Two Questions About School Uniform.

[happymummy12345]

Sorry if this isn't the best time to ask this question. But my husband and I intend to make a list of what we need to buy and roughly how much it will cost now, so we can be putting money away (things were tight before and even tighter now, so want to start now so we will have the money ready when the time comes).
We have the uniform list from when we went to the open day, so know exactly what we need, and will allow for anything extra we find out about later.
Two questions: 1 my son will have to wear proper shirts (polo shirts are not allowed at all). I've seen ones that have Velcro strips and mock buttons. Would these be better to start with? We will be encouraging him to learn to do buttons, and will see how he is doing nearer the time, but realise he may struggle at first (he has some delays with development as well). Or have people found children tend to pick up doing buttons pretty quick, especially when they actually start?
2: the question Im hoping you can help with more. PE footwear. Uniform policy says trainers or plimsolls for outdoor PE. (Indoor is barefoot). What do you recommend/ this is best, trainers (non lace up obviously) or plimsolls? I'm leaning more towards trainers as I feel they offer more support, but have no idea which is best or preferred.
We will ask the school when we can and see if they have any preference with regards pe footwear and the shirts. But keen to know other people's opinions and experiences, as we want to be as organised as possible and know what we will be getting.
Thank you.

Shirts with Velcro at the top are easier button wise and more comfortable for their necks (less restrictive!). I'd got for ease of dressing at this age, not just for mornings but also get changed for PE.

Footwear, I'd go for trainers. More support, waterproof and more useful if he wants to wear them at the weekend/for other sports.

If the school allows those velcro shirts then go for them. Sounds much more sensible than buttons. As for plimsolls. The ones that do up with velcro are easier to get on and off than the ones with the elastic bit. Obviously things are a bit different with covid but school PTAs usually do secondhand uniform sales. I recommend contacting the current PTA members (via the school or facebook) to see if any sales will happen nearer September. Often they take place at school summer fairs but obviously they won't be happening this year but the PTA might find a way of selling in August. You can save a lot of money buying secondhand.

PE kits usually live at school all term so if you go for trainers instead of plimsolls then you will need an 'at school pair' plus an 'at home pair'. Plimsolls are good because they are cheap (often 2 pairs for £5) and they often end up being worn almost 'communally' by the kids. They don't care which pair of plimsolls are theirs!!

Ger cheap trainers for school, but beware PE kits generally only come home in holidays.
Our school uniform list sats “plain unbranded trainers”, which I agree is sensible because then you wasn’t be too upset if your child loses one/both. I usually get them from Supermarkets, M&S and Diechmann .

Thanks for the replies. I will check with the school nearer the time about Velcro shirts. As for footwear I'm still conflicted. May have a chat to the school about that as well.

He will have separate trainers for outside school anyway. It's just deciding if trainers or plimsoles are better for school.

If your child can't tie their own laces get them velcro shoes trainers until they are able to.

The question is not about Velcro shoes or not. I obviously know Velcro are best. The question is PE footwear, are trainers or plimsoles better? Obviously with Velcro fastenings regardless of what we choose.

Trainers definitely, plimsoles offer little to no support and could cause arch problems down the line.

If your DS has developmental delay it would be a Reasonable Adjustment for the school to allow him to wear the shirts with Velcro, even if their general rule is buttons, so go for that so he can be more independent. Check also that he can manage the top button or clip of school trousers, even when he is desperate for the toilet.

If you feel he needs the extra support of trainers go for them, otherwise do you know any parents of current pupils to ask? Mostly Reception children here wear plimsolls, but that may not be the case everywhere. Fix half a sticker in each plimsoll so they are easy for him to learn to put them on the right feet, and practices before term begins.

The shirts look like proper buttons so you'd never tell. Think they are a fantastic idea for younger children tbh.
As for trousers I will be getting ones without any button or clasp, they are completely pull on with an elasticated waist, so again much easier for younger ones.
I don't know anyone who has a child there to ask. Will ask the school if there is a preference though. I feel trainers would offer more support in general, wouldn't say he needs the extra support though. And he knows which shoe is for each foot no problem anyway

They won't be doing much major 'sport' in PE in Reception. It's a lot of jumping in and out of hula hoops and throwing mini beanbags really. In the average week he will probably only wear the plimsolls for about 30 minutes so you don't need to worry about it too much.

You sound very sensible. I’d not bother asking the school, just get the Velcro shirts and elastic aged pants. His teacher will thank you for it on pe days!!

Have a look on George or Marks and Spencer website for clothing prices, so you can price up.

Personally I would be fine with plimsolls for PE in primary. Trainers in secondary.

It's the pe footwear I'm asking about mostly. Which is better. But I will be getting elastic waist trousers 100% until he is a bit older. Shirts will have to wait and see how he copes with buttons. Was thinking perhaps others may have the same, shirts with Velcro.

What a ridiculous uniform for primary. Is it really button up shirts? My children have been to three primary schools and all three of them had a far easier reception uniform. I know I’m not answering your question but honestly, schools should not be insisting on such nonsense for small children.

You might want to think about wellies and waterproof trousers. My boys always had forest school. I’d go for trainers over plimsolls any day.

I would recommend seeking out short sleeve shirts as buttoned cuffs get very mucky and can be hard to get on and off.

I disagree and think it's very smart. It's proper trousers proper shirt tie and jumper. I love the uniform.

I'd just get normal button up shirts. The velcro ones are a lot more expensive. I do the top button in the mornings as my kids can't manage it til about p3.

It may be smart but it's impractical. You yourself are planning to get "cheat" versions as you know (in common with many Reception children) that your child won't be able to manage buttons and fastenings. A lot of Reception involves messy play as well - it's going to get grubby very quickly. A practical uniform is more important than a smart one at this age!

In response to your footwear question, I'd agree that trainers are more supportive than plimsolls and would prefer those.

If you don't know anyone with children at the school try a local Facebook group - ours are currently full of parents asking about local schools.

It looks sweet, but it is less practical and less comfortable than is optimum for very young children. Practicality and comfort should take precedence over how something looks imo.

Mine has plimsoles for pe in reception and year 1 as this is what the school asked for. As others have said they generally aren't worn a lot so support isn't an issue. Re the shirts DD1 was youngest in the class and wouldn't of managed shirt buttons as they tend to be a bit stiffer, luckily she could wear polos which she learned to do the buttons quite quickly.

I would get plimsolls as they are cheap, so if he loses them or outgrows then they're easy to replace. They don't do proper PE in reception, just a bit of jumping, balancing, catching, just playing really. Also most of the year PE will be indoors due to weather. My DS didn't start outdoor PE until summer term. And at our school it's only once a week.

Thank you for all the helpful replies.
I spent a year doing a work placement in a reception class and I remember some of what they do. Just wanted a parents perspective on it.
But @Llareggub, RedSkyAtNight and NuffSaidSam my questions were what I asked, about shirts and pe footwear, I did not ask for opinions on the uniform itself. Your answers are not relevant at all.

Also @RedSkyAtNight the trousers are not a cheat option at all. The reason for them is the waists of non elastic bottoms are too big for my son and would therefore fall down. For this reason we always try to get bottoms that's are elastic at the waist or that have a drawstring. It has nothing to do with the actual fastening.
The Velcro shirts possibly yes, only if he hasn't learnt to do buttons by the time he starts school.
I find your comment a bit rude and you're making incorrect assumptions about why I'm buying certain things, which I never even mentioned originally. Also as I said previously this part of your comment is not helpful or necessary at all.