This is a public service announcement for parents of 2016 Reception starters

[kippersyllabub]

1. Whatever "settling in" arrangements your school tells you they have, you, the parent are entitled to send your child to school full time from the very start of the Autumn term, or part time until they reach compulsory school age. This is up to you. It is not up to the school. If you need to quote legislation at the headteacher, it's the school admissions code (this is secondary legislation) and this has been clarified in the 2015 report of the Office of the Schools' adjudicator.
   

1. It really helps if they can take themselves to the loo, get changed for PE and put their coat on. Counting, reading and writing early don't make a huge difference compared to the above.
   

1. label everything
   

Have I forgotten anything?

[blaeberry]

Always search through their bag for notes as soon as you get home from school or you will discover at 8:45 the next morning that they need to take packed lunch/favourite book/Victorian schoolboy's outfit with them that day.

[madamginger]

When your child goes up a shoe size don't forget to check their PE pumps too.
My DS didn't have a pair 2 sizes too small all all

[Gazelda]

If they are known by a name other than that on the register, let the teacher know before day 1. Eg if their name is Josephine but they've always been referred to as Jo. They might not realise they're being spoke to if they don't head 'Jo'. Also, many teachers get the class set up before term starts including pegs labelled etc. Make sure they get the name your DC would prefer to be called.

[isittheholidaysyet]

Reception uniform gets trashed by their playing/learning/dinner eating. Although now is the time you want to buy nice uniform, I recommend using 2nd hand stuff now (if you can get it). There's plenty of time to buy new in year 4/5/6, when there is less second hand stuff around. Especially if your school requires expensive things like Blazers.

Tippex-pens are great for labelling shoes, plimsolls etc.

[mailfuckoff]

go now to the school may fayre/ summer fayre. It will help your child feel comfortable at the school when they start and will allow you a chance for a look round. Be prepared to spend more then you think - but the cash is all going towards your childs school.

[AntiquityOverShares]

ToInfinity My son has ASD and this month I have a meeting with the primary SENCO to discuss his needs and a transition plan. Definitely need to contact the school if you haven't!

[TheWordOfBagheera]

Not sure if this is commonly an issue, but I've been thinking about getting mine used to eating at the times they would for school, and not being able to have a snack or drink of milk whenever they feel peckish.

[gallicgirl]

When it comes to school kit, ask in the office as to what's really required.
The list might say polo shirts with school logo, but in reality, they might be fine with plain ones as long as they have a logo shirt for photos and day trips.

I've really found out that my reception child hasn't worn her plimsolls at all. I knew they didn't change into PE kit for a few weeks but it seems they do PE barefoot. I'm fairly sure she might have grown out of them by now which is pretty damn annoying.

[teabag20048]

If putting small packets in lunch boxes, make a snip in the top so its easier for them to open.
A small ice pack in the lunch box to keep everything cool
A spare pair of their own knickers/pants in a small bag in their book bag, i done this after my dd was given school supplies which were two sizes too small!

[ShowOfHands]

They may even get worms

At any given time 40% of primary aged dc have worms. If it happens, you're in good company. It is easily treated too.

[teabag20048]

I always put tissues in pockets too, the toilet roll doesn't always get changed when run out

[NotCitrus]

If they all have identical book bags and PE bags, get some cool key rings to personalise yours with. Only not so cool that they get nicked (Angry Birds, Star Wars...)

Label clothes with biro or marker - re-write every half term or so. This means you can include your child's class which means dropped jumpers/plimsolls will end up in the right classroom and then more likely back with your child.

Find your chequebook as you may need that for paying for clubs/trips/whatever.

Put World Book Day in your calendar as you will be requested to dress your child up as something or have them go in pyjamas. Children In Need Week involves spotty outfits. As soon as you hear it is 'X week', find your 20ps and £1 coins and assume the Friday will involve some dressing up. Stickers and paper crowns and any sort of robe solve most costume problems!

[Blowninonabreeze]

Going to school completely exhausts them!

Even if they're already in a setting with much longer hours, the transition to reception is tiring. I used to carry DD2 out of reception on a Friday afternoon and quickly introduced TV Friday where they did (and still do) nothing on a Friday evening after school and can watch TV if they like.

take a snack to school pick up. they come out ravenous and the walk g
home/to the car is much easier with a snack.

[amidawish]

keep after school clubs to a minimum for reception at least

ask them questions the next morning. they will be too tired to tell you anything at the end of the day.

don't panic if they tell you they don't have any friends or they played by themselves

[EdithWeston]

"When it comes to school kit, ask in the office as to what's really required."

Even better than that, try to trap a parent with a yrR/1/2 child at the moment and ask them.

[Dixiechickonhols]

One length hair for girls is best for nit prevention. Can be tightly tied back and plaited. Spray with tee tree detangler and hairspray. DD age 10 has never had nits (touch wood) Still use hairspray daily. The ones with fringes/bobs especially if they were getting too long always seemed to be messing and flicking about with them in assembly.

Make sure child knows how to turn clothes back inside out after PE. Dressing from a neat pile put out by mum and dressing from an inside out heap are 2 different things.

I keep stick on stickers and iron on labels in dd's sock drawer. Anything gets labelled as soon as we get it. I like easy 2 name or name it labels.

[sirfredfredgeorge]

Don't believe the "kid will be shattered after school" bit, and assume that will mean lots of quiet evenings and child free time - DD's gone out from 9pm sleep to 10pm sleep in the two terms of reception.

It may be common, but it doesn't seem to be universal!

[GibbousHologram]

Be ready for anything re tiredness; tantrums, night time wetting, daytime wetting.

I'd recommend planning a week at home in Oct half term.

[Dixiechickonhols]

Do save some annual leave there may be phonics workshop, stay and play, harvest assembly and a nativity. My DD stayed in her daycare nursery that last summer, I didn't take any leave to maximise leave once she started school.

Do think about hols. Keep a look out for what is on offer this summer as many also clubs also run in half terms. People do book up holiday care early.

[isittheholidaysyet]

"When it comes to school kit, ask in the office as to what's really required.
Even better than that, try to trap a parent with a yrR/1/2 child at the moment and ask them."

DON'T ask in the office, they'll tell you the whole kit list is compulsory. Recent current parents are a far better place to get information

[kippersyllabub]

And when you get fed up with losing PE shirts or jumpers start labelling them on the outside :)? Ditto coats if you get a coat thief.

[coldcanary]

Following on the tired theme - that first term can be a bitch to get through for little ones (and not so little ones - my 15 year old still spends the first 2 days of the Christmas holiday in bed!) and they tend to come down with Everything they could possibly get. Be gentle at weekends for a while.
Oh and be bright, breezy and quick when saying goodbye. Don't lurk at the door.

[coldcanary]

Another one: join the ptfa, even if it's just to get on the mail shots. You find things out quicker that way
(Disclaimer, I am actually on our ptfa and volunteer so am practicing what I preach)

[quarkandmarmite]

Can I also add the following:

1. Do not loose the plot with the teacher if your child's jumper/cardigan has gone missing especially if you haven't labelled it! Even labelled clothing goes missing but turns up eventually. Jumpers actually have legs. We (teachers) have no idea where they hide, but they do.
   

1. Also check the playground and office for lost coats. Half the school hang their coats on railing in the playground at lunchtime and the forget.
   

1. Snacks at playtime. If it is anything like my school, the free fruit and veg is totally unappetising and chances are your kids won't eat it.
   

1. Water bottle IF the school doesn't provide one. I find it unhygienic (imo) to go the loo and use the water fountain that everyone else uses. Breeding ground for germs especially in a little kids' toilets.
   

1. PE kits in on a Monday and home on a Friday preferably in the whole half term. Unlikely to get sweaty enough in a week to need a wash.
   

1. Book bags every day. Chances are, the day you forget will be the day they arrive home with a forest load of letters.
   

1. Listen to your child's complaints with caution. I am in no doubt that a child will tell you the truth, but even a 4 year old is ept and a pro at giving you HALF of the truth or the part they want you to know. Speak to the teacher calmly and with the intention of finding out the WHOLE story. You'll look like a twit, thanks to your little darling, going in with a full ammunition to blast the teacher and then realise that actually your little darling wasn't giving the full facts.
   

1. Be prepared for yoghurt explosions on a Monday. They never seem to dirty their clothes on a Friday. I have a reception starter in September and aim to buy the school logo jumper and t'shirts (I remain optimistic) but will buy the emergency cheap stuff from tesco/asda/matalan dare I say M&S who are seemingly cheaper than I thought
   

1. Your child is NOT being bullied. Just because 'Olivia' or 'Jack' comes home and says that 'Chloe' or 'Thomas' called them a name, or said they weren't their friend or hurt them at playtime, does not make the child a bully nor your child a victim. It is part and parcel of growing up. Kids do and say nasty things, we as adults teach them the right way and discourage the wrong. It will happen time and time again. Kids need repetition. Learning to socialise and act accordingly takes years of PRACTISE. I have two girls in my class who are best of friends but my God, when they fall out you'd think North Korea and the USA were on the brink of WWIII! One parent is even convinced their darling is being bullied. No, they just fight like cats and dogs. Best of friends one minute and best enemies the next. The following day, all is forgotten! Most playground fall outs are actually more disturbing and upsetting for the parent than it is for the child. I say MOST!! Not all!
   

10. Remember teachers are also human too. We make mistakes. We don't intend to make mistakes but we do and some teachers are parents too so we know, to a certain extent, how 'you' might feel on that first day and many have been through the same emotions and anxieties that 'you' will go through too. We have 30 little souls to care for during the day. They won't get our undivided attention so some independence (dressing themselves, toileting themselves and being able to play with other children and on their own) would be good.