What did you pack in your 4yo's book bag??

[Mamioftwo]

Hey my oldest starts reception next week, and I'm curious what all items you put in their book bag?? Other than a pencil etc.. what else do they need?

Thanks a mil xx

No pencil required!

Just a pair of spare pants and the forms to hand in at school

Nothing!

Oh really? Okay that's good to know.. thanks x

On the first day - just a water bottle.
When the dc started full time -fruit snack
Books started coming home after a few days.
Letters largely dealt with by email
School had plenty of spare socks and pants (but these rarely come back, please donate outgrown ones to school)

No need for stationary school will provide it. These first few days other than a water bottle my DS has taken an empty bag. But as come home with some bits of paper information in it I.e. his SewSaw login.

Next we he'll get his reading book/diary to take back and forth. Really it's just away of school making sure messages get home and they will get checked during the day if you want to send any messages in.

We had a letter detailing what to bring:
Whiteboard pen, plastic wallet, pritt stick, painting apron. DS also took a water bottle and snack.

My teacher friends have been amazed that we have to provide basic stationary so obviously not the norm.

If you've not had a letter, stick to the water & snack!

Nothing.

It will come home with a reading record at some point, and books to read, and letters and invitations. Check it regularly.

We used to put bookbag in rucksack so DDs could carry their own rucksack containing bookbag, water bottle, and occasional packed lunch.

Just a water bottle.

In England reception and ks1 children get free fruit so no need for a snack. Our school also provide water bottles and all pencils etc so our book bags are empty until my ds fill them with weird and wonderful things they have collected or made and the school puts in reading books, etc

As others have said nothing. If a snack is required you will be told if not don't send anything. Don't send stationary it'll just get lost and isn't needed anyway.

Just a water bottle, nothing else needed

Nothing unless you've been asked to provide specific items. We don't allow drinks bottles in reception or KS1 so it's worth checking.

Spare pants and a sandwich in case he doesn't like the school lunch

Spare pants, tissues, cereal bar, water bottle.

1st day - spare pants
Subsequent days - reading book, Home school book, reading record, homework sheets.
School provided pencils & water bottles which stayed in school.

We were asked to send in a water bottle and an apron (to be left in school) for doing craft activities.

DC’s school provides all stationary in the infant school, and provides a snack for the Reception children.

School send home reading books, other homework, letters etc in the book bag so check inside it each evening.

Don't put the water bottle actually in the book bag!!

Sorry for being dumb redsky but why?
It's just an empty bottle that they fill at school.

Nowt really - ours have to take in a small flannel to use instead of paper towels after washing hands which goes in on Monday and comes back on Friday for washing, water bottle and that's it - until you get reading books and reading diaries and they start coming home with 900 bits of paper and drawings that they've done at school or have done at home to take in and give to friends.

We’re asked to send the water bottle in already filled with water.

We did have one incident where the lid wasn’t on properly and the reading book drowned

Nothing. School provides a snack and stationery. Shes a week into reception now and has her reading book and reading diary.

Well if the bottle is empty then by all means put it in the book bag. My DC have been to schools where there was always a crush round the water fountains so it was better to bring your own water. and not something I can imagine a Reception child finding that easy to do. Plus the bottle might not be empty by the time your child comes home and if your child thinks it should go in the book bag they are likely to put it there.

I guess one for OP , find out if you should fill the water bottle at home?

stationery
stationery

As a EYFS teacher, honestly nothing!

No pencils or anything, please no toys!!!

A water bottle yes, but don't put it in the book bag carry it separately.

Maybe a change of clothes and pants if they are prone to accidents.

But more than anything just remember to empty the bag every day! Or it gets ridiculous with the amount of things that are in there!!!