Starter package for reception class

[Schnullerbacke]

Ok, so where we are, we have a tradition of giving children who start school a big cone-type school bag that has all sort of goodies in it. Sweets, toys, pencils, pens, pen cases - you get me. I heard that in the UK kids tend to learn writing with just a pencil rather than ink-filled pens.

So, is this true and what else will they need to take to school in terms of writing materials and accessories?

They don't even take a pencil to school in the UK! School provide it :)

All they need is a book bag, which you normally buy from school for about £2. And a PE kit, sometimes has to be bought from school, and a PE bag........

And of course their uniform.

Oh no, don't say that. I love all things stationery and have been looking forward to getting a few things. I know we can always get stuff to use at home but its not the same. Hmm, more toys it is then:)

no, haven't seen a "Schultüte" here yet. but ds will have one, curtesey of the german granny when he starts reception.

and a lunch box if having packed lunches...

Although kids normally just do mornings for a week or so before staying for lunch

@ Mousy - yep, I'll be definately bringing one over. I think its such a lovely thing to do.

Lunch box - so uninspiring :)

Some people over here do (seethis thread) but not many. It's lovely though - I did it for DS1 last year and gave him lots of stationery and some sweets. He didn't need any of the stuff for school, but it was nice for him to have new crayons and notebooks for home.

DS in reception needs to take each day.

Book bag
lunch box
water bottle
snack box

We gave him a pencil tin when he started but it stays at home.
DSs lunch box is fab, its a Japanese bento (box), took me ages to find a drinks bottle that would fit inside it.

A lot of primary schools don;t allow children to take their own stationery in as it casues problems if stuff gets lost or the school use a certain type. Often when they get a bit older when my dd was in Year 4 for example they get given a list dd's was a berol handwriting pen a ruler a pencil, a sharpener and coloured crayons.

My children took/take in:

book bag (provided by school, paid for by PTA)
PE kit on first day of term
Sports capped water bottle for the day

They have school lunches so no packed lunch.

School provides ALL stationary, including pencils up until KS2 (so year 3), when they are advised to bring in their own pritt stick and a pencil sharpener to make working in class faster - otherwise they share single pritt stick and sharpener per table.

Our KS2 kids all learn German and they make Schultütes every september and the teachers fill them with sweets to bring home, I think they are lovely!

Didn't bother with anything for starting school though apart from the bag / lunchbag / beaker of their choice as school insists they use theirs so there aren't any arguments about who owns what.