Advice on what else I need for DD to be school ready.

[Outandabout43]

DD starting reception in September. Have just finished the school shop, or so I think.

We have -
5 polo shirts
1 jumper
1 cardigan
2 pinafores
2 skirts
Tights
Socks
2 PE shorts
2 PE joggers
2 PE shorts
1 PE jumper
Plimsolls
School shoes
Bag
Bento lunch box
Drinks bottle

All items labelled.

DD has only recently turned 4 so still very young, so far she is

Toilet trained
Able to use a knife and fork
Can dress / undress herself (unable to do small buttons or laces)
Can spell, recognise and write name.

Is there anything else I need to buy, or work on woth her ready for school?

Very anxious first time parent 😬

all of this 👏🏻

especially put the phone away. I get how it’s helpful to lonely mums to socialise on it but it breaks my heart to see wee ones being ignored by parents totally obsessed with their phone. They need you more than you need the flippin phone!

and also minimise errands. Your wee one is going to be tired and possibly cranky and just needs soothing mummy time not dashing round the shops.

Hope it all goes well.
you sound very sensible & caring 👍

It sounds like you’ve got everything pretty much covered, which is fantastic! It’s totally normal to feel anxious about your little one starting school for the first time. 😊

One thing you might want to consider is packing a spare set of clothes in her school bag. Kids can be pretty messy, and it’s always good to have an extra pair of pants and a shirt just in case. 👕👖

Depending on your local weather, a waterproof coat and some wellies could be useful, especially if she’ll be playing outside a lot. 🌧️👢

I see you’ve already labeled her clothes, which is awesome. Just make sure everything she takes to school, including her PE kit and any spare clothes, is labeled too. 🏷️

It might also be helpful to practice things like opening her lunch box or managing her water bottle. These small tasks can make her feel more independent and ready. 🍱💧

If you can, try to take her to the school a few times before she starts. Familiarity can make the first day less intimidating. Many schools have events where kids can meet their teachers and see their classrooms. 🏫👩‍🏫

Encouraging her to share and take turns through playdates or group activities can be really beneficial. These skills will come in handy when she’s interacting with her new classmates. 🤝

Understanding the drop-off and pick-up routine ahead of time can help reduce any anxiety. If there are any special procedures, being familiar with them can make things smoother. 🚗👋

Lastly, keep conversations about school upbeat and exciting. Your positive attitude will help her feel more enthusiastic and less anxious about starting. 🌟

You’ve already done so much to prepare, and it’s clear you care a lot. Trust yourself and your daughter—she’s going to do great! 🌈

Go straight to hot lunches. Easier all round.

DD is a about to start primary and has;

2 x pinafores
2 x skirts (skater style)
2 x summer dress
2 x trousers
8 x polo shirts
10 x socks
5 x tights
1 x cardigan
1 x jumper
1 x water bottle
1 x book bag
1 x drawstring for spare uniform to stay at school
2 x PE shorts
1 x PE Shirt.
2 x black trainers (so a spare if her main ones get wet/muddy
1 x wellies and puddle suit

All 5-6 years.
All labelled - twice where possible

And we'll see how she goes!

My 4 year old has 5 sets of everything, our school doesn't change for PE in reception class until spring time. Labels on everything, school like to keep a spare bag on their peg with wellies a coat and 2 sets of clothes ( doesn't need to be uniform) help available for the toilet and regular prompts to remind them to go. No book bag needed until October and the option to do part time until the term he turns 5. The reception children don't stay for lunch until week 2 and go home after lunch until week 3. Week one is either 9am to 11am or 1pm to 3pm depending on what group your child is.

A lot has been covered.

Will she eat a whole piece of fruit with the skin on? (A lot of children are used to it being peeled and cut up)

Label everything. Put a secret label inside a sleeve in case someone cuts your label out.

Practise putting on a long sleeved apron independently. The material they’re made from makes them quite stiff and some children struggle with the concept that they go the opposite way to a cardigan/coat.

You need more cardigans/jumpers. They lose them practically everyday and goodness knows when you'll ever seen them again! Or is that just my kids? 🤔

Also... maybe just my DD but tights are a bloody nightmare, the crotch always ends up hanging down by her knees & getting on her nerves so sometimes easier to put leggings under pinafore (especially in winter it is warmer)

I spent the weekend with the sewing machine out sewing them on 🤣.

The most advice I have received is to label everything, then label it again.

Can she open a carton without spilling it everywhere? School milk usually comes in a small carton and straw, can she peel a small citrus fruit for snack time?

pers I’d be getting either 1 more jumper or cardigan as they do get in a state! One wear, one wash and one spare!

You sound like you’re doing a great job!

My advice it to reinforce the tip about practicing with clothes that are inside out. Even if they wear PE kit all day it will be helpful if they know how to turn their jumper the right way round after they’ve taken it off, and know where to check for their name. Then when they start wearing winter coats and taking them off, it’s great when they know how to pull the sleeves back the right way by themselves.

If any part of the uniform involves white shirts, a stain remover like this really helps to make clothes last longer.

www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/sainsburys-stain-remover-powder-for-whites-1kg

Can she sit still and pay attention for at least a short amount of time?
How far can she count?
Does she know her colours?
Does she know the sound of different letters?
Use leave in conditioner on her hair - nits can’t hang on.

PE trainers

More cardigans! DD soon thought the jumper was for boys only and tbf all girls did opt for the cardigan - but they leave them at school get paint on them etc . You need at least 3

She doesn't need to know her letter sounds at all. Or her numbers or anything "academic" - except perhaps being able to recognise her name when it's written (not read, but recognise)

Practical skills is all she "needs". As PP have mentioned. Dressing self, putting on shoes, toilet trained, washing hands, using cutlery, carrying trays etc.