It might seem like only five minutes since you were strapping your precious bundle into her car seat for the first time to make the journey from hospital to home, but now the time’s come for her to start school. From childcare arrangements, to the big school uniform shop, to the emotional aspects of your baby starting school, there’s a lot to think about!
Work and School
Many parents aim to return to work when their child starts school, but without the all-day, all-year-round option of nursery, maintaining a job with a school-age child can be tricky. If you’re lucky, your school will offer a breakfast and after school club, but if not make sure you contact other local clubs or childminders as soon as possible as they get booked up very quickly. Also, don’t forget that in the early days, many schools ease the new starters in with a few weeks of early finishes.
What Will They Be Doing?
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, the emphasis is very much on learning through play. Your child will take her first steps towards reading by learning phonic sounds and by the end of the year she should be able to count to 20. But at this stage it’s important not to get too hung up on the academic stuff. The reception year is very much about personal and social development and learning communication and language skills to help her settle as a happy, well-behaved pupil.
School Uniform
If you’ve never done it before, buying everything on the list for school can seem daunting. Simplify things by heading to the school uniform shop at George to get everything you need under one roof. These days, great quality school uniform is widely available at great prices so you can stock up so that you don’t end up desperately searching for a clean cardigan early in the morning. Pinafores, gingham dresses and white blouses with subtle girly embroidery are a great choice for reception girls. When it comes to boys, get some shorts as well as trousers for late summer sunshine and remember you can never have too many sweatshirts! Also, as any mum of boys will tell you, go for your school’s colour when it comes to his polo shirt instead of white if you want a fighting chance of getting more than one day’s wear out of it before it goes back in the wash.
Feelings
Your little one will probably take to school life like a duck to water. If you pick up on any problems though, don’t hesitate to speak to your child’s teacher – that’s what they’re there for! As for you, make sure you take a tissue for that first drop off – you’ll soon get used to the new routine but it’s perfectly normal to shed a tear or two on day one!
Now you’re all prepared for starting school, all that’s left is to check the camera is charged for those all-important first day at school photos.
in collaboration with George at ASDA
Very informative post! It’s scary when they start school, just how much you have to organise. x