Starting reception 2023

[PreppingForSchool]

Hi,

I thought it might be nice to have a thread for people whose children start reception in 2023 and to see whether anyone has any advice on how to prepare for it.

It's my first child starting school this year and Im wondering whether there are any skills I still need to teach him for example. He still struggles with zipping up his coat and wiping independently but we are practising that.

How much uniform do you need? Do they still take spare clothes in case of accidents? I am not super organised with washing so may need a set for every day.

I'd really enforce using cutlery independently. There's usually only one supervisor for two or three classes at any one time, despite one supervisor for each class initially, as there needs to be a supervisor outside too.

Make sure that they can read , and write their names.

Please put their names on everything!

Please don't put them in lace up shoes or trainers until they can tie their own shoelaces.
Most parents put their children in Velcro shoes but, bizarrely, supply designer /copy trainers , lace ups , for PE.

Personal plea.. please don't send your child to school wearing Ugg boots and instruct us to keep your child indoors if it rains!!! ( yes, we've had several requests !)

Oh... and please don't send your child with food that they cannot access, eg cheese strings, fruit or yoghurt pouches

How do people organize emergency childcare, in case DC is sick and cannot attend the school?
Are there any agencies that could offer an emergency childcare (DBS checked, trained childcare professionals) same day?

Ha! Dealing with that in nursery at the moment. A LOT of juggling and occasional WFH with Octonaughts on loop...

Wow, thanks so much for all of your advice! This has given me some excellent ideas of what I can prep beforehand (naming uniform etc) but also things we may want to work on with our little one.

Thank you for posting this! My twins start reception this September, however reading through this I am worried about how my boy will cope.

My girl I have no worries about, she is quite good and eager to learn how to look after herself (we are currently trying to learn how to wipe after a 'number 2'), however my boy is (I'd say at least) quite behind, and a very typical 'lazy boy' when it comes to learning new things, and he is worse when I am around - I have no idea how I am going to get him school ready when he refuses to do anything for me😕

DD started reception Sept 22.

Uniform - make sure you have enough for each day. They get very messy in reception. Make sure too that you label everything.

School shoes - Start-Rite are brilliant. shoes Still look new now after 6 months of wear. Bought a pair of Geox and they totally scuffed first day of wear so wouldn't recommend them.

WhatsApp - once announcements are made, try and find / join WhatsApp chat. We did this and used the summer holidays to introduce play dates etc.

I wouldn't worry too much about phonics before they start. Each school uses a particular scheme so can be confusing if you "teach" differently to the one the school uses.

Start reading books about starting school as that will help with the transition.

I feel that my DD is going to struggle with keeping up. She still has a nap, and gets tired out very quickly. Any advice for September?

Just came back to this thread. Again, thanks so much for everyone's advice! I honestly really appreciate it.

I will make sure to have enough uniform and name everything. Slowly getting organised with everything, and shoe shop told me the other day that you can book appointments soon for August. Crazy!

@Pinkwithwhite they still feel so little, don't they? Mine hasn't napped for a while so no advice.

This is super helpful, if feels like such a minefield!

Although our school did a tour and play session I still feel there’s lots I still don’t know.

Do I need to provide stationary, like pencils?

Will the school provide snacks and milk in the morning?

Does anyone have experience with a child who has allergies and how it’s dealt with at school?

I have a DD starting reception this september. I have another DD going into y2 and a DS going into y8.

Socks . . . . I agree with the previous poster about getting slightly different socks for each child to avoid washing mix-ups, if you have multiple children.

Other than that, in my experience the key things are:

• Chat about school in a positive way at home.

• Ensure DC can take themselves to the toilet, wipe, wash hands.

• DC knows that in reception they can go to the toilet whenever they want and they know where the toilet is.

• Ensure DC can wipe nose.

• Can put coat on. Personally, I don't worry too much about fiddly zips and buttons at this stage.

• Go for uniform that you can just pull up (elasticated waist, no zipper)

• DC happy sharing and interacting with other children and adults

• DC can listen without shouting over others constantly

• Label everything (or use Stamptastic - saves so much time)

With academic stuff, honestly all we do is read lots at home and encourage an interest in books, mark making etc. DD can write and read her own name, but that's the extent of it.

@Clara0015 you don’t need to provide pencils etc.

All infant kids get a snack in the morning. It’s usually fruit or carrots. Randomly sometimes they give them whole tomatoes. They can have milk if you sign up for the scheme. Otherwise you’ll provide a water bottle.

My son has a food allergy and they handle it very well. The catering staff all know about it and who he is. They have their pictures up in the kitchen with what allergy they have. They always make sure there is an option for him, though it does tend to be pasta most days.

Great, thanks for sharing ☺️