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DD1 starts school on Tuesday. I feel like I am unprepared...

21 replies

mama2moo · 02/09/2012 20:43

I have no idea if she needs to take her book bag, a snack, juice etc.

Do they do PE in the first few weeks or is that on hold until they go full time?

Also, do they wear plain coats when at primary school or does anything go until secondary?

Thanks in advance Smile

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
LadyStark · 02/09/2012 20:44

I feel the same - really hope someone answers those questions!

mama2moo · 02/09/2012 20:46

Im glad its not just me!

OP posts:
madnortherner · 02/09/2012 20:47

Since she starts on Tuesday, perhaps the staff will be there tomorrow preparing? If so, maybe give the school a call to ask?

BonkeyMollocks · 02/09/2012 20:47

My ds starts tomorrow!

I am going by the 'They will tell me everything on the first day via some sort of letter' way! Wink

Seriously though, I will send him with his bookbag in uniform. Not sure about PE but again I fully expect to be told tomorrow or in due course. I should think they may put it off until they are in full time.

With re to coats, unless it states on the uniform list that it must be plain/balck/blue etc then I am sure anything will be fine.

vodkaanddietirnbru · 02/09/2012 20:47

how long is she in for on Tuesday? I would send her with her book bag, a snack for playtime if she is in for a few hours and water in a water bottle. You may get info home in the first few days detailing days for PE. Our school lets you wear whatever jacket you want and there in an option of a school jacket too. I dont buy the school jacket and ds has a dark coloured jacket and dd's is pink.

blueglue · 02/09/2012 20:48

Yes book bag every day.

Even when they don't actually get books, bag used for messages, letters, drawings...

mama2moo · 02/09/2012 20:50

Thanks all. She is only going for 2 hours in the afternoon for this week then onto 3 hour morning for 3 weeks then full time!

Book bag it is then and some juice in her new bottle (the thing she is most excited about!!!)

OP posts:
yomellamoHelly · 02/09/2012 20:53

Think you'll find juice is a big no-no. Would go with water from start or you'll likely be dealing with the fall-out within the first few days.

vodkaanddietirnbru · 02/09/2012 20:53

are you allowed juice? Some schools specify only water can be taken

BonkeyMollocks · 02/09/2012 20:54

Yes second that about juice.

Our school has said strictly water for in the classrooms and only juice/squash at luchtimes. :)

SizzleSazz · 02/09/2012 20:55

Our school has their own water bottles for the classroom and drinks from home at lunchtime only.

Book bag & uniform and you'll be set Smile

Tgger · 02/09/2012 20:57

DS started last year with all his gear on the first day. It was quite tricky for him to get through the door!- PE kit, book bag, lunch box, water bottle, wellies, indoor shoes (plimsolls). Mind you he was full time straight away. They don't take snacks at his school. Did you get anything telling you what they need? Our school was quite organised and sent an A4 sheet after the meet your new teacher session in the Summer. And any coat is fine normally I think, just make sure you put names on everything- permanent marker is easiest I found!

wanttomakeadifference · 02/09/2012 20:58

Try not yo worry too much. The school will be prepared for things to be a little haphazard for the first few days and anything important will be clarified by letter as time goes on.

I would suggest taking a healthy snack (although some schools do provide fruit for snack time), a drink (our school insists on water), and a book bag (really useful as will probably be used to send letters and drawings home in right from start).

I very much doubt that the colour of coat will matter.

If you have PE kit I would suggest taking it on first day- it is often a useful source of a change of clothes due to paint/ puddle/ toilet related incidents!!

JoyceDivision · 02/09/2012 21:01

DD started last year, hope this helps as I was totally unprepared!

Take book bag every day, even if empty as it is often used for letters / general communication!

Any coat is ok

Need pumps!

]Take PE kit in teh PE Bag as usually it is left of DDs hook in the cloakroom. Our school uses it and then unless it is filthy it stays at school then gets sent home at half term for wash

Only water on the class room flask, definately not juice!! If other kids know there is juice it will prob cause a riot!!

Mark all the uniform, inclusing coat. hat, scarves tec even if it fluorescent yellow with parrots on teh shoulder, because it can and will get mixed up!

EnjoyGOLDResponsibly · 02/09/2012 21:10

Full kit. All labelled first day. That includes PE Kit. DS did PE on Day 1 of Reception.

Water in water bottle.

Fruit as snack in box clearly labelled.

Book bag every day, whether it comes home empty or not.

Charge your camera the night before. Put a hanky in your pocket.

Good luck!!

EnjoyGOLDResponsibly · 02/09/2012 21:12

Put a spare pair of pants in the PE bag, just in case there's a loo related disaster Grin

BieneMaja · 02/09/2012 21:47

DEF no to juice. Cardinal sin in our school [hmmm]

Yes to book bag, yes to water in a water bottle (they might get given one but it won't hurt to have one on the first day).

Ours don't have snack in the afternoon, and get given fruit in the morning but you could send a piece of fruit in case I suppose.

Mine took her PE kit, but I think it took a week or so for all of the kids to bring theirs in so they didn't do PE till then. The first lesson was just practising getting changed anyway Wink

Haberdashery · 02/09/2012 21:51

Another here who thinks absolutely no juice or squash. Water in a bottle, book bag and any coat that she can do up herself will be fine. Failing a coat that she can do up herself, one that is easy for a helper would be good!

In our school, PE was in the hall and they just took their outer clothing, shoes and socks off for the first few weeks. They will tell you when anything more is required (usually with about five minutes notice).

mam29 · 03/09/2012 07:37

eldest school.

any coat goes just ensure childs name on it.

Re coat-amount of time see kids 1st day in full winter coat.
sept /october can be quite warm-maybe its wishful thinking after crappy summer we had. But ours tend to wear summer uniform

which is for

normal grey skirt, while polo, white grey socks and school cardie

or

1 checked blue dress white socks shoes and cardie

I pack spare pair pants in bag and pocket tissues.

On topic uniform non iron shirts are the best prefer shirts to polos which seem to stain easily so 3/4sleeve and short sleeve.

If school logo cardie/jumpers and its sort of fleecey jersey-careful in drier they shrink and ours are not cheap.

This year im opting for a few coats.

my dd currently has fleece lined raincoat from last year.
I liked the boden padded annorak or similar.
find the puffa coats and duffles too bulky and hot for warmer days.
This year getting small packamac for bag so dont get caught out by freaky weather and we walk to school so might get new gillet for autum whn its sunny, windy but not overly good.

dds freinds has tri climate coat from outdoors shop so waterproof with fleece inside seems good idea as covers all season and really does keep them dry.

book bag-from school shop again name on it as every ones got same.
this goes to school and comes home daily.

In the book bag are letters twice a week.
homework book
reading book and phonics.

sometimes they communicate with poster on classroom window or door.

Or our school has text system.

find reception quite handy so rather than bother teacher I go in reception and ask generic questions

They only allowed clear sports bottles-water only
hat if sunny

pe bag-ours is school logo one with shorts, t shirt and daps but ours dident do pe for first few weeks as was staggered times.nd avoid pinafores on that day and opt for skirt and socks or trousers and socks as easier for them to get changed by themselves.

odd tip but ask when pe days are ours is twice a week I try a

Lunch-mine takes mostly packed lunch, school lunches get paid on monday at reception or sealed envelope to teacher clearly marked with childs name, dates, school and class.

if packed lunch-then label lunch box.
cartons juice allowed then no cans.
I try keep as healthy as possible.

I have done every type-the tin was a nightmare.
The fabric character one ok but used to be right mes, drink leak, get filthy-they can be machine washed on delicate.

This year want a plastic tub different compartments an separate pocket for drink.

Re snacks our school kids not allowed to go in lunchbox guess teachers think they might eat food before lunch.

so pack a small snack pot of piece of fruit in bag for morning break.Or send small purse with money to go in draw.
bare in mind reception do get free fruit and free milk.

They also have water fountain.

But the snack might be handy for after school.

after school mine came out tired, whiney and hungry so instant snack on hand good idea.

if anything like hubby dont forget tissues.
I carry wetwipes too as times get to school and shes got dirty face.

Probably bit late but find patent shoes better than leather as can give quick wipe with wetwipe.

What else can I cover

bike lock for scooter or bike-dds school has designated place but her scooter folds up so do take it home.

Try not to do too many activities after school-1st term they get so tired.

Nice early bedtime of 6.30-7pm.

lay everything out night before.

get them to change straight away after school as can sometimes get away with skirt/cardie-2days in a row :)
ensure they put school shoes safe-amount of times we lost them, coat hung up.

ensure you know where scarfs and gloves ,hats are so when gets cold you ready same with suncream they wont apply suncream you have to do that before school.

notebook and envelopes handy as forever using envelopes for consent forms, dinner money, charity donations.

calender on wall a must as between parties as dd got 25invites in reception., playdates, clubs and appointments *my 3kids im frazzled.
Academic diarys also handy as is small adress book to swop contacts with other parents.

decent coat and shoes for self if walking and standing in playground.

Cant think anything else off top of head my dd starts year 2 wed so learnt from mistakes and middle child starting preschool.

LadyStark · 03/09/2012 18:08

Water bottle? Snack? I had no idea these were required. Dash to Sainsbury's in order at some point!

BonkeyMollocks · 03/09/2012 18:12

Ds's first morning today.

Took book bag and a drink of water.

Will take p.e. kit tomorrow to put on his peg.

Unless they state a snack i wouldn't take one. Just take something when you pick them up. Ours give fruit mid morning.

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