Shoe lace alternatives - Reception

[drspouse]

DD has a perfect pair of patent Kickers to start school in Sept but they have laces.
They wear PE kit all day on PE day so I just need them to stay tied rather than be easy to tie IYSWIM.
All the ones online seem to be for older children and I'd prefer ones we can tighten rather than fully slip on if that makes sense.
Thanks!

School PE involves gymnastics, dance etc in bare feet. DD needs to be able to put her own shoes on and off without adult help.

When ds were in reception they would take their trainers off for dance, gymnastics etc so needed to put them on and off- so make sure they don't have laces and she can do them.

As for the rest of the week- just double tie them?

Swop the normal laces for bungee laces?

If you search amazon for no tie shoelaces there’s a few different choices. When DD was little I got the rubber ones you push through the lace holes for her jazz shoes so she could easily change at dance lessons without my help.

I have [https://www.amazon.co.uk/GWHOLE-Pairs-Elastic-Running-Triathlon/dp/B0140X8482/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1527420787&sr=8-10&keywords=Elastic+laces these] on my walking boots and they are amazing. You can cut them to length so should be OK for kids shoes.

Meh. Link still works though!

I see you already have the kickers, but it might be handy for other people to
Know that M&S do black patent kicker type boots for school with laces and a side zip. They are terrific boots, and have put up with all sorts of teee climbing avd foitbslkibg abuse from dd.

They wear trainers all day on PE day as I have said and those have Velcro.
What/where/what size bungee laces?
All my searches seem to come up with "children from 8 years".
I'll check those out Soup

Ah yes I'd seen those but didn't know you could cut them so thought they were only good for adults. Look very helpful thanks.

I think it depends on the lace - these have a removeable end toggle so you can cut them. If that end toggle is fixed, you can’t. You might want to seal the ends by melting them with a candle to stop any fraying.

What about all the other times they have to take their shoes off?

I used to have curly laces that were good.

What about all the other times they have to take their shoes off?
I'm pretty sure they don't but if they have a toggle she'll be fine.

The laces I have turned my boots into slip ons. I’ve had them since November and I think I’ve had to tighten them about 3 times since then.

They will be asked to take their shoes off at various times that you'd have no idea about - maths measuring feet, trip to the hall for some reason, random yoga session. All children should really be able to take any shoes that they wear to school off and on without assistance. (Speaking as a teacher who's taught in EYFS)

Hmm I don't really want slip ons as I tend to think they are too loose or too tight. I think I need something she can tighten herself.

How long will they be wearing PE kit all day? At some point the school will require them to be able to get themselves undressed and dressed.

And what about after school sports clubs?
What about when her shoes get wet/she needs to swap in/out of wellies to play outside?
What about when the DC decide to play some random game which involves everyone taking off their shoes (yes, this really does happen)
What about when it's not PE day, but the teacher decides to run an activity that needs bare feet in the hall?

I think it's a really bad idea to send a Reception child to school in shoes they can't take on and off independently.

Not what you were asking but I'd advise teaching her to tie shoelaces sooner rather than later. I didn't and currently own an almost 12 year old who's attempts at tying laces is painful to watch.

How long will they be wearing PE kit all day?
Until the end of Y6.
Did you read my last post?

Yes I did read your last post (and I've just read it again) but it didn't mention anything about wearing PE kit until Year 6 (really?), and you said you wanted something she could tighten herself. Tightening laces that have become a bit loose is vastly different from loosening the laces enough to take off the shoes, taking off the shoes, putting them on again some time later and working out how to tighten them again when the toggle or whatever is not sitting perfectly. Why would you not just get slip-ons or shoes with velcro straps in the first place?

May is early to buy school shoes for September as she might grow out of them by then.

Most reception children wear school shoes with a Velcro strap.

Exchange them for a pair with buckles? Or Velcro... my kids (age 6 and 10) have to take shoes off for assembly everyday, for maths occasionally, for mindfulness (randomly) my daughter often comes home with them on the wrong feet.

God knows what would happen if she had laces to deal with too

My 10 year olds laces are horrid and manky at the ends where she doesn't bother to tie them just run around with them left out

I would say that 99% of school shoes /school plimsoles /school trainers I see for sale are velcro ones. Just get those.

She has these, they fit with plenty of room, obviously I'm going to try them again in August, but unless I get the M&S patent ones (thanks for the tip) I don't want to spend £50+ on another pair if I can use a pair we own.
Not getting open shoes and there's very little choice locally. They can't wear daps and they are rubbish in the wet etc anyway.
She'll mainly wear trousers but I don't think she'll want to wear the usual "boy" style with a skirt when she does wear one.