Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Wondered if hand holding for Sept newbies would be nice?

990 replies

treedelivery · 19/06/2009 16:50

Just that really. Like an antenatal thread but for parents of children starting primary in Sept.

We have our taster afternoon in a couple of weeks - it all feels so alien. Haven't felt this out of it since I bought my 1st pack of nappies and got the giggles at the checkout!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
blametheparents · 26/06/2009 21:09

Def label shoes, they are one of the worst things to go missing.

When DS was in Reception 2 boys ended up swapping shoes (same design) but they were 1.5 difference in size!

pigswithfludontfly · 26/06/2009 21:11

Just ordered taggits and name tapes....you lot should be on commission from that site.

Got some shoes for ds (not school shoes as I think it's too early) today. I had his feet measured on Wednesday in John Lewis and was told they are a 9G. In Clarks today I was told he is an 8.5E erm a bit different on the width there....

Anyway got a bargain pair of suede trainer/ shoe hybrids from Clarks for him....they were the only pair in his size of the sort of shoes I like and when I asked her the price was expecting the usual £30 but they were all of £8!! Bargain!

Have got ds's school shirts and they look so uncomfy for him (they've proper collars - not polo shirts)

treedelivery · 26/06/2009 21:16

Agree the shirts/blouses look so so uncomfortable. The fabric is so stiff, cuffs are huge and the buttons crap.

There is money to be made in the 'comfy college clothes' enterprise! Lovely soft stretchy blouses and magnet closure with faux buttons for the tiny people.......

OP posts:
pigswithfludontfly · 26/06/2009 21:18

I wonder if they'll soften after a wash?

treedelivery · 26/06/2009 21:21

I hope so. They stand up on their own at the moment. I got 100% cotton so they are going to nanas to be a pig to iron.

OP posts:
pigswithfludontfly · 26/06/2009 23:23

Hmmm ds's new school has a number of suspected cases of swine flu....he's going for another settling in session on Tuesday.

Still I think it seems to be taking hold locally so will no doubt appear via nursery soon too anyway. Oh joy!

Lulumama · 27/06/2009 09:58

thank you for the welcome.

DD will be 4 years and 5 weeks when she starts school.

she will be fine, i am going to be a wreck !!

DS will be going into year 5, so i am not a school novice

fruitful · 27/06/2009 10:15

Hello. Those Boden coats are gorgeous but I think I'll be off to Asda for dd's!

I've just bought ds1 some school shorts in preparation for the heatwave that usually hits as soon as they go back to school. Given that he is seriously skinny and the shorts all seem to be long at the moment (nearly knee-length ones) I think they'll probably last him years. I'll just let the elastic buttons out one hole each year and by y4 he'll have short shorts . All his other shorts are 12-18mo - I have a shared shorts pile for ds1 (4.4) and ds2 (18mo). And dd (7.1) can get into them too!

I have an ironing/labelling frenzy every August. Anything that needs relabelling or new labels in the year gets the laundry pen on the label. Mothercare (and other places too I should think) sell "Laundry Pens" - pens that write well on pale fabric and don't wash off quickly. Just don't leave it lying around.

A tip if your dc needs black indoor plimsolls. You can buy fabric paint pens and draw picture on the tops (a simple flower or car) so your dc can find their own shoes quickly.

treedelivery · 27/06/2009 17:04

Pigs - Wow on the swine flu. It's generally very mild isn't it? I thought I had it last week turned out just be a common or garden virus as I had no cough.

fruitful - I have one of those pens for playschool hats. They are very useful aren't they. Especially for when the novelty wears off of sewing labels on. That should take 2 blouses then.....

Fab idea on the plimsolls! I like.

Lulumama - how old is year 5? I can't get my head around it at all. I think of 5th year - that's GCSE year to me. Going to have to get up to date.

OP posts:
Lulumama · 27/06/2009 17:06

erm, year 5, well DS is going to be 10 just after he goes back.. then year 6.,then secondary. so almost the end of juniors.

still confuses me ....

i nearly wept when DD tried on her pinafore.

i am going to be a complete wreck , i know it

simpson · 27/06/2009 18:30

fruitful - I got DS some shorts today too. Have probably jinxed it and there will be no heat wave now

Still got to get socks & PE T shirt. Then all done.

Has everyone got start date for their Dcs yet?

Have not heard anything here

treedelivery · 27/06/2009 18:39

No idea simpson. Sept sometime I guess.....

Really looking forward to the induction afternoon now, we need to start planning really. When I'm back to work I'll really really need to know, as I have to request days off well in advance and book annual leave etc. It's one of the things I am stressed about tbh.

Had preschool summer fayre today [in thick fog - flaming June indeed] Was a bit glum at thought its the last - then remembered I was carrying a baby who would grow up to be a preschooler.

OP posts:
Lulumama · 27/06/2009 18:46

DD starts 10th september. staggered intake. non school nursery children start the week before. she has two morning sessions in reception, one next week , one early july we can attend too

simpson · 27/06/2009 18:54

see, haven't been told any dates or whether DS does a trial day first or anything

It is the school that his nursery is attached to and the teacher has taken them to the new classroom a few times.

Teachers at his nursery are fab though and say we are having a meeting soon (all the parents, not just me ) to go through everything, but no date yet...

blametheparents · 27/06/2009 18:55

Took DD to the summer fair for her new school today. She had a lovely time, got her face painted, ate too much haribo and bounced herself silly on the bouncy castles.
Hopefully she won't be expecting that every week.
She also spoke to the Headteacher, though I would prefer it if she were anonymous to the HT for a bit longer - lol!

Lulumama · 27/06/2009 18:56

i should thikn that you will find out everything at the meeting.

the teacher DD has was DSs teacher in year 1,she is absolutely lovely, and DD was 5 weeks old when DS started in her class... she said she was so thrilled to see DDs name on her class list and could not believe she was ready for school !

eandh · 27/06/2009 18:58

Hi back from holiday (last one out of school holidays!!) been trying to catch up but will update details on register I do love a list!

eandh - dd1 will be starting reception on her 5th birthday (which she is very excited about!) appears confident (ie is loud and opinated) however can be very insecure and is a real worrier and has some hearing issues so am slightly worried about that! Knows most of the alphabet and can write things if I spell them for her, absolute no interest in reading writing is actually quite neat howveer cannot grasp what is a number and what is a letter. Thankfully no toilet issues and not too fussy so l,unches should be fine. However major issue is I want to cut a few inches off her hair as its so long and she is not having any of it at the moment! Can dress okay

Acinonyx has one dd will be 4.1 starting school. Major toilet issues and very shy. Draws well, writes, counts and does some very simple sums but no reading.

Babbity has DS who will be 4.10. Can do dressing, eating and toileting. Knows alphabet and loves numbers/ sums/ "science" but not interested in writing, holding pencil, or anything creative. Bum wiping adequate.

blametheparents has a DD who will be 4.6. Recognises letters and is trying to work out sounds in words, but cannot read. Can do simple adding and taking away sums. Desperate to start school with her big brother, keep reminding her she will not be in his class. Some toilet issues, she has been prescribed movicol now which is helping loads, but need to keep a close eye on her diet.

DwayneDibbley has DD who will be 4.2 on first day. Can do buttons, and get dressed, eats like a horse, knows alphabet, numbers, simple sums, can read (well, spells out words phonically and then says what word is, and just beginning to know whole words by sight iyswim?). no inclination to write at all. Good bum wiper, but cannot blow nose. Is terrible telltale, and huge perceiver of non-existent injustices, the constant communication of which, I fear, will make her unpopular with teachers.

Fruitful has DS1 who will be 4.7, starting full-time the second week. Can just about write his name, can mostly get dressed except for jumpers for some reason, can't wipe his bum but has completely mastered the art of only ever pooing at home

golgi has son 4.8 on first day. Can do numbers, letters, read some words. Will not pick up pen or pencil or dress himself. Still has a nap after lunch if given half a chance.

LadyIsabella has DS1, 4.9. Having a massive testosterone surge at the moment, very curious about most things (esp. space, science etc) but not at all patient (drawings take 1 min etc). Refuses to wipe his bottom unless bribed with stickers etc.

norksinmywaistband has dd 4.9 on first day, very keen to start. Knows her numbers and letters, and write her own name - in a fashion. She has poo issues and I am worried about tantrums toward end of day as she gets very stroppy when tired

pigswithflu - one ds (4.2) on first day. Improving with own dressing but often all wrong way round. Can read whole sentences (proud mummy alert), good at maths but barely writes something akin to name.
Buttons and bum wiping on to do list for summer hols.

Pinktulips has one dd (4.7) starting in sept. toilet issues, chronic shyness and hates letters and counting. has master bum wiping but buttons still a tricky one. she's great at drawing and things involving fine motor skills though (puzzles and crafty things)

Swissmiss has DS who will be 4.8 on first day. Not really interested in the academic stuff, much prefers to be making stuff. Can dress / wipe bottom but prefers not so it is the source of many a frustation on both our parts. Like Wheelybug's dd he talks a lot and will spend most of his time being told to talk less and listen more.

teafortwo has one dd will be 3.4 on first day. This is the age all children start school in Paris (where milk and tea live). Butterflies are us - but in a good way !

treedelivery has dd1 age 4.10 on 1st day. Does own dressing and academic stuff. Does not do bowel control, eating or relaxing. Todays 'Mamma worries' score 6/10

Wheelybug has dd who will be 4.7. Beginning to read and does other academic stuff hanks to a good pre-school but talks far too much so will probably spent most of her time being told to talk less and listen more.

Wolfnipplechips dd is 4.7 in sept, can dress herself, wipebum and write names. Loves drawing, craftyness and ballet. Is left handed so struggles a bit with letter formation. Is a scruffy child and her dm and db are going to miss her terribly

Babygeog will be 4.11, he is ready academically ,starting to read, obsessed with numbers but like many on here reluctant to write, in other ways he is a baby, he is number 3 and likes to play the fool. He has to wear a shirt and is clueless on buttons. Not really sure what i'll do in September...

simpson has DS who will be 4.0 on 1st day of school. He can feed, dress and has no toilet problems. he can count, knows most letters and is starting to read some words. He also draws & holds pencil well but no writing yet. Main worry is tiredness as he gets very tired just doing half days at preschool.

MarshaBrady · 27/06/2009 19:06

Ooh can I add ds.
Ds 4.5 in September, loves counting, really wants to write, knows alphabet, and can wipe and do loo stuff fine. Has a baby brother or sister due in Dec so mother, I mean me of course, is not too sad about him starting.

And I bought uniform size 5 to 6, need to get more 4 to 5 as all too big.

simpson · 27/06/2009 19:20

MarshaBrady - just checked DS's uniform (have got age 4 trousers) and they are slightly on the big side so may need age 3 to start with.

Lets hope he grows lots over the summer

MarshaBrady · 27/06/2009 19:30

I know tis big, was so used to buying Danish type clothing in sizes as big as 6 to 7. Only got one of each item to test it out so might keep it all anyway for future. Size 3 trousers would probably fit ds too as they are huge.

FatGirlThin · 27/06/2009 19:38
LtEveDallas · 27/06/2009 20:08

My DD starts this Sep, she will be 4.6 and seems ready. No toilet probs (except she hates wearing knickers and tends to leave them off when she's finished!). She knows her letters, numbers, simple maths etc but hates using a knife and fork and at present still has an afternoon nap - gonna have to drop this one.

Everything is going horribly wrong this end mind. We are moving to Oxford at end of Aug. Found out Fri that DD hasnt got in to our first or second choice schools (first was only 300m from house). Its all in the hands of the council now, but have no idea what the other poss schools are like AND they are all 4-5 miles from home

Uniform is going to be a nightmare. We are overseas at the mo so will have to do shop online (but only if they will post to a BFPO), all four schools have diff colour sweatshirts etc and wont accept orders by post - only ones handed in before end of term...I cant get back before Aug (so cant go to any meetings etc) and there is a good chance I'm not going to know where she will be going till then.

Two of the schools have black skirts / white polo shirts.
One has grey / yellow
Other has navy / blue.
Sweatshirts are Red / Navy Blue / Bottle Green / Burgundy. Aaaarrrrgghhhh

(Cant even buy a school coat because one of the specifies coats MUST be plain Navy Blue and sods law says thats the school she'll get into if I go and buy anything else)

The way things are going we will be flying on Sun, staying in hotel Monday, getting keys to house Tuesday, Removals turn up Wed, DD starts school Thu! Really, really not looking fwd to it (and actually might keep her off till the next Mon, cannot see the point is killing myself to get everything ready by Thu).

But thanks to this thread I have:

Bought the Start-Rite foot guage
Bookmarked Shoesforkids ready for Aug
Bought tapes and stickers from Cashes
Bought Taggits

simpson · 27/06/2009 20:32

LtEveDallas - And I thought I had lots to do!!

shoesforkids is fab I buy all of DS's shoes from there.

Like the name BTW I take it they are your fav books?

treedelivery · 27/06/2009 20:42

LtEveDallas - ooer!! Marks let you return within 3 months - so you could buy a uniform in every flavour?

OP posts:
LtEveDallas · 27/06/2009 20:49

Yep. Dont like 'Norah Roberts' but love JD Robb. Eve Dallas is just fab, she's the person I would love to be (without the abusive father that needed stabbing, absent mother, homicial urges etc ) and ohhhhh what I would do for (with) a Rourke

I am even stressing about getting stressed (in case DD picks up on it). Once I know what school I will be able to get on with it, but the admissions teams were, shall we say, on the bloody useless side of helpful - kept telling me I should have applied earlier.....well hell, I didn't know I was moving until May and didnt know where I was going to be living till last week.... I'm gutted she wont be in the local school and to cap it all I have only realised tonight that we are going to have to buy another car now when we get back to UK because I'm working 5 miles in the opposite direction..... double aaaarrrrrghhhh!

Swipe left for the next trending thread