What does DS need to start reception?

[schroedingersdodo]

DS1 is my PFB and until recently I wasn't sure if he was going to go to school at all (didn't get a place in any school I liked, so I was considering private, homeschooling, whatever).

Now he was offered a place in a school that has no uniform. I sent them an email asking what sort of equipment he needs for September, but received no answer. I have no leaflet or anything from the school and I'm not from the UK, so I'm not familiar with British schools. (Couldn't find anything on the website either. Apparently, parents are not usually as clueless as me)

I have no idea what sort of clothes he needs, if there are rules for the "non-uniform" clothes, PE clothes, etc.

Do I buy him a backpack to take the books in? Or do I buy a "book bag"? Do I have to buy notebooks, pencils, pens, stationary stuff?

What should I buy for PE?

Do I have to write his name on every piece of clothing? Should I get him a named raincover as well? Should I buy those name tag things I always see advertised in magazines?

I suppose I also have to buy a lunchbox. How is he supposed to scooter to school with a backpack and a lunchbox? (mum carries them, I guess).

Do I get a prize for most clueless parent? He's starting school in 1 month, I have nothing ready and I don't even know the exact date, as it's not on the website. Also, he is number 1 on the waiting list of a school we'd prefer. So in fact I'm not even sure to what school he is going. (I guess September will be a very interesting month in the Schroedingers house)

You are not a clueless parent, the school is being rubbish. You should have had a load of stuff from the school including details of what he needs. Have the school actually been in touch since you had the offer?

DS2 is starting in September also. He has school logo polo shirts and sweatshirts, plain grey trousers which you can get at tesco, m& s or wherever, black school shoes, grey socks. He has a school logo book bag, plus school house colour PE t shirt, plain navy PE shorts, track suit, plimsolls and a PE bag. He also has swimming kit as they do swimming every week.

Children in the first three years of school get free school dinners from this year, so he'll be having those, no lunchbox, although if you prefer to send him with a packed lunch that will be fine.

But the school should have told you all this. There will be someone in before school starts, so perhaps get him the basics and make sure you ring the office before school starts.

Our school do not expect children to have anything other than uniform, PE kit (white t-shirt, blue shorts and plimsolls - total cost about 6 in Sainsburys) and a book bag when they are in reception. Everything else is provided by the school. Mid morning snack is provided (at a nominal cost) by the school. Oh, actually we also had to provide a water bottle that was left in school but we were told about that after they had started. We also have to provide waterproofs and wellies on one day a week as they are taught outside irrespective of the weather but that is very much our school, rather than a general rule of all primary schools.

Personally I bought mine a large rucksack that would carry a lunchbox and their reading folders so that they could carry their own stuff to and from school. Their PE kit is left in school all term so that only needed carrying in on the first day.
I name absolutely everything in black marker pen (I bought a Sharpie laundry pen) although biro lasts for a few washes as a last resort. I have no idea about rules for non-uniform, but having seen the state that uniform has got into - paint on it, marker pen on it etc, don't provide anything that matters if it get wrecked.

Ours is book bag - any - and PE kit - supermarket shorts Tshirt and pumps £10 the lot

tbh reception usually go back later. I'd contact them on the first day of term and not worry until then

Thanks a lot!

Flowery, I expected the school to at least answer my email, but maybe there isn't anyone in the office this month. I'll wait a few days and send a second email. They haven't been in touch, but I only got the offer a week ago.

Well, now at least I have an idea of what to buy for the first days. It looks like I need a lunch bag (he'll have packed lunches), rucksack, plimsols. And either tags or I'll use the permanent marker.

Do I have to put his name on his normal clothes? (I mean, if they are changing into PE kit, their clothes will get mixed, right?)

Re: PE kit: if the clothes are left at school, when are they washed? :o

PS: If he gets a place in the other school, then I'll have to buy the whole uniform. Sounds like a pain, but maybe it will make the whole thing easier to organise.

Tobysmum, that's what I'll do, but I need at least a few days if I'm going to order stuff online.

Well, the truth is that I wish I could tell DS where he's going, and get everything, and get him excited! But that's not going to happen, not now.

One of my friends got offered a place very recently and emailed the school and had a response within 48 hours but it did say that no one would be around for a couple of weeks after that. I imagine someone will reply to you soon. Also, have you had a really good hunt around the website? For some reason, what DD needs to start reception is listed in the prospectus.

Other than uniform, DD needs a book bag, a water bottle & waterproofs. They don't bother with PE in the first half of this term in reception as there is too much else for them to get used to but, from half term, she will require a PE kit and a bag to put it in. That bag will live on her peg for half a term at a time when it can come home for a wash. She'll only be wearing it for 30 mins or so a week and isn't going to get sweaty.

There is unlikely to be anyone in school answering the phone or emails until the office staff return in September-they don't work over the Summer, even if teachers do! The offer will presumably have come from the Local Authority so the school might not even know yet!!

Name on absolutely everything!

Weird to have had nothing from the school. Reception children don't normally go straight in full time. DS2 is doing half days afternoons only until 16th September, and other children in his class are doing different arrangements depending on when their birthday falls.

Our office was open for a couple of days after the end of last time and will be open a couple of days before term starts I think, so assuming yours is similar, no point contacting them again just yet.

Oh, and our PE kits get sent home at half term for washing, although obviously you can bring it home more often if you like.

Office managers are some times in a couple of days early - ours is. What does the web site say about PE kit
All reception children get free hot dinners in school. Name everything that goes into school to within an inch of it's life. Things get lost of mixed up all the time. Even with no uniform kids swop clothes by mistake or have similar looking stuff. My DD has come home in a friends shoes more than once - same shoe, totally different size

Retired primary Teaching Assistant here -

If he has been to nursery/pre-school, he should be confident playing in groups of children, talking to staff, putting his hand up to ask or answer questions, asking when he needs the toilet.

But if he hasn't been to any kind of pre-school, there are obviously a lot of new things for him to learn, which may be quite scary for him at first. Some Reception classes allow parents of new children to stay for a while to settle a child in. Teachers, TAs and other staff WANT new children (and parents) to be happy, so they usually look after them carefully and kindly!

You have been told everything he needs to start school, but a few things that may make his life easier in the early weeks :

~ Be able to manage the toilet on his own (though staff will also be prepared to help when necessary.)

~ Be able to undress and get dressed again after PE (but, again, staff will assist.)

~ Recognise his name, so he will know which is his coat peg.

~ Be able to use a knife and fork for lunch, and not be afraid to tell the lunch staff what he wants to eat/drink.

~ Don't worry about what he knows about letters, numbers etc, as at first most things should be 'play', but if he knows how to take turns and share with others, that is useful. Knowing how to hold a book, and use a pencil or crayon for 'mark making' are also useful skills.

~ If he does have a toilet 'accident', staff should be prepared to look after him, but maybe send spare pants/trousers, just in case.

GOOD LUCK, and I hope everything goes smoothly for you all.

Was he made the offer after schools broke up for the summer? If so the school may not know until staff return in September. Teaching staff are often in school 1 or 2 days before the children return so it's worthwhile trying to contact the school then.

If the school has no uniform I would send him in everyday clothes, PE kit of Tshirt, shorts and plimsoles. Lunchbox unless you plan to take up free school lunches.

In our school you don't need a bookbag in reception as we buy one in for each child with a welcome to school pack in, you won't need a p.e kit until after half term, maybe even Christmas. We don't ask for wellies until October ish so you would be fine with just a water bottle and lunchbox

Thanks a lot for all your replies!

Ferguson DS1 already goes to nursery, and they have been doing a lot of preparation for "big school", so I think DS1 won't have problems with asking to go to toilet, eating by himself (but I'll sen packed lunches anyway), reading his own name or going to toilet (unless he has a poo, but we're working on that). He can dress and undress himself as well. Think I'm going to send extra shorts and pants, to be on the safe side.

Well, I'm now much calmer, having an idea of how things are in the first few days/weeks. Thanks!

Is he not going to have a free school lunch?
Most schools have one or Twp onset days before the children start
You could phone then and do a last minute shop before he starts
Which is what you will have to do if he gets in at the other school