be better for him.

1. yes, certainly ready and very keen to start (he's no 3)
2. same as nutty
3. M&S 3 for 2 and nice fairtrade cotton polos. M&S wears well I find. DS1's hand ons mostly too big as yet...
4. School dinners (no way am I making 3x packups in the am)
5. box and cox pick-ups around part-time work already
6. I am excited for him but really sad too in a silly way as he's my baby. But he's a star, he's just gonna fly. DH says next year all the FS2 boys at school will be wearing shorts because DS2 does and they will all want to be like him (through silly tears at thought)

been for dd's practice school lunch today and the range is bloody fantastic with a huge area of cold foods and bigger area for warm home cooked meals, dd loved it and i think shes gunna try the dinners for firsdt term at least!

dd im told today is going into the 'older recpetion' class, with who is normally yr1 teacher?, so will have to ask what this means for her?, more advanced or needs more help?, she is one of the younger ones but there seems no logic age wise to the ones thyve chose?
was looking at adams for school wear or we have a shop called Ross's who do the school emblem stuff but eveyone seems to mention m&s?

*Do you feel your child is ready or not?
My ds currently does two days at the nursery and would love to be full time. so yes, he's ready!

*How long is their 'settling in' / faffing about period before fulltime school?
He'll be 9 to 12, Monday to Friday until January, A bit of a bummer but i know he'll be knackered ar first.

*Got/seen any uniform bargains?
Bargains?? Are you joking?? He has to have the poncey school logo on everything!

*Are they having school dinners or packed lunches?
School dinners for definite..he'll eat anything!

*If you work, how does your childcare work?
I'm a SAHM and am looking forward to spending time with my dd of 17 months.

*How are you feeling about it?
I know that my ds will benefit hugely as he has a Speech and Language delay, so more interaction will do him a power of good. I'm not worrying about it... i just can't believe he's old enough to be wearing a school uniform!

well the local specialist shop has just told me the jumpers and polo shirts with school emblem on are £7.95 and £5.95 each??didnt think this was too bad??is it?

My dd is starting secondary school in September, does that count? I still have feelings, afterall!!
*Do you feel your child is ready or not?
YES
*How long is their 'settling in' / faffing about period before fulltime school?
ABOUT A WEEK
*Got/seen any uniform bargains?
GOT IT ALL! BEST BARGIN, BLAZER AT M&S, £9 - THEY'LL ALL BE £20 IN AUGUST1
*Are they having school dinners or packed lunches?
PACKED LUNCH FOR A WHILE, THEN USING THE SCHOOL CAFE!
*If you work, how does your childcare work?
I'M CM - SO NO PROBLEMS
*How are you feeling about it?
REALLY SAD THAT MY ONE & ONLY CHILD IS GROWING UP TOO FAST!

when you see trousers and skirts advertised as 'black' are they that kkind of marl grey/black? as i can only fin BLACK or SILVER GREY and dd's is more of a marl/dark grey???

Ohh can I join, DS starts school nursery in sept so more official than playgroup..lol

Do you feel your child is ready or not? uMore than ready, he is 4 in october and very bored of just 3 mornings at playgroup!!
*How long is their 'settling in' / faffing about period before fulltime school? He is only in mornings but doesnt start until 24th sept as they are staggering intake!!
*Got/seen any uniform bargains? No bargains cost me £38 for 2 jog bottoms,2polo shirts and 2 jumpers all with school badge on!
*Are they having school dinners or packed lunches? NA
*If you work, how does your childcare work? SAHM with the girls[dd1 hopefully starting playgroup in jan 08 for 2 mornings]
*How are you feeling about it? Am excited about it but feel a bit sad as its more official.

Can I join to please, sounds like my kind of club

*Do you feel your child is ready or not?
Think he is, mum isnt lol.

*How long is their 'settling in' / faffing about period before fulltime school?
He'll be 9 to 11.30 the first week, 9 to 12.30 inc lunch the second week and full time the week after

*Got/seen any uniform bargains?
Going to order it all online on Next when he's gone to bed tonight - still waiting for an order form for the school jumpers.

*Are they having school dinners or packed lunches?
School dinners - hoping he'll start be less fussy seeing the others eating

*If you work, how does your childcare work?
I work 3 days a week but the school has a before and after school club, one of the reasons we moved to the catchment area otherwise I would have had to give up work as no relatives close by.

*How are you feeling about it?
Worried yet happy that he will be with other children for most of the day as he is an only child - think it will help his speech too.

Maybe we can keep the club going once they have started to air any worries etc?

*Do you feel your child is ready or not?

Absolutely ready.

*How long is their 'settling in' / faffing about period before fulltime school?

Starts full time on 5th Sept.

*Got/seen any uniform bargains?

Not bothering till August.

*Are they having school dinners or packed lunches?

Packed lunches.

*If you work, how does your childcare work?

I work from home and ds1 is already at school, ds3 still at home. Ds2 starting reception doesn't really impact on my work.

*How are you feeling about it?

Fine!

1. Ready in a way but will be sooo tired. Not ready for the long days. 2)About 2 weeks. 3)Got most of it already. He's at the linked nursery. Only need the PE kit. Note to self. Buy PE kit 4)School dinners. He has a try out session of staying for dinner tommorow. We go too. Its after a meeting with the head. 5)Don't work. Well I do a bit of cm. 6)I'll miss him and I'm worried how he'll get on, but it will be nice to have whole day with dd. He has tons of friends though so should be fine.

PinkChick I think it's cause M&S have 3 for 2 att the moment.
Our school jumpers were £8.50 each and the polo shirts £7.50 each.

Have been to induction morning today ... must also buy pe kit!

oh, and a book bag!

Pink chick, I'm just going to buy the emblem'd jumper for my kids, get the rest elsewhere (unless I find a bargain in a local charity shop .)

Do I feel he's ready: No, though he might be by September. Just had a horrible induction day at school today. Probably on reflection didn't handle it well, but he started telling me he didn't want to go pretty much as soon as he got up He's just 4, little and quite shy in large groups. Me definitely not ready.

How long to settle in: Part time, till October half term and January if I want.

Uniform bargains/: Lots of hand me downs

School dinners: yes

Childcare: Don't work, though will look for work in the next year or so.

How do I feel: Broody, that will be both boys at school and i want another. Its been hard work but also six of the most rewarding years of my life

Pinkchick, the M&S traousers seem darker grey, but their grey shirts are very light -those I do have to get from John Lewis or a uniform shop.

DD1 will be 4 on 29th August & starts school the next day.

She is more than ready-she has wanted to go since she was 2.

I'm not sure what a settling in period is,but she has been for a morning & an afternoon in the past 2 weeks & did not want to come home.She will start fulltime on the 30th.

Uniform is pale blue polo shirts/checked dresses,grey pinafores ect.Have several hand me downs & will be buying a 3 pack of polos from Littlewoods at £5,instead of the official ones at £5.75 each.Also got aq pinafore for£1 at a bootfair on Sunday.

School dinners for her-they looked so nice that I'm jealous.

My mum will look after her until I finish work.

I'm looking forward to her going,I went to the same little village school & loved it.All her cousins & friends are there & she is so excited about it.The only thing that makes \me wobble is when she says that she wants to go on the school bus 'with the big girls'.Not when she is only just 4 she won't,maybe next year.

I feel a bit of a fraud joining in because my DC are only a school year apart., so i did all this last Sepetmber with DS1. DS2 starts this September, and I will be filling in DD's application form for Sept 2008 at the same time (I smell freedom on the horizon...)
*Do you feel your child is ready or not? Apparently preschool is 'boring' now, he's singing jolly phonics songs and trying on his uniform, so i guess he's ready.
*How long is their 'settling in' / faffing about period before fulltime school? Reception's first day is a couple of weeks after the start of term, full-time from then on.
*Got/seen any uniform bargains? Will be buying M&S shirts and trousers on three for two offer. It's very good quality.
*Are they having school dinners or packed lunches? Packed lunch, he has lunchbag already chosen,
*If you work, how does your childcare work? SAHM for another year.
*How are you feeling about it? A little concerned that he will be in his brother's shadow.

Dd went today for a visit and seemed quite happy, though she's a bit confused about why she's not going there tomorrow....

*She's sort of ready to learn stuff I think but a bit little to be institutionalised....
*Two mornings one week, one full day but coming home at lunch time and then full time.
*Ignoring uniform issue at present
*Having school lunches because am worried she'll only eat the ham out of her sandwiches and not bread or anything else and then be starving. Oh yes and I am not very organised.
*I am a lone parent much of the time (don't ask) and work nearly full time so childcare is a bit of a nightmare. Am paying a friend to pick up a couple of days a week, swapping childcare with another friend one day and picking up twice, one of these also picking up her friend. God knows what I'm going to do about mornings, there is a breakfast club but I'm not that keen to leave her there....
*I feel ready for her / me to move on and am quite excited in a way, but we have up until recently had one day off in the week together and I will miss that.

To those not doing uniform yet, I advise you to do it....
If you leave it till August, all the offers will be gone and you may find that eg Sainsbo's (a goodish source) have sold out of the size you want.

Pinkchick, £8 for logo jumper is fine. We pay £9-10 and more for a cardi. Polo shirts at £6 a bit steep. Trouble is with polos (I have found) is that they get very dirty and are hard ti get clean in the end - I chucked all of DS1's from reception year.

But maybe that's casue my hot bods strip off their jumpers and thus get polos messy. Still, it's why I have never botherd with logo polos. Are they compulsory? Very few wear them at our school tho most wear logo jumpers. HTH

thanks for the uniform help..i think the polo shirts have emblem on too(iirc when i helped out and saw yr 3 yesterday?), so would prob need one for each day?! and think ill try m&s while 3 for 2 is on then if the trousers skirts are dark grey