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Primary education

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Starting Reception

1 reply

Clara0015 · 28/07/2023 09:24

Hi all,
My daughter is starting reception in Sept. It was a long time ago that I went to Primary so I can’t really remember what was required.
The school has provided their uniform requirements + outdoor clothes, spares, bag and water bottle.
Is there anything else she needs that I might not have considered?
I feel like this is a silly question but do I need to get equipment like pencils or does the school provide this?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
viques · 28/07/2023 14:47

No, schools will provide the equipment that she needs in school. If they are short of classroom supplies they will let you know! Most schools also provide a book bag ( some provide, some give you the opportunity to purchase!). Sending in extras like pens, pencils, little toys etc only means they will get lost and broken. The exception might be a little key ring toy on the book bag to help with identification from the other 29 book bags.

Things you can provide are items of clothing that are clearly marked with her name ( wisdom has it to mark expensive items like coats with a second name label inside a sleeve since many will have identical or similar coats) . So mark shoes, polo shirts, jumpers, cardigans, trousers, skirts, plus hats and scarves when it gets cold. Marked items are far more likely to find their way home, but learn where the lost property is stored.

Also name her water bottles, lunch boxes and snack pots if needed.

Things you can do to make her life , and the teachers life, easier,

make sure she can recognise her own name , written with a capital letter for the first letter only.
make sure she can deal with her toilet needs independently
buy shoes she can put on the correct feet and fasten independently
teach her to put on her own coat ( though don’t worry about zips and coat fastenings too much)

check her book bag for notes, most schools will send information electronically, but it is always sensible to check.

Don't overwhelm her with too many questions and after school activities, school is a busy, confusing place that takes a lot of internalising for a small person, keep after school a calm time so she has time to sort it out in her own head.

I hope she has a lovely time, and that you enjoy watching her develop skills and confidence.

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