Starting primary school comes with a surprisingly long list of questions. What uniform do they need? How many polo shirts should you buy? What do they need to take with them? And does everything need the school logo?
Don't panic. We've put together a simple checklist to help you get ready for that all-important first day.
Start with your school
First things first, check your school's website. You'll often find lots of useful information there, including the school's uniform policy, lunch information, newsletters and FAQs.
If your school doesn't have a website, you may have received a new starter or welcome pack containing everything you need to know.
Every school is different, so always check their requirements before starting your shopping.
Not sure what your school requires? Use our Find My School page to find your school's dedicated uniform page and see the garments available.
Your primary school uniform checklist
Uniform requirements vary from school to school, but typically you may need:
- Polo shirts or shirts
- Sweatshirts or cardigans
- Trousers, shorts, skirts or pinafores
- PE tops
- PE shorts or skorts
- School shoes
- Coat
- School or book bag
Before buying anything, check which items need the school logo. Some schools require particular garments to be branded, while others allow a mixture of logoed and plain uniform.
Got the uniform? LABEL IT!
One of the biggest frustrations for parents is sending their child to school in a sweatshirt and somehow having them come home without it, or wearing somebody else's.
This is where your new best friend comes in: the name label.
If it leaves the house and goes to school, label it.
Coat? Label it.
Sweatshirt? Label it.
Polo shirt? Label it.
PE kit? Definitely label it.
Because apparently every Reception classroom contains a mysterious black hole specifically designed to consume unnamed cardigans.
A few things that are easily forgotten
Depending on your school's requirements, it's also worth thinking about:
- Water bottle
- Spare socks or tights
- Sun hat
- Name labels
- Waterproof coat
- PE bag
Not every child will need everything on this list, so check what your school asks children to bring.
How much school uniform do you actually need?
There's no magic number. A lot depends on how often you normally do a wash during the week and how messy your little one tends to get!
As a starting point, many parents might choose around three polo shirts and two sweatshirts or cardigans. That gives you enough to get through several school days while still having something clean if you're doing a midweek wash.
It's always useful to have a spare or two as well. Reception has an impressive ability to introduce yoghurt, paint and unidentified playground substances to a perfectly clean polo shirt before lunchtime.
Not sure which size to order? Children's uniform sizing can vary between garments, so check our Size Guide before ordering to help you find the best fit.
When choosing uniform, it's also worth thinking beyond the initial price. Garments that wash well and stand up to everyday school life can offer better value over time, particularly for pieces they'll be wearing several times a week.
Ready for the first day
Starting primary school is a big milestone for children and parents, and it's completely normal to wonder whether you've remembered everything.
Start with your school's own requirements, use your checklist and don't worry about having absolutely everything figured out from day one.
And remember the golden rule: label everything!
You've got this.
Find your child's school and see the uniform and PE kit available to order.