To uniform or not to uniform

[lalaloopylou]

My ds(3) starts pre-school in September, the school doesn't enforce uniform at pre-school age but at the induction meeting I noticed a lot of other parents purchasing the school jumpers
I'm now uhmming and aahing over whether to buy him a uniform too,
Firstly because it's expensive the school jumpers are £12 each and for school shoes he is in a half size which would mean Clarks shoes at £25+
Secondly he will be at a private nursery for half of the day meaning he will have to get changed into uniform at the nursery
But On the other hand I'm worried he will be the only child not in uniform and feel a bit left out
So I ask you wwyd?

Wait to see what everyone else does and buy one if your child feels left out. My Mum ran a pre-school years ago and they had a sweatshirt which was totally voluntary to wear. There were usually about 1/2 of the kids wearing them at any one session so nobody was meant to feel left out.

I'm not sure if this will help, but thought I'd reply anyway! My DS is starting pre-school in September, and whilst uniform is not compulsory, I got a definite sense from the school that they preferred all to be in uniform! My DS will be at home in the morning, but will be wearing his uniform all day (as I dont want the extra washing of having two outfits worn each day). Could your DS wear his uniform to nursery? The pre-school shouldn't mind if he comes into school a bit messy from having got his lunch on his sweatshirt etc.

I did this for my DD when she went to pre-school, and found that she needed fewer 'normal' clothes as she wore uniform all day during the week. We just made do with fewer 'normal' outfits during holidays. This saved having to 'double up' on clothes, as I was worried about the cost of having uniform and lots of everyday clothes. I also think it helps get children a little bit more ready for starting school, if they are already used to wearing uniform and looking the same as everyone else. Plus it helped us with the arguments of what clothes to wear that day - with uniform there is no choice!!

ours could if they wanted however very few did made going up to reception a little bit more special plus they have years of uniform wearing ahead of them

Ours isnt compulsory but everyone wore uniform. DS2 starts soon and he'll be in uniform.

I'm also a bit on the fence with this one. Both the pre-school and DH are quite keen that DS does wear it, but I am resisting a bit. Mostly because I think he has got years to wear uniform yet! DS is 2, will be 3 in December, so we have compromised by saying that he will go into uniform after Christmas which coincides with him going for 15 hours. The one thing that makes me think it is a good idea is that at least that is just one set of clothes to get mucky, rather than his own clothes...

I kept off it until they had to have it. Reception is early enough IMO.

I will be getting 2 year old DS nursery uniform for September - it's just a logo'd t-shirt and jumper but will mean no problem about what to wear in the morning and only his nursery clothes will get stained/soaked etc.