Feeling clueless about many aspects of preschool...help!

[Jdf86]

DC starts at a school nursery in September. They've never been to a nursery before and are going full time. Aside from how to handle the emotional turmoil (mainly me 😂) I have a few practical questions:

• Bag size to take
• Should spare clothes be in a separate bag?
• Thoughts on school dinner vs packed lunch
• Best clothes to wear? Dark and cheap I'd assume!
• Any other great advice?!

Sorry if these are silly questions, I'm an overthinker!

Child size rucksack should be ok. Clothes might be better in a plastic bag inside the rucksack - just in case of toilet accidents. We did school dinners to get them used to it but that's individual choice really. Don't they have a uniform? If not joggers, a polo shirt, sweatshirt and trainers (for boys and girls) are practical nursery clothing. Don't forget waterproof coat, and ask if they require wellies. Oh and a water bottle too. Everything needs to have name labels, including shoes, rucksack and water bottle.

DS just finished the nursery year and is going up to reception in September. At ours the spare cloths stayed on their peg at nursery. A toddler sized backpack is about the right size, but we got an email about 2 months in asking everyone to change from 'nice' backpacks to plain bags or carriers because so many kids were reluctant to leave their bags behind.

DS wore the same uniform as the school age kids, but if yours doesn't have a uniform I'd go with joggers, t-shirt & jumper. Maybe pick a week or two worth of nursary outfits, and rotate. At outs they also needed to bring in a water bottle, which was taken home to clean and refill, and a book bag (they obvious aren't reading, but you get a book to read to them each week).

You don't really get told much at drop off/ pick up, but ours used an app called seesaw, we're they posted pictures if what the kids were upto, and also any messages or things to bring in. Also try to build up a stash of £1 coins and dress up stuff, as they seem to have themed day's (red nose day, book day etc) every few weeks.

Child size rucksack is fine with spare clothes inside with names on the clothes (there’s great name stickers you can get online). Ours don’t have a uniform and I just make sure that any clothes she goes in I’m ok about them potentially getting stained. They will go out in all weathers so wellies and waterproof on rainy days.
If they’re going all day (as in until 6) then school dinner is easier but I also like school dinners for DD as or broadened what she would eat and I heavily dislike making a packed lunch each day and having to plan what to put in it, what’s ok in hot weather, keeping to the guidelines of what they’re allowed etc

Thanks for the replies, some useful stuff. I was more inclined to go with packed lunches so DC has some familiarity at first - they're also quite a fussy eater so wouldn't want them to go hungry. From experience, do most kids have school dinners? My other fear is that they'll be the only one, sat alone with a packed lunch! I definitely worry too much!

Whatever bag is the right size to fit everything you're asked to bring. For us, this is child sized rucksack in summer and reusable shopping bag size in winter. I include a wet bag so all wet clothes can go in there. Otherwise, everything shoved in the one bag.

Definitely school dinner. It's a pain to make a lunch every day and I'd never opt for a packed lunch if I had other options. Also, it's nice for them to eat a communal meal and try new things.

I just send them in normal clothes. We don't have special nursery clothes, but I maybe wouldn't send them in anything really special or brand new. Save those for home until they get a bit worn.