MUMSCAST
MUMSCLICK guide to preparing for ‘Back to School’
We know, we feel the same, it was only a couple of weeks a go that we were talking about our guide to surviving the summer holidays and we are now talking about getting ready to go back to school! The summer holidays seem to have gone by quite fast this year (maybe some light relief on MUMSCLICK has made it go by a little easier?!!).
However, having been on the ‘school run’ ourselves for quite a few years now, we know that there is a fair amount to get organised and to think about particularly if your child is starting school for the first time!! We have prepared our own MUMSCLICK guide to getting ready for going back to or starting school and would please urge that you add your own tips and advice at the bottom of the article in order to make it a really valuable yet practical guide.
School uniform
Some of you have already been chatting about buying your child’s school uniform in the café already. If you have not got it yet, make it one of your first priorities. There is always much more to it than you think, with, P E kit, art aprons, swimming costume, school badges etc. etc and this is not even including the main uniform they wear each day!
It is worth checking whether your school has a second uniform shop, whereby you can always pick heavy duty items (and more likely to be in good condition) such as coats and blazers which children usually only wear to and from school.
Check out M&S, George at Asda, BHS and Woolworths for your basics such as:
White shirts
Socks
Plimsolls
PE kit
It is not too early to go any buy school shoes and trainers rather than leave it to the last minute and risk the choices being limited.
Order your name tags now!
Invest in a permanent black marker and although it is time consuming, label everything and we mean EVERYTHING!! Children don’t understand the cost of things or indeed the responsibility of taking care of all of their school kit, esp. reception age. There is no point spending a lot of money only to find that items go missing shortly after they start school. (Label such things as school bags, pencil case, all shoes and trainers too).
Pre-school Essentials
Book a haircut a trip to the dentist and if your child is starting reception, don’t forget their pre-school booster injection. These things are more difficult to schedule in once children start school.
School Home Diary
Keep one that is separate from the main family calendar. There is always so much information from and about school for example:
Term dates
School plays
Sports day
Fun days
Parent’s evenings
Keep an eye out for notices from school that usually get placed in your child’s school bag and make sure you hand reply slips etc. in on time.
Healthy Breakfast
We cannot stress how important this is! Be firm about it and set a precedent that school morning = healthy breakfast. Save the coco pops and chocolate spreads for a weekend treat.
You cannot go wrong with a bowl of porridge and/or a boiled egg with soldiers! They need food that will sustain them and food that releases slow burning energy. Add a nice glass of fresh orange/apple or pomegranate juice and you will have set your child up with a very healthy yet sustaining start to their school day!
The rest
In terms of helping you child prepare for starting ‘big’ school, there are a wealth of great books out there that tell a story from a child’s point of view, so pop down to your local library to choose a couple to read to your child.
Make starting school an exciting time. You may well be feeling emotional about it, but children like to be regarded as big boys and girls, so let them know how proud you are of them and how much you are looking forward to it for them.
And finally for first timers when the big day arrives itself, make sure you arrange to go for a coffee after drop off either with the other new mums or a good friend. It is perfectly reasonable and understandable to feel emotional and if you shed a tear once you have dropped your child off, you won’t be the only one!!
4 comments
clare84
the joys of children in school, we had to buy the bulk last yr for dan blazer tie badge etc etc luckily this yr its just trainers shirts and a logoed pe t shirt, rugby boots later but not just yet, but still expensive!!
paula c
there's not much to add to that mumsclick!! but i would add for the first timers, don't be disappointed if your child doesn't want to talk about their school day when they come out. it's tempting to start questionning them-what did you do? who did you play with? etc. from experience, i have learnt that a simple did you have a good day suffices, then they will elaborate if they want to. Also be prepared for them to be totally exhausted and wiped out and just want to veg on the sofa when they get home! it is often during that first opportunity for quiet reflection, that they choose to share things with you about their day.
Caroline
I so agree with you Paula, less is more! It is true about them being really tired too, I always give the choice of watching TV with a snack when mine come home, just so they can wind down and gather themselves.
notnowkato
There's a great free website for buying & selling secondhand school uniform, sports kit and even musical instruments at www.blazered.co.uk
It's taken off really well within my children's school (Portsmouth Grammar School) and it's always my first point of call. Believe me, with 3 children it's saved me a small fortune! If you haven't used it before, sign up for free at the site and then let your school know about it so they can spread the word to other parents in newsletters or their web site. Schools can also register and publish uniform lists, school shop opening times etc.