Reception Year Tips: The Back-to-School Survival Guide for Parents

Starting school feels massive, doesn’t it? Your little one heading off to Reception Year can leave you feeling just as wobbly as they do. The good news? You’re absolutely not alone in this, and we’ve got some brilliant Reception Year tips to help make those first few months much smoother for everyone.

Those early weeks of Reception can feel like you’re all learning a completely new language. One minute you’re deciphering reading levels, the next you’re wondering why your child’s suddenly obsessed with the class hamster. Take a deep breath – it really will click into place, and these back to school tips will help you feel much more confident about what’s coming.

Here are our Back to School Top Tips to Help Parents Survive Reception School Days….

Getting Ready for Day One

Day One’ is exciting and nerve wracking in equal measures, and things might flash by too quick so be sure to take loads of photos and talk about the day loads beforehand with your little one to try and help ease any nerves.
Be there for your little one during their First Day – Put a little surprise in their school bag or lunchbox, it will act like a little comforter that they will find during the day and be reassured they are doing good and your there for them.
Your routine will probably need to change now your child is at big school, so think ahead and try and work out what those changes maybe and change them as soon as you can, so you can get into a new routine quickly.

Those First Few Weeks

It can be a little intimidating o day one at school, when you see other parents with older kids who already know what to do, remember they had a first day too!. Go with your gut with things that are right for you and your child rather than just doing what everyone else is doing
Chances are your little one will be exhausted as they adjust to a full day at school, so go easy on them when they come home, maybe think ahead and prepare a snack and drink for them as they come home to re energise them.
Breakfast and after school clubs are brilliant but take a bit of getting used to as they are not as cuddly as nursery or pre-school, so be sure it’s something your little one eases into.

Making Mornings Work

Time goes way quicker in the morning, so be sure to allow extra time than you think you will need, or better still just get into the routine of getting everything ready the night before, including your own things so no mad rush or stress, while your looking for house or car keys!
You personally might love school or loathe it. Whatever your feelings make sure your child is happy and reassured everything is all OK.

The School Uniform Reality Check

Keep it real your little one’s school uniform will get absolutely trashed, this is easier to accept now and buy lots of spares of everything 5 of everything if you can manage it. It will also take the pressure off you during the week if you can wash and iron the uniform just at weekends.
Be prepared for the potential for buying new items during the terms as well accidents like ripped hoods on jackets when playing in the playground does happen!
Label everything, ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! – socks, both shoes, jacket, lunchboxes, bags, everything, it’s a bit confusing when they come home in other children’s clothes, if your child has the same shoes or jacket as another child its easily done, but if you label everything its also easily fixed.
Sadly, even when clothes are labelled they do get lost, best to accept this now and remember to check the lost and found box in school before having to buy new again.
Something to check is that a lot of schools ask for labelled wellies to be left in school, for them to explore the school grounds or some schools have mud kitchens for the children to play in, so it might be good to ask the teacher if there are set days that would be helpful to send a spare set of school clothes in!

Planning Ahead Through the Year

Every school holiday always goes too fast so plan in advance if there are certain things you want to do and enjoy making families memories. Or if you are working and need to arrange childcare think and book way in advance as there will be many other parents looking and spaces get booked fast.
Pretty much all school terms are the same and before you know it you will be sourcing nativity costumes. Think ahead as you will no doubt need to have a costume for World Book Day which is in March.
And with Sports Days you might find they have to wear a certain colour, all this is good to find out early, so you can plan costumes in as Christmas or Birthday Presents to help spread the costs!

Navigating Friendships and Parties

Generally, all children get on really well. However, you might find that your little one will go through a load of “best friends” or when it comes to parties want to not invite some children and this is all normal. Just remember it is important that you let your children pick their own friends.
Now your child is at school you will find they get loads of Birthday Party invites. It’s a good idea to set yourself a budget for presents and stick to it, the usual is around £5 for presents for us, but this may vary from place to place. Be mindful there will always be someone who goes over the top, but it is the thought that counts and the children attending, enjoy and being part of the Birthday Experience that counts.
It’s easy to feel a little hurt if your child is not invited to a party. Don’t take it personally. When it’s your turn to plan, you’ll see just how tough it is and not all parents can afford to invite every single child from the class.

Supporting Their Learning

Resist the urge to compare your child’s progress to others in their class. Easier said than done, but children learn at different rates and if your child is the youngest of the class then remember some other pupils might be almost a whole year older!
Free up just 10 minutes a night to listen to your child read, it will make your heart explode! At times, it will feel like you’ve been sat there for hours… don’t forget its ok to do a few pages rather than tackling the whole book in one go.

The School Gate Survival Guide

Sometimes, the school gate can feel like an intimidating place full of mums who already know each other, the thing is they probably don’t! Remember, everyone is in the same boat and psyching themselves up to be the conversation starter.
Good conversation starter topics are always the weather, previous homework, upcoming school event or complimenting a younger sibling colourful clothes or pretty toys as an ice breaker.

Remember You’re Doing Great

Be prepared to be amazed by your little school star’s capabilities. You will experience pride on a whole new level and remember even when your running late or having a bad day.
Don’t forget you’re pretty awesome too and also adjusting well to the new school life!

Starting Reception is just one part of the whole back-to-school picture, isn’t it? If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by everything that goes into getting ready for the new term, you might find our complete back to school guide really helpful. We’ve pulled together everything from those endless shopping lists to keeping everyone’s wellbeing on track during the transition. Sometimes it’s the little details that make the biggest difference, so it’s definitely worth a browse if you want to feel properly prepared.

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