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Original poster

What all to carry to school reception year, day 1

33 replies

Saichinna · 31/07/2013 21:41

We are moving from Scotland to England, where my son would be starting in reception, still don't know which school😢, I am so nervous😱 what do I need to send with him on day 1. Please advice. Do I need to buy any books, any bag, lunch box etc. thanks for your help.

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Periwinkle007 · 31/07/2013 21:44

when you get told which school they should give you an info pack. as it sounds like it will all be short notice you may need to ask the office as soon as you get notification.

certainly at our school on the first day they will take their book bag, a clear drinking bottle of water and their PE kit (although they probably won't start PE for a couple of weeks). Ours are only on half days for the first 2.5 weeks so no lunchbox needed. No books or pencils or anything are required.

our school specify the school bag has the logo on it and same with PE bag and PE kit etc. All this info should come with a uniform list when you get the notification of the school

wineoclocktimeyet · 31/07/2013 21:44

If he is having school dinners, nothing otherwise just a packed lunch (weather depending,he will need a sunhat or a raincoat).

The chances are there will be an inset day the day before school starts so you can always phone the day before and ask.

CaptainSweatPants · 31/07/2013 21:45

I would send him with a packed lunch, snack & water bottle

But the day before he starts you should find out if he needs lunch , they're often half days for the first 2 weeks

You can buy a book bag from the office once you know which school and his uniform

wineoclocktimeyet · 31/07/2013 21:45

Forgot a water bottle

AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom · 31/07/2013 21:46

Many schools do not allow school bags because of space in the cloak room, so don't rush out and buy one of those.

CaptainSweatPants · 31/07/2013 21:46

Our reception children start a week later so you might have a few days to get things sorted once school opens

ThreeBeeOneGee · 31/07/2013 21:47

Mine had to take a bottle of water, and appropriate weather gear (sunhat or raincoat). A bookbag just wasn't practical to hold these things, so they had small rucksacks with a side pocket for the water bottle.

Books are provided. Some schools stagger the start times so new Reception children start mornings first, then stay for lunch, then the whole day.

CaptainSweatPants · 31/07/2013 21:47

To be honest whatever you sent him to nursery with on the first day will be fine & don't worry, the teacher will understand that it's all very last minute

Good luck with the move :)

500internalerror · 31/07/2013 21:48

I'm sure you'll get a list or guidelines, don't panic. There's nothing they can't do without for a few days, apart from food!

nextphase · 31/07/2013 21:49

So, no pens, pencils etc?
Just what he "needs" - food and clothing, and something to put them in - ie the school issued book bag, which I can pick up between 10 and 3 in the three days before he starts?

OK, so 2 days off work for starting school required then....

AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom · 31/07/2013 21:50

That's rubbish Next. Ours could be collected at any of the settling in sessions, or at the parents' evening or make other arrangments.

Periwinkle007 · 31/07/2013 22:01

if it is last minute then it won't matter if on the first day he doesn't have a school bag. I forgot a drink for my daughter but they gave her water when they did morning snack (they supply fruit for the snack so we don't have to send anything).

nextphase · 31/07/2013 22:06

We couldn't order til the settling session - July. Initially told the office would be open normal hours the first half of the week, and then changed her mind, and wouldn't keep the office open after 3 (normally there til 4 or half past). She just looked blank when I asked how I was suppose to collect, and suggested my mother. I can just see that conversation, Mummy dear, could you drive for 3 hours to pick up DS1's new school uniform, please?
They are staggering the starts, he has got the first day, and they start on full days. I guess I could pick up as we get there on day 1, but I know DS1 will want to see the stuff, and wear it TOO school that first day....

I think this school lark and full time work is going to be more challenging than nursery....

Sorry, Saichinna rant and hijack over. Good luck with the move and school place.

simpson · 31/07/2013 23:18

DD has just finished reception and she went in with her PE kit (which is kept at school), and her book bag (key ring on it so she knew it was hers amongst a big pile).

She has school dinners.

noramum · 01/08/2013 12:41

The first day was from 9.40am to 11.15am.

DD went in with water bottle and PE kit. Book bags were given to them after 3 weeks.

They didn't had lunch for the first two weeks. They still (will start Y2 in September) don't need a snack as they get free fruit or carrots and subsidized milk (I think we pay £0.15 per day).

HorryIsUpduffed · 01/08/2013 12:51

On the first day - 9-1 - mine took:

bookbag (given by school)
PE kit
water bottle
wet weather gear
spare pants and socks "just in case"

He had school dinners to start with, while there was a lot of help, and packed lunches later on.

You should not need to send stationery or snacks (fruit should be provided). A distinctive water bottle is crucial though.

MidniteScribbler · 01/08/2013 12:56

Don't forget to take your DS. I had that happen once... very organised parent, bustled in, hung up bag, unpacked books, everything perfectly covered and labelled, introduced herself to the teacher. Left her daughter sitting at the kitchen table.

Grin
Original poster
Saichinna · 01/08/2013 20:59

Thanks all. Once I know the school, I shall ring up and find out. But, waterbottle, raincoat and sun hat added on the list, and spare pants;-)

OP posts:
Xihha · 01/08/2013 21:25

DD's school have said:
Book bag
PE kit
Wellies (to be left in school)
Spare knickers/pants and tights/socks
Drinks bottle
Lunch box
Rain coat (to be left in school)
2 pencils.

DS's school just wanted
£4 (for the book bag)
PE kit
Lunch (they provided the drinks bottle)

MiaowTheCat · 02/08/2013 08:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

simpson · 02/08/2013 14:35

PMSL at forgetting the child Grin

GreenEggsAndNaiceHam · 02/08/2013 21:11

midnite, what did the parent do when they realised?

olibeansmummy · 02/08/2013 21:24

Ds's school do mornings only for 2 1/2 weeks so no lunch required but he will be going with his book bag, fruit for break time ( they do free fruit in afternoon but not sure what they'll do in the first few weeks), pe kit ( they start pe straight away) and coat. The school give children their first water bottle as they want school branded ones so he won't need to take a water bottle.

HorryIsUpduffed · 02/08/2013 21:53

I think having matching water bottles is complete insanity. DS finds it tricky enough to find his bottle in the rack even though nobody else's has the same picture and it has a unique labelling system

At least book bags live in different trays and PE kits live on labelled pegs.

wheredidiputit · 02/08/2013 22:04

Once you now what school they are going to, then work from there.

Our school take 10 children a day and all day from day one, where as a school less then a mile away reception children don't go all day until the 8th October. So the parents will have a month of faffing around collecting their children at various times of the day/week.