Is it the norm for school nurseries to have uniforms?

[dogindisguise]

DS, 3, will be going to the nursery at our local state primary school in January (afternoons for the rest of the school year followed by morning sessions at the school nursery proper in September).

He has to have a proper school uniform - school sweatshirt, clip-on tie, grey trousers, white top and black shoes - although they did say they don't enforce the sock colour as they would in the rest of the school! And the change of clothes in case they wee themselves doesn't have to be uniform.

All the schools where I live seem to have uniforms at nursery, but I wondered if this is now the case everywhere? Personally I would rather uniform wasn't compulsory before Reception, as it might not be the most comfortable thing to wear when doing lots of outside play and messy play etc, plus there's the expense, the faff of having to get changed before nursery, and the fact I may actually have to iron it. Children already start school so young and it seems even younger when you see children with a nappy under their uniform.

On the plus side I have seen children at afternoon toddler group who like the uniform so much they don't want to change out of it and I suppose his own clothes won't get ruined.

[itsahen]

all the school nurseries near me have same uniform as main school - polo shirts and sweat shirts

[lilyaldrin]

State nursery schools/nursery classes round here seem to have optional uniforms. DS went to one Children's Centre nursery that just had logoed sweatshirts, and I'd say 20% of children wore them. Now he goes to a nursery school where I'd say 80% of the children at least wear the sweatshirt, most wear full school uniform.

DS has grey trousers (pull on combat types rather than "school" trousers though), white polo shirts and the logoed sweatshirt. I find it easier than having to think of what clothes to put him in in the morning.

[dogindisguise]

Littlefish that's interesting to know! The uniform and shoes (and three passport photos) have set me back over £50 so far and while we're by no means struggling financially other parents might be. They are also massive! DS is not small for his age but will be swamped and I've got the smallest sizes available. I have plenty of other old clothes that could get trashed. I did think about not sending him in uniform but am a bit scared to be the odd parent out and am worried that they'd say that if I object to the uniform so much there are other settings I could use.

[trinity0097]

Ours has a uniform, nursery attached to a Prep school. It's the school tracksuit and aertex polo shirt. So easy to change into, easy to wash, but uniform. Also means it's easy to dish out lending if necessary if they get muddy/wet! It's what the pre-prep children wear for sport.

[NaturalBaby]

Yup, uniform for all my dc's at nursery including the expensive black school shoes plus a set of pumps/plimsols for p.e.
They have hardly any clothes because they went to nursery in uniform every morning, and all they're uniform is cheaper and easier to wear than the rest of their wardrobe - sweatshirt, polo shirt, navy joggers.

[MPB]

It's quite normal in a school nursery in my area.
Uniform is not compulsory, even higher up the school, nothing happens to a child not in uniform.
It consists of dark trousers/ skirt a polo shirt and a red sweater. I buy mine from Asda, but school sell sweaters with logos.

Can't say it would have any impact in a nappy wearer.

[PaschasDanglyReindeerBaubles]

DS1's preschool is red or blue logo'd sweatshirt and polo shirt (mix and match whatever way you like) and any bottoms. Suits me, its easy and I don't have to think about it.

[TeacupDrama]

my DD at part private part state nursery uniform is navy logo sweatshirt, with either grey/navy leggings/joggers/skirt/pinafore only definite requirement is black plimsolls for when use the gym at associated school ( you can buy polo shirts etc at the school if you want or at asda etc
the school coat is excellent value at £18 for fully waterproof fleece lined regatta style waterproof

[ChestnutsroastingintheFireligh]

Also iny area school
Nurseries insist on (after approx a 6 week Settling in period) on full attendance Mon-Fri 9-3

[ChestnutsroastingintheFireligh]

In my area most nurseries are polo shirt & jumper/cardigan type uniform.

Oddly it's the catholic school nurseries that insist on shirt & ties.

My school went to a private school nursery & wore polo shirt & sweatshirt (later changed to jumper cause the polo shirts kept fading. )

[Littlefish]

Settings which take the NEF 15 hours funding are not allowed to insist on a uniform as a condition of attendance. The 15 hours must be entirely free, without registration fee, top ups, etc. except lunch, if provided.

[BertieBowtiesAreCool]

It is usually just a polo shirt though.

At DS' nursery they could wear school uniform if they wanted to - it was a pre-school attached to the school. However the school uniform wasn't compulsory anyway so everyone from nursery to year 6 was in a mixture - probably about 50/50 uniform vs home clothes, more home clothes in nursery.

I quite miss his school now for some reason

[ilovepowerhoop]

ours had a polo shirt and sweatshirt but they were optional. They were not in the school colours either - probably because the nursery was attached to a combined campus school who both have completely different uniforms

[honeybunny14]

Sweater i mean

[honeybunny14]

My ds nursery its just the seater and polo shirt can put on jeans or joggers with it

[Pooka]

I didn't think schools (including preschools) are allowed to exclude children on the basis of still being in nappies.

Ds1 would have been excluded if that were the case - had medical issues that resulted in late potty training.

Ds2 as well.

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

Yes minus the ties. But should the uniforms remain the same then ds wil not require a tie until he hits 6th form here!

[BertieBowtiesAreCool]

In my area it's not usual but also not so unusual that it would be commented on - probably about 10-20% of them have uniforms.

[Rosencrantz]

Mine all went to nursery in school uniform from aged 3. It was the uniform of the primary school that the nursery was attached to.

[Sirzy]

DS goes to pre-school and wears uniform - sweater, polo shirt and school pants. Simply means rather than buying clothes I don't mind getting ruined at nursery I got him school uniform.

All bar the sweatshirt will be suitable to use when he starts at the School in September assuming they are still in good condition.

[CrohnicallySick]

Howbadcanthisget- it is illegal for a state nursery in England to discriminate against a child who is not toilet trained.

[EdithWeston]

THe nearest I've seen to a uniform is a sort of smock thing, that goes over ordinary clothes (and keeps the worst of the muck of a school day off them).

[Pooka]

Though our preschool does have uniform that you can buy. I don't think I've ever seen anyone wearing it. Totally optional.

[HowBadCanThisGet]

Fairly common round here too, but sweatshirts and trousers/skirts.

Wouldn't be accepted if they weren't toilet trained though. I actually find school uniform (from the Supermarkets)cheaper than the clothes I would be putting them in, so I don't find it an issue at all.

[Pooka]

Not normal at all round here (London suburb).

Only private schools have uniforms in Pre-k or preschool.