Tips for parents of this years reception kids

[roseyposeysmum]

Just that really - it is a bit of a minefield.

How many items of uniform, packed lunch or school dinners ? Any tips to make it all easier ?

mama I thought this.
If i had to do a rucksack then I would be taking upto 4 bags on somedays .

I have since found out that most people just use the bookbag and lunch bag (if they have packed lunch) .

If they are prone to accidents the some people take a spare set of clothes in a bag and leave it there on their peg .

All their work and letters will come home in the bookbag, whereas at nursery its all in the rucksack!

Get yourself organsied: get a diary and write important dates / things to remember in it, as you are told of them. That way you will never double-book yourself on the day of the school concert, send them in their uniform on wear-what-you-like day or forget the cereal box that's needed for art on Thursday week. It's a horrible feeling when you let your child down in some way, and at only four or five, they can't be expected to remember for you. A checklist on the front door might make sure you remember everything needed daily ? water bottle, lunch, reading record etc - or pack it the night before.

I help in Reception at DCs school, so I have seen firsthand the chaos that ensues when unlabelled clothing gets mislaid or mixed up. I am disbelieving at the number of parents who don?t label anything, even expensive embroidered jumpers & coats etc, and then moan when it gets lost. There?s only one person to blame here and it?s not the teacher. The children find it very upsetting when something important is lost.

Think ahead and make things as easy as you can for them ? find out when they do PE because trousers (for girls) are often a better bet on PE days than struggling with getting tights on and off. And similarly, take earrings out before school on PE days, or they?ll have to wear masking tape on their ears which is nasty when it gets hair stuck to it. Velcro shoes instead of stiff buckles, break the seal on packed lunch items, make a little cut in a banana skin so it opens first time ? all that kind of stuff makes a big difference to everyone?s peace of mind, yours and theirs.

Hopefully you'll be lucky and have polo shirts for uniform, but if not, definitely buy short sleeve shirts and not long sleeve ones - they are easier to get on and off and stay cleaner for longer. If you have a little girl and have the option for pinafores and cardigans these too are often easier to manage than jumpers and skirts (teachers moan at kids for not having their shirts tucked in). Bigger sizes are often easier too.

A keyring with photo of your child on one side and their name / class on the other is a good way of naming book-bags and lunch bags. Instantly identifiable to everyone whether they can read or not.

DS is just coming to the end of Reception and has had a brilliant time. All my fears were completely unfounded and we're very lucky that he settled like a dream. A few niggles, of course, but don't suffer in silence if you think there's an issue - once you've got past the 'he said she said' tittle tattle and you think you have cause for concern, ask to speak to the teacher/TA. They would rather have the opportunity to nip any problems in the bud as soon as possible and move on. Equally, pick your battles wisely and don't be a door hog!

Heartily agree with the majority of tips already in - the only practical things I would add are:

• if you're buying school shoes from Clarks, you may find you need to make an appointment to get a school shoe fitting. They get so busy from August onwards that they often can't take walk-ins so it's worth giving your local store a ring. Their insole name labels are also really good and have stayed put in DS' shoes.

• trousers - if you buy with a little bit of growing room (and why wouldn't you), tack or iron up the hems so there's no hint of the bottom of the hem touching the ground with shoes on. DS' trousers looked like they fitted beautifully from the front on that first Monday morning, but by Friday afternoon the hems were ripped to shreds where they'd dragged on the ground. Grrrrrr.

Now then, who can help me with my baby transitioning into Year 1?

sorry if this has already been said but one of my top tips would be to take a big bag with you at pick up ... if your child is anything like mine they will dump everything on you as soon as they come out whilst they remain clutter free - school bag/lunchbox/coat/jumper/painting/obscure loo roll sculpture/letters from school. Take a big canvas tote or similar and stuff everything in there until you get home.

be prepared for tears ... at any time! My dd settled in fabulously but a few weeks before christmas she realised it was f-o-r-e-v-e-r and had a delayed reaction. It completely took me by surprise.

be prepared to have to cobble outfits together for christmas play etc at very short notice - they (teachers) will announce the need for a costume for Monday on the friday prior. Something red/white and/or green is handy for the first term - they're bound to be an elf/santa/angel. Poundshop is also your friend.

Just if it helps:

DD, still aged 4, last day of reception today as we are away next week. Although excited for summer she is devastated to not be going to school for next 7 weeks. She has LOVED it!

I have a slightly different take to MissWoowoo - I enforced a strict "carry your own stuff" regime from day one. If he's really laden down I offer to help and carry something for him, and he says thank you. Once again I have a little glimpse of how strict I am compared to others! Horses for courses - I think the tip is "expect there to be loads of stuff and have a plan on who will carry it home and how"

buy a good nit comb

Is it just me then that has two boys (who at times have had longish hairstyles) that have gone through 17 years of nursery and primary school between then that have never, ever had nits?? Surely not?!?

becstarsky - I agree with you re the bag carrying - i would obviously help mine out, but i expected them to carry their own stuff home - consequently they quickly learn to make sure that it is packed as much as possible into their backpack before they leave the cloakroom!!

If your child is having packed lunches,then open things for them when you pack it eg,crisp packets,snap the end of bananas,start the peel on oranges etc.It makes a big difference!

look up name it labels - they are lovely and the iron labels STAY ON! I disagree on permanent marker which I found does wash off eventually. I used iron on labels and they have been amazing. They are great for book bags, shoes, lunch bags and bottles - anything really!

Yes - they will be very tired and because of this you might notice some dramatic and hysterical behaviour.

Don't get too stressed about your child's writing/reading etc. AND definitely do not compare your child to others - My child is one of the youngest in the year and I used to get quite frustrated about her inability to concentrate but of course she was only just 4 years old! I never thought I would behave like that so watch out - it can sneak up on you!

I agree with previous post - don't always believe that they didn't play with anyone etc. Check with teacher because anyone working in reception won't let that happen!

With regards to how much uniform. I had 2 skirts and 1 trousers for dd. But I am hopeless at doing laundry so I often was tumble drying something at 08.10am despite having a large supply!!!! If you are organised and systematic with your chores then you can get away with less. If you are crap and chaotic get lots! buy a few right size shirts (3,4 or 5) have a spare packet of bigger ones for 'desperate days!'.
In the cupboard now I have:
3 skirts/1 trousers
3 sweatshirts
1 cardigan
5 right size shirts
4 next size up shirts (all of which have been worn!)
5 summer dresses
massess of tights, socks and vests!!!
Probably seems like too much, I know, but some of that was picked up second hand along the way. And having it there keeps me sane!

With regards to nits - the nitty gritty comb is fab (found out about it on here). You CAN get it on prescription so bear that in mind as all nit products cost a fortune!

Ok I don't even know what a book bag is (as opposed to a school bag?) so my ds can't possibly go to school this year!

Oh YES! key rings for book bags and lunch bags are ACE. Definitely a top tip!

igggi a book bag is a flat bag often with school logo on - think alot of schools use these for younger ones instead of a proper bag. They bring their reading book and any letters home in it.

Thanks Dixiechich
Now I know what I'm looking for!

Check with the school before you buy they may provide one or tell you what exactly to buy - DD's had to be bought from school.

lol - as a "dinner lady" (sorry - but mid-day supervisor still feels a bit poncey to me) bananas are NEVER a problem - first time a child asks us to open one we show them "how the monkeys open them" pinch and pull apart the OTHER end (not the stalk end) works every time - and when you see the little ones showing others - or hear them telling their mums about it all full of pride, it feels great!

The fruit that REALLY bugs me.... is the last week old really thin skinned clementine from the bottom of the fruit bowl.... they take AGES to peel.... I peel them and wrap in clingfilm for my kids.

Buy a 3 pack of gloves or mittens from H&M before they sell out- £2.99

If you think you will cry on day 1 then get someone else to take your child to school!

Bring a drink for them to have on the way home, and Ask them if they need the toilet before leaving the school yard at the end of the day. They always arrive home desperate for the toilet and thirsty.

A tip from my friend (my DD also starting September) If your child has a detachable hood, name the hood too!

With gloves, I'm planning on sewing a bit of ribbon onto the glove and safety pinning them into the sleeves, or maybe sewing them in as probably less dangerous.

I spent a fortune on nametags this week, but I have sew in tags, stickers (and shoe covers) and little tags to attach to PE bag/bookbag/lunchbox

All of the uniform and shoes have been bought (7weeks til they start!) now all I have to do is start sewing.....

my ds4 starts this sept, he has 3 pairs of trousers, 2 jumpers and 5 polo shirts as they are WHITE and if he is anything like his older brothers they will get filthy!

bookbag, just a plain one or with school logo they are normally only about £3?

small rucksack for his lunchbox and drinks bottle to go in, he already uses these at pre-school so i know he can open them all etc.

draw string pe bag, and t-shirt, shorts and jogging bottoms for colder days and trainers.

shoes and trainers are velcro, plus wellies for wet weather.

i label everyhting with a sharpie marker pen, its easy, write on the label and the inside cuff or bottom hem, or on the inside of pockets on trousers as YES people cut labels out!

agree re making sure htey can wipe their own bum and go to the toilet on own, do up coat, get shoes on etc, plus yes have a nit comb and treatment in the house!

mine all have packed lunches generally except when i cant be arsed or a special day like jubilee etc when i ordered them a school dinner.

i have bought all his uniform already, infact have had it for weeks, they sell out as soon as the summer holidays start and m&s already have their 20% off school uniform!

i make my children carry their own bags as well as another poster said, on days they have swim kit etc as well or an instrument i will help if they ask politely!

i think thats about it tbh, it will be fine btw everyone :)

oh at our school pe kit gets taken in on monday, hung on their peg and then brought home on the friday for a wash, tho i have a look/smell and see if it needs washing, it doesnt always :)

I am the only person here that gives clean gym kit twice a week???

for primary aged dc i would say yes amck ds1 is now at high school and his gets washed after each use, so yes twice a week he gets clean stuff, but for kids in primary no, once a week or less if htey have just been doing indoor pe and its not visibly dirty/smelly! slattern mother me but actually everyone at my kids primary does the same, takes it home once a week to wash.

as they get older it may need to be done more often, my ds2 is yr 5 and his needs washing midweek sometimes.