My 'to buy' list.. (pic)

[angryladyboobs]

The splash suit and the wellies, the school have asked us to bring in and leave on the first day as they spend more time outside than anything else...

Is there anything I am missing? I feel like there is...

[angryladyboobs]

Thanks.

I'll defo get her eyes tested. She has fantastic long distance but short distance isn't.

Lunch box isn't needed as she will be having school lunches. She's asked just to wear skirts so I'll see how she feels closer to the time.

Did you lot buy all the stuff in one go, or buy it in bits before they start?. I'm thinking of buying all in one in August.

[RedSkyAtNight]

If you want to try physical uniform on in a shop (as opposed to ordering over the internet), bear in mind that shops will already be down to low stocks of uniform by August. Yes, makes no sense to me either.

[Rosehips]

socks/tights?

[QuiteQuietly]

Water bottle.
Short sleeved shirts instead of long sleeved (because of manky cuffs and nose wiping).
Ditch the vests - school building will be roasting.
No puddle suit - just get waterproof trousers and wear coat on top. Puddle suits are hell when they need the toilet in a hurry.

[angryladyboobs]

I'm ordering online :).

She HATES trying things on in a shop!

I'm 100% getting short sleeves as she also hates long sleeves :)

I'll add water bottle to the list - didn't even think of that!

I'll loose the vests then. She has some anyway so if it's extra cold she could just wear one of her 'home' ones.

They've asked me to get a splash suit but I'll look into the waterproof bottoms :).

Am I set now? Anything else? I could do with getting?

[Tomorrowillbeachicken]

Drinks bottle?

[Witchend]

I had (for all three)
2 cardigans or jumpers
5 shirts
2 pinafores or 2 shorts (plus two summer dresses for the girls)
2 ties.
1 of each for games kit.

I can remember perhaps two or three times over the years popping one in something a little small because both their things were dirty. I don't do washing daily. I've had that amount since reception each and now my oldest is about to leave school uniform behind when she goes on study leave.

[angryladyboobs]

@MiaowTheCat how many would you recommend?

Don't do washing daily either but I think I'll start doing more than I am now.

[angryladyboobs]

@Witchend That sounds good theoretically but I'm over cautious. Much rather have too much than not enough.

[StarCrossdSkys]

Tights. Most girls wear them everyday rather than socks.

[Zoflorabore]

Dd is in year one now and I've stuck with the formula for cardigans of " one to wear, one spare, one in the wash "

I label everything and still the cardigans go missing, it's the bane of my life!

I also put L and R in her school pumps with a black sharpie as dd would often put them on the wrong feet and the teachers don't have the time to always check.

I also bought branded polo shirts and a pack of supermarket ones.
Every time she broke up for half term etc I would throw the unbranded ones away and buy a new pack, they are extremely cheap but discolour easily.

Have a separate set of bobbles etc for school in school colours and keep them with her "school socks" we keep ours in a little basket.
Makes it so much easier of a morning to take a pair of socks out that you know are for school and a hair accessory without having to look specifically for them.

Hope that helps

[angryladyboobs]

@Zoflorabore Thank you, it really does ❤

[Tiggles]

Personally I would have a spare tie. Even at secondary DS1s kept going missing and it's a long trek to a school suppliers just for a tie.

[angryladyboobs]

@Tiggles I'm going to get two. If they go missing they are sold at the school anyways ❤. So it's not that big of a deal :).

[Didiplanthis]

I found that the reception size stuff went out of stock really quickly and a lot of shops didnt get more in. I over estimated my ds rate of growth over summer and in September his clothes still drowned him ( think polo shirt to knees ! ) and I was frantically trying to get smaller the weekend before they started and couldn't get any anywhere ! Also mine are filthy and I can never get more than one wear out of anything so I have ended up with 5 of everything in case I have a busy week and lose control of the laundry.

[BellMcEnd]

I have 3 DCs at primary school: unless your school is one of the mega irritating ones that insists on the school logo on everything (ours thankfully isn't) then I'd recommend quantity over quality (apart from shoes and winter coats).

I buy all school uniforms from the supermarket. I can't believe how filthy my lot are when I go to pick them up! I really don't mind, it's a fantastic school and they're so happy there but it's great to know that I don't have to get stuff washed and dried by the next morning - especially in the winter.

[BrieAndChilli]

Cheap hat gloves and scarf set (they are likely to go missing so I wouldn't spend loads)
Spare pair of sports socks for PE bag for the days they wear tights to school and it's PE day.

[MidniteScribbler]

Make sure she can put her shoes on and off. Don't send her with laces unless she can tie them herself, buy Velcro. It's an absolute pain in the butt to have to do up 100 pairs of laces everyday because parents send them in with shoes they can't tie up themselves.

[Caroian]

Lots of good advice here already.

Lots of places have discounts on uniform in around July time - Marks and Spencers is one, Sainsburys another. I think it is worth trying to look at the uniform in different shops too, before deciding where to buy, as it does vary. I looked at shorts in several shops and in some the material felt really strange or even unpleasant.

It's worth waiting until those discounts crop up to order. But don't leave it too late as smaller sizes do seem to sell out. If you choose to buy slightly bigger for your child to "grown in to" over the summer, I'd advise buying at least a full set of uniform in the size they currently are too and keeping the labels on and the receipt. If the growth doesn't materialise, at least you have something than fits. If it does, you can always return it.

I buy gloves from poundland, or the 99p ones on Amazon.