Starting school tips

[BeeMakesTea]

My oldest starts primary school in September and I’m feeling a bit clueless! Two things I’m wondering about at the moment:

How many shirts/ ties/ trousers/ jumpers do we need to buy?

Any recommendations for name labels? Sticky, iron on etc? Or just write name on the clothes label?

Any other practical tips will also be gratefully received!

Thank you.

One set of uniform for everyday they wear it does make life easier. However, lots of schools don’t have the little ones change for sports as it’s easier to have them come in PE kit so I’d check that first and buy accordingly. We have a personalised stamp for labelling.

Depends how often you want to be doing laundry really!

My kids chucked food or paint on themselves every day for the first few years of school so we bought an outfit for every day as I only wanted to be washing once a week. (Not the jumper we had 2/3 of those I think). If you’re doing washing more often you can get away with less but it adds stress, is it dry yet etc.

Stikins are great IME, very easy and stick well. Put them on the washing instructions label as they stick best there, and teach your kid to look there.

Do they really have ties for 4/5 yr olds, wow.

Oh and focus on making sure they can use the loo independently (wiping properly washing hands), change their clothes and use cutlery…. Also sharing, listening and sitting still … these are the main reception “skills”!

We have a chalkboard in the kitchen listing things that are needed that day. My friend has all pick up/drop off arrangements on hers.

Sign permission slips the day you get them! And pay for stuff if you are able.

My DS is in reception, best advice / I found:

• if you can afford it, one set of uniform per day as saves washing
• keep one jumper spare so when you have photo day it's a nice fresh one!
• invest in stain remover 🤣 they use whiteboard pens as my sons school for writing practise and he comes back covered in it 🤦🏼‍♀️
• make sure they can independently dress, put shoes on, go toilet and eat
• a lot of schools now have children staying in PE kit all day which saves changing but check what your school do
• decent leak proof and hardy water bottle which they can open themselves
• label everything! And not just on labels where can be cut out.... I bought material pens and used those

If you do an 'advanced search' of the primary education board using some relevant keywords/phrases you will find lots of threads where uniform, labels, tips for new starters etc have been discussed in recent years.

Add inset days, holidays, dress up days, parents evenings, bring your pet turtle to school day, wear purple pants day etc to the calander immediately, either digital or paper!

If they cannot tie laces, velcro shoes and trainers.

Label everything, the stick on ones are surprisingly durable.
At least 3 x bottoms and jumpers and 7 x shirts.
Schools often have second hand shops if cost is an issue.
At least 2 x lunchboxes and bottles that child can open.
Be prepared for most things to get lost!
Check the allergy restrictions and allowed foods well in advance (ie, no nuts, crisps chocolate etc etc)

Have a tin of cash for the 'pound for non uniform', 'pound for the puppies' requests.

No matter how much childcare he has already been in, prepare yourself that he will be exhausted.

Try to never compare yourself to other parents and your child to other children. There will always be the uber mum who arrives looking pristine as do her children.. similarly there will be a child who is on a higher reading level than yours.

Oh and get a process for the school admin: pe day, non uniforms etx. Some days we get 3/4 emails from school with dates to remember
If I don't action them immeadiately they are GONE!

To add - check whether your school want waterproofs & wellies to either be kept at school or brought in for each session (welly walks, Forest school, water play) - our school keeps it all on site till the end of term.
Your child won't need pens, pencils etc. But they will need a named water bottle.
If they're having school dinners, still have a lunchbox available for any days they don't like the options or for school trips.
Join the PTA if you're willing & able - you'll meet lots of other parents, get the heads up on events coming up & can help make your child's life at school even better.

Oh & get one of those roll-on suncreams (named) to take in during the summer so they can top up without help.
They'll need a decent waterproof winter coat & possibly a thin waterproof Mac for summer.
Sun hat for summer; hats, gloves & scarf for winter.
Due to schools needing to keep windows & doors open, have layers - vests, long sleeved tops/polo shorts, jumpers, thermals too if it gets really cold. Odd to think about now in summer but you're more likely to get these items early rather than waiting to the max end of summer rush.

If they wear a polo t shirt, just leave the buttons undone on P.E days. It helps speed up the changing time.

Get loads of birthday cards, generic wrapping and choose one type of birthday gift for the year eg board game or lego so you don’t have to think.

Ahlbergs’ starting school book is good and ceebies always have starting school things on from mid August.

I prefer stamptastic stamp.

Be prepared for the school uniform to be outgrown within a year.

I do 5x shirts, 2x trousers, 4x jumpers each. Though I do find myself having to wash the jumpers on the 4th day - insane how mucky a 4 year old can get. 😂 We use a laundry pen from amazon, tried the stickers but wasn't a fan.

If your child isn't a fussy eater, take advantage of the free school meals! I hate making packed lunches, I find they can really add up too.

Make a separate folder on your emails for ones from the school.

Also don't expect them to be able to tell you about their day. Maybe it's just mine, but even now in Year 1 I still get a blank stare and 'um.. I forgot' from my eldest, haha.

Use hair straighteners to attach iron on labels more easily.

School shoes! There is always a mad rush in the shoe shops right at the end of August especially at weekends, and shoe shops can sell out, so try to go earlier in August or on a weekday. Check the requirements carefully. The shoes with big rubber toes last best.