School uniform

[SaDo12]

Just got our place confirmed at primary school. When do you start to purchase uniform? Should I wait till the end of the summer holidays or start getting little bits now?

If you need to order school logo items then it's best to get in early as demand increases as time goes on. But check with school that they're not changing anything before you order!

The rest of it can wait as the shops will be flooded with uniform in the summer holidays. Personally I prefer to get bits and pieces from now as it spreads the cost but there is a risk that I'll predict the wrong size of course. Shoes and pumps always wait until August.

Also, if your school has houses, you might need to wait to see what house you are allocated. Shoes, wait til August!

Thanks

Completely forgot about name tapes!!

No name tapes - too much faff! Google 'Stickins' (like plastic covered stickers you simply pop in the label). Available from Amazon, eBay and direct from the retailer. Saved me hours last year. I wash school uniform every night; they haven't worn out.

We've always done shoes in the first half of August, the shoe shops get busier and busier towards the end and less choice, it can be pretty hellish. If your logo'd stuff is bought through the school as opposed to a website or uniform shop don't forget they break up in late July.

I use mainly stick on name labels (from Easy2Name) but also a name stamp from Stamptastic which can be used on all light coloured items. I use sew in / iron ones occasionally, I've acquired a selection over the years. Name label stickers for water bottles, bags etc are useful too.

Another question, would you get pencil case etc or not. I'm a pen freak and am quite excited about stationary shopping with her.

IME, most primary schools allow pencil cases from about Yr 4 onwards. She won't need one in Reception.

They aren't allowed their own stationery in the infants at DD's school so I'd hold off that.

Ours aren't allowed their own stationery till about year 4 either, even then it can be problematic with comparison/loss/theft. Get some nice bits and keep them at home for homework. Although ours are only allowed to write in pencil even then.

Thanks for all the advice. Despite being a teacher (secondary) it's like entering a whole new world.

Buy big, my DD grew 8cm over the summer before she started reception! She wore the stuff I'd bought her for 2 weeks, then it all needed replacing

Check with the school re 2nd hand uniform sales, too - we don't have a stall at the summer fair, but do have a monthly stall after school run by the PSA.

We use easy2name for name tapes, the stick in ones. Our school is registered on there so get a small % of orders which goes back to the PSA.

Try and make a parent friend who knows the ins and outs of your school. Ours offered blazers but only a handful wore them and DD didn't get much wear out of it.

I didn't bother with stick on labels, just used pen on the label.

Marks usually do uniform discounts which end about when schools break up for summer or a bit before. I don't think it starts til about June though.

I found age 4-5 was all out of stock from mid July onwards so I'd say get it end of June. M&s normally have offers on around then too.

I've always written names on with a pilot laundry marker but use stickers for some things from Easy2name

I got advised from friends to do Sainsburys uniform when 25%off so the last two times have picked up trousers, shorts, PE shorts, plimsolls and socks as all three schools we applied to have those in common. My son's pretty small so won't outgrow age 5 stuff. The small sizes seem to go fast so get in early when they do the summer sale. I had to get smart black shoes for a wedding so hopefully they'll still fit for September.
Just need to get school colour polos and some school branded jumpers but will try and get some second hand ones.

Age 4 stuff sells out quickly I find.

Attach a tag for name tags that are like tiny security tags. They can be removed with no visable damage. Great for coats and other things you could put on eBay.

Stamptastic for literally stamping their name on everything! Doesn't work for dark clothes but I have it on white polo shirts, pockets inside trousers, label in jumper, inside of shoes and pumps. Bag and PE bag. Lids and bottoms of cake boxes (for the million cake sales you will be asked to bake for), water bottle etc. I stamp everything mwhah ha ha!

If you must do name tapes - my top stolen tip if you have 2 DCs. Order one tape with 'DC1 first name - surname - DC2 first name' then cut the tape accordingly.

Polo shirts get grubby and stained with pen/school dinners quite quickly. I started with 6 polo shirts and have ended up replacing 3 every term. Get a stash when they are easily available.

When trousers are looking too short but next size up are too long, send them in shorts. wait a few weeks and they will fit.

The Tu event is great as their stuff is good value to start with. It's usually mid August but last year it was a week earlier than on the money saving websites so you need to keep your eyes open. You can click and collect the popular sizes

Well I found out about ds place at 12.05 and was on the uniform site by 1am. Thought to myself "don't be ridiculous!" And went to sleep.
Spoke to his dad mid morning, he's done exactly the same thing and bought four of everything!