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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Reception PE in vest and pants?

80 replies

philbee · 29/08/2012 16:46

Is this normal? We've had very little info about anything from the school, but info about uniform / PE kit says shorts etc. for older kids and reception will do PE in vest and pants. I feel like it's a bit undignified and am thinking of giving DD a little pair of shorts to wear. She can dress / undress herself. But I don't know if I'm just being daft. Friends (including primary teachers) seem a bit puzzles by it and think it's a bit outdated.

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Rosebud05 · 29/08/2012 21:38

I don't understand the need for an outfit change or removal to throw a few bean bags around at the age of 4.

I don't think getting changed is part of the NC, but it's not in early years, I don't think?

I don't see the problem with reception aged children doing PE with any thick jumpers removed.

mrz · 29/08/2012 21:51

Yes it is part of the EYFS curriculum
in nursery - Dresses, undresses and manages own personal hygiene
with adult support
and in reception - Dresses and undresses independently and manages own
personal hygiene

Pooka · 29/08/2012 22:49

Which is covered really by kids taking outer clothes off for pe and then putting them back on, rather than needing separate kit.

I don't understand why a girl would feel more free and uninhibited wearing an additional layer of clothes (I.e. shorts) under a skirt. It seems that it would feel the reverse - quite cumbersome and restrictive. Saying that, dd (9) does wear legging under short skirts (but only when they're short) because it seems to be the look (channelling my mother).

If the child was the NLT child wearing underwear, then they may be upset (like when is own clothes day and a child is the only one wearing uniform). But if that is the uniform, I expect most 4/5 year olds wouldn't bat an eyelid.

Rosebud05 · 30/08/2012 07:02

Also covered by going to the toilet independently, putting coat/wellies/hat on and taking them off?

It does depend on the child, but the not faffing around with a change of clothes certainly worked for my dd at the beginning of reception certainly and I was grateful for it.

peppapigpants · 30/08/2012 23:16

If your DC doesn't normally wear a vest, keep one at school on their peg just for PE days.

In my school most of the kids have a vest AND a t-shirt on under their uniform t-shirt...takes them hours to get naked enough to put PE kit on!

NovackNGood · 31/08/2012 10:28

If teachers in the state sector don't bother separating the sexes for changing for PE do they send them all to the same toilets too?

exoticfruits · 31/08/2012 12:55

What has that got to do with it?
Key stage 1 DCs do not need to change separately.

mrz · 31/08/2012 13:49

NovackNGood yes we have unisex toilets with separate cubicles

mrz · 31/08/2012 13:50

peppapigpants they get naked very quickly it's covering up that takes hours

exoticfruits · 31/08/2012 15:32

Why would reception classes need girls and boys toilets if they are separate cubicles?

RevoltingChildren · 31/08/2012 19:59

It always amazes me that schools can have boys & girls changing together but that the law states that children who take part in a theatre performance, even a little dance school show have to have separate changing rooms from the age of 5.

exoticfruits · 31/08/2012 20:26

I think that it is just logistics- schools don't have separate rooms to change in - a law would make it impossible. In reception class half would have to wait until they were changed in a corridor, then swap around and by that time it would be time to get changed back again! I also wouldn't like to have to occupy half a class in a confined space.

DeWe · 31/08/2012 20:27

But revolting isn't that basically because the law is for age 5-16yo, there's no difference in stage regulations for a just 5yo and a nearly 16yo. If I remember rightly

It does mean my ds will have to get changed with the senior boys if he, as I expect is the only junior boy in this year's panto. He's going to enjoy that... not sure they will

exoticfruits · 31/08/2012 20:27

I don't think that some of you have any experience in dealing with more than 20 4yr olds at once - or have much understanding of school buildings!

RevoltingChildren · 31/08/2012 20:30

Under 5 they still need to be licensed/have an exemption but can change with girls. At dd's dance school this meant the pre primary class were all together in a big holding room with chaperones except for one little dot of a 5 year old who had to go backstage proper with the big boys (who were aged up to 13)

I felt really sorry for him

exoticfruits · 31/08/2012 20:33

Which shows the sheer stupidity of rules. Common sense tells you that a 5 yr old boy is better getting changed with other 5 year olds than 12 yr olds.

exoticfruits · 31/08/2012 20:33

Sorry - of some rules.

RevoltingChildren · 31/08/2012 20:35

I'm having to look very carefully at where I'm going to hold out theatre school show. The smaller less expensive theatres just don't have the changing facilities:(

NellyJob · 31/08/2012 20:40

do kids really wear vests?
mine never did...

exoticfruits · 31/08/2012 20:42

I'm sure you could put a vest in a bag- it is little different from a Tshirt.

peanutMD · 31/08/2012 21:46

I work in a pre-school with 25 children each am/pm session, from the age of 3.5 years they are expected to get changed with little or no help into gym kit for a weekly session. It takes a while but the more they practice the quicker they get.

I don't have an issue with them greeting changed in the same room but we do allow those who are uncomfortable to go into the toilets or another area which already one child always does.

Thus is why I would have an issue with them getting forced to run around in their underwear.

5madthings · 31/08/2012 21:57

i think mine have done this sometimes in reception, they have shorts and t-shirt or jogging bottoms for pe, and hwne outside they wear them but if they are doing pe in the hall they may do it in vest and pants or t-shirt and pants. they all get changed in the classroom together i think till yr 4ish? its just not generally an issue. i think children can go off to the toilets to get changed if they want to in yr 3/4 but most just get changed in the classroom.

tbh the issue they will have with ds4 who starts school next week will be getting him to keep his clothes on! everytime he goes to the toilet at home he will strip off, or just at any available opportunity, he is often just wearing pants and maybe a t-shirt, he likes to be nudey or just in pants!

i think anything that makes life easier for them in reception, ihave seen the chaos that is 30 kids age 4-5 all in one room trying to get changed for pe! madnes, clothes everywhere, they often seem to be busy chatting to each other, they get distracted and there are cries of so and so has my shorts, i cant find this etc etc! so glad i am not a receptoin teacher it would drive me batty! they are lovely but getting changed quickly and without a fuss is not something all 4 yr olds can do, or they can at home but in a class with all their friends its never that simple!

kakapo · 01/09/2012 07:53

We did this when I was in reception (the 90s). Don't remember ever thinking twice about it as a 4 yr old.

CouthyMow · 01/09/2012 08:59

3 of my DC's would have had no issue with this. One of them, however, would have point blank refused to run around in underwear. His answer, even at 4yo was "It is called 'underwear' for a reason - because it is worn UNDER your clothes."

Obviously nothing I have said or done, as the other 3 couldn't give two hoots, just him personally.

Also, even from the age of 2yo, that one of my children refused to wear 'pants' in favour of boxer shorts. Even now at 10yo, you couldn't pay him to wear 'pants'. Boxers are not exactly 'covering' enough for PE.

For that reason, I would think it odd to do PE in vest and knickers/pants instead of t-shirt and shorts.

MadameCupcake · 03/09/2012 12:03

I understand that it would be easier but lots of children don't wear vests so not really appropriate.

I am shocked that 4 and 5 year olds are not able to get themselves undressed and dressed by the time they go to school - surely this is one of the most important things that they need to be able to do. Surely the teachers should only need to help one or two children who may have difficulties for one reason or another.

Is it normal that children of this age can't dress themselves?

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