School uniform

[Mangomumma]

How much school uniform do you think my daughter needs when she starts reception in September? (Ignoring Covid19 & assuming a full time week)

We have the option of:
Polo shirt
Trousers / skirt / pinafore dress
Cardigan / jumper

I don't want to be washing every day but likewise don't want piles of unworn uniform!

It depends how mucky your child is. I bought two of everything and that was fine.

I would start with
3 t shirt
2 skirts or trousers
2 cardigans
My washing machine goes on daily (family of 5) I manage with this amount and I had a messy kid!

I agree with risotto4tea except in not always up to date with the laundry so I get five of each for a fresh set each day. I don'talways need every set each week but I do get to the end of the school year without needing to buy more because each one is written less and doesn't wear out so quickly.
That said my children are slow growers. My 6'+ friend with her 6'+ husband have children who would never end the school year in the same clothes they started. Mine do even if they're showing a little ankle by the end.

Might be worth holding off a bit, lots of schools are going back now in own clothes as due to covid 19 restrictions clothes all need to be clean on each day. I suspect you are going to need to wash each day still in September wether own clothes or uniform...

My Y6 has just gone back to school, and requires freshly washed clothes every day currently. That might increase the amount you heed.

Personally, in a house where we both worked FT, didnt have tumble drier, and a child who could make a mess in a clean room, we had 6 polos (they came in packs of 3), 5 trousers and 3 jumpers.

Depends how often you wash. Reception will need clean most days.

When they were bigger we had 2 bottoms and jumpers and 4 tops.

AND a a jumper/ polo or two in the next size up - these will come in eventually but can be worn if you get stuck.

3 min.. one on, one in wash, one spare. I've only ever bought one logo jumper/cardigan though.
And loads of socks. Top tip for socks... Don't get ones with different tops. Get plain.

I have always bought from M&S. they sell in packs of 3.

I buy both ds's 1 pack shorts= 3 pairs.
2x packs of shirts = 6 shirts.
One of each day plus a spare.
2 school jumpers.
Then I iron all the shirts, and jumper and shorts, at the weekend.
Then they always have a clean weeks worth.

I bought:
5 polos
2 blouses to wear with her tie
2 cardigans
2 skirts
2 pinafores
10 pairs of white socks

and a share in Vanish Gold!

My lo has 5 or 6 of everything. That means if at weekend we're super busy I don't have to worry Sunday night.

When dc were small they had 6 tops (for some annoying reason they come in packs of 3 so you either have too many or not enough). 2x trousers. 2 x shorts for summer. 2x jumpers,never bothered with logo ones. Tons of socks.
2 if pe kit, again because they come in packs of 2.

Our school has told us our children won't be in uniform until October half term at the earliest so I would possibly hold off just in case it's not needed.

As it stands we plan to get our son (also starting reception)

• Shirts in Asda. They come in packs of 2.

So we will get 3 packs of 2. So he will have 6 shirts.

• Trousers also in Asda. Packs of 2. So 3 packs. 6 pairs of trousers.

(For the price we may as well get 3 packs instead of 2, one for every day plus a spare).

• 3 jumpers for now (they must be branded and are more expensive. Plan to get another 2 at a later date so he will end up with 5).
• 2 ties.
• socks will be pack of 10 in Asda.

For PE kit I can't decide if we should get 1 pair of shorts and 1 shirt, or 2 of each so we always have a spare. (I'm leaning towards 2 of each. Or possibly 1 of each for now and get more at a later date).

We've opted for 1 fresh set every day too. Multipacks in ASDA/Sainsburys and only 1 logo'd item (cardigan) so it's not too tragic if she loses it.

Been keeping a tab using a spreadsheet, so here's my full uniform list for a reception starter...

@happymummy12345 I would only get one PE kit to start. At my daughter's school PE kit stays in school for the whole half term.

DS still has at least a year to go but I'd go for a fresh set for every day. He's at the nursery of the school he'll attend. We have polo shirts/tshirts in four colours to choose from, hoodie or normal jumper and then most likely jeans to go with that (school is independent and uniform encompasses tops and PE kit only).

My five year old boy in Reception has had 5x trousers, polo shirts and jumpers this year. One logo jumper for school photo and special occasions. This because he always comes home with marks and stains of various kinds on his clothes. Clean vest every other day, two PE shirts, two pairs PE shorts. That said, I’ve really tried to start sponging marks and stains out within reason, rather than washing, to potentially prolong the life of the clothes and reduce water consumption. So I may not buy as many sets this year. I agree about September start and the possibility of non-uniform because of Covid.

Our school said that items can only be worn once before being washed (Covid risk assessment). this will stay in place for a while, so take that into account. Covid won’t be gone come september.
Kids and teachers are very happy - no blazers and ties!

I'm planning on 5 polo shirts, 2 skirts, 2 pairs of trousers, 2 logo jumpers. If they survive they can be passed down to her little brother.

I would buy two polo shirts. One each of trousers, skirt and pinafore.
At two logo sweatshirts and a cardigan.

The trouser, skirt and pinafore because girls tend to like wearing what their new friends wear. Put her in a skirt for PE days unless it is very cold then trousers. Teach her to change from her school uniform into PE clothes and back again.Buy shoes she can put on and off herself. Encourage her to fold and put her things in her PE bag.Buy plenty of socks and leave a spare pair in PE bag. Please, please label everything and not just written in pen. It washes off and parents forget to write it back in. The teacher and TA will love you if you do all these things as it is a nightmare getting Reception children changed for PE if most of them don't know how to dress and undress themselves and sometimes by the time you get it done you have used up the allocated slot. Just imagine 30 children who can't dress themselves, walk around the classroom distributing unmarked clothing and stopping off to play with something more interesting and you have the first term of Reception.

I am a TA and sometimes work in Reception can you tell?

@NerrSnerr I know, my sons school say pe kit is to be left in school (I'm not happy about it tbh and would prefer him to bring it home so it can be washed).
I'd just like to have spare of everything in case it gets lost. Then that way I can send more in straight away instead of having to go to the uniform shop or order more online. (I volunteered in a reception class for a year so I know how easily things could go missing, even with name labels on).

My year 1 DD has:

4 polo shirts
2 pinafores
2 skirts
2 summer dresses
5 jumpers

PE kit gets left in school although if we want it sent home they will send it.

Tbh it's only now I'm glad we have so much uniform. Usually she'd wear a polo and pinafore then get the pinafore dirty so wear the same polo shirt with a skirt.

She's an incredibly slow grower so I've not actually bought her any new uniform apart from socks, tights and vests (which seem to wear out) at all since I bought her first uniform in Reception.

Definitely 5 polos and probably 5 bottoms. Splosh stain remover is great.

On this topic, when do M&S usually do their uniform sale (my DCs are older but need new stuff).

I also have a uniform checklist for my PFB DD starting school this year

I'm getting/have got:

3 pinafore dresses
2 Check dresses
A dress that is like a white top/grey skirt combo - might get 2 for PE days?
3 polo shirts
Will get 2 cardigans I think though my mum insists only 1 is needed

Then multi packs of underwear, socks, leggings, pe stuff and shoes :)

M and S currently have a uniform sale!!