School Uniform Advice for First Time Parents

• 

  YTW on 04/01/2017 - 03:30

  +4

  My biggest tip would be to make sure you get it right - be clear on what you are allowed to buy generic and what you must buy from the uniform shop. Most school's have an unofficial Facebook page where you can ask other parents questions specific to your school, just search under the school's name on Facebook and see what comes up. It can also be handy for getting second hand uniforms. Also have a look on the school's official Facebook page if they have photos of existing students on it - check out what they are wearing to give you a better idea of what is acceptable.

  As far as generic school socks, shorts, hats etc go - Target, Best and Less and Big W all have school ranges this time of year. You should be able to find most of your things in those places.

  Just watch with shoes as to what the policy is as it can be an expensive mistake to get the wrong ones - find out just how white the shoes must be, some schools will not accept any other colour on the shoe, they also may require them to have leather uppers (not fabric). Myer has a good range and usually does 20-30% off at times, the Slazengers they sell are reasonably priced and hard wearing. I prefer them to Clarks. New Balance also does school joggers in white that are nice and hard wearing. I get them from their outlet store.

  Our school is really strict on uniforms and shoes - ridiculously so for a state school. All schools have a different level of strictness, you'll get an idea of it pretty quick.

  • 

    dmiser on 04/01/2017 - 03:34

    Thank you kindly for details and suggestions. I have taken a note of them.

• 

  Carydadon on 04/01/2017 - 07:52

  +1

  Concur with first replier. Hopefully there is a kindie get together before school or you just meet a family in the next few weeks in the local area who have older siblings at the same school.

  The only other tips I can think of are…

  • Schools often have a second hand shop as part of the uniform shop.
  • Kids grow real quick! So the clothes might not last long, especially shoes.
  • Even though they grow out of it quick, they will wear it almost every day (sometimes even on non school days, particularly shoes and socks)
  • Try not to get caught up in the brand status game, especially in kindie. They've got a lifetime to do that. Save your money on buying presents for the flood of bday parties.
  • You can consider going as cheap as possible (low risk, low cost like Kmart/bigw etc). Then visit the school as soon as possible (usually kindie starts a few days after normal school), then get the vibe of strictness. At worst, you have spare clothes that kind of look the part in case of accidents.

  Just been through kindie last year with our daughter. My summary is we worry too much, but be ready for tears everywhere.

  • 

    dmiser on 04/01/2017 - 13:34

    Thanks Carydadon. Is it possible to explain "be ready for tears" part a little more? I mean, a couple of examples/experiences that fit into that phrase?

    • 

      Carydadon on 04/01/2017 - 15:17

      +1

      If you aren't in a good sleep routine, there will be tears as they adjust to the school rush. Over tiredness was probably our biggest cause of tears. Happened at the start at Term1, around week 3/4, around week 9. But settled in fairly good after that. Usually only when its been a big day like a birthday party or just a lot of other stuff on (sports etc) that it got a bit bratty.

      The first few days/weeks can be quite emotional as they adjust to new surroundings, new rules, and the formal teaching environment. Our Kindie teacher was a damn hero, and great to talk to for assurance. Other parents are great too, but sometimes you might feel a trap of judging your own parenting against there's.

      In preschool/home if they needed to go to toilet you get up and go. At school you need to follow protocol, which can lead to tears. I remember getting a call from school, and fearing the worst when seeing the caller ID, then it turns out she just had a wet accident. A good routine re toilets, such as always go at recess and after lunch may be best as its not always easy or kids get distracted when they really need to go.

      A good and consistent drop off routine is highly recommended too, else it gives kids the chance to get clingy on their off days.

      Then there can be tears if its too hot or too cold (when in class is OK, just when waiting in lines, pre-bell).

      Our school also has very little grass, so a lot of scraped knees and elbows. Once turned out as a hairline fracture in the arm.

      At kindie orientation they might have given you some booklets or shown a video about kindie? That can help resolve any anxieties kids have. Talk to your kid about their qs and expectations and talk positively about it.

      At the end of the day, my girl is happy, made great friends, did well learning wise, and ready for another year.

      TL:DR there will be tears but routines, sleep, and communication will help. Talk to anyone, they will have an opinion (like us). Its a learning experience for you and your spawn.

      • 

        dmiser on 04/01/2017 - 17:27

        Thanks for the heads up, buddy!

• 

  slow on 04/01/2017 - 08:28

  +1

  Even though our school has a uniform policy, apart from the shirts with logos, kids wear a huge variety of shorts, trackie pants, shoes etc. So once school starts you will get an idea of what others are doing. One thing is the kmart etc stuff is pretty low quality, eg they wear through the knees on the track pants pretty quick, whereas the proper school uniform ones last heaps longer.
  We also got heaps of hand me downs from friends and neighbours with older kids, some of which were barely worn, so you could ask around

• 

  altomic on 04/01/2017 - 08:28

  +1

  my 3 kids go to a non-state primary school. the school pushes for students to have the 2-1 dress/sneaker and strongly suggest the athletes foot. for the first year we bought shoes there. quickly the shoes started to fray at the stitching or the heals started to wear out, plus kids feet grow quickly. we have shifted to less expensive shoes that we care little for when they grow out of or destroy.

  also the school requires students to wear socks that can only be bought from the uniform shop (they have 2 bands of colour around the ankle). $12 a pair. I have 3 kids. kkids need at least a couple of pairs each. they are pretty average quality socks - they go grey in the wash, elastic gives out within 12 months, etc. I just went for kmart white school socks - 5 pairs for $8. school hasn't said anything…..yet

• 

  Hellfire on 04/01/2017 - 09:59

  +1

  Some tips on getting cheap uniforms:

  • Check to see if they have a second hand uniform shop. It might be run by the P&C.

  • Join school/P&C facebook groups. Parents often try to offload uniforms here.

  • Make friends with other parents. We got a bunch of school uniforms from parents who moved schools. Basically for free.

  Some other tips:

  • Buy multiple hats if you get a good deal. My kids lose at least 1 each term.
  • Buy shoes in progressively larger sizes if you get a good deal. School shoes rarely seems to go on sale later in the year.
• 

  Adz81 on 04/01/2017 - 11:01

  DIY option, right here.

  http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/simpsons/images/c/c9/Bir…

• 

  whooah1979 on 04/01/2017 - 12:24

  +1

  the School Uniform Shop

  does the shop support the school? if yes, then why not support the shop so that they can support the school?

  • 

    dmiser on 04/01/2017 - 13:41

    Not sure about this but I can see that Shop Manager is also School Business Manager. I also think that if there are more cost effective offerings elsewhere, why not utilise them? School is financially supported by various fees (as this is a non-public school) as well as the after school care service and additional activity classes we are to enrol in.

• 

  dmiser on 04/01/2017 - 13:44

  Anyone have any suggestions around NAME LABELS? We need SEW ON Type. There are heaps when I Google them but can you guys recommend the ones you may have used?

  • 

    whooah1979 on 04/01/2017 - 13:49

    Iron on no good?

    • 

      dmiser on 04/01/2017 - 13:50

      The uniform guidelines talks about only the Sew One ones. Let me know of the Iron On ones if you have used them and I will check with the school whether they will accept them.

      • 

        altomic on 05/01/2017 - 12:10

        i've wondered about buying some of the "inkjet ink transfer paper" and then printing out and then ironing the name on.

        this stuff ~$8 for 10 A4 sheets

• 

  Jakjakjak on 04/01/2017 - 14:31

  +1

  Regarding labels, I found it was better to buy a good perminant marker and write your child's name on the tag inside the clothing.

  • 

    YTW on 07/01/2017 - 02:12

    Yep. Most school uniforms come with a name tag built in - you just use a laundry marker to write their name on it. I also write my child's name nice and big on the inside of hats and jumpers so that their name is obvious and can't be removed.

• 

  whitewatermelon on 04/01/2017 - 18:28

  +1

  I was told this by our school uniform shop lady, not sure if true for all public schools (private completely different). They cannot force you to wear the exact school uniform, so long as it looks like you have tried.
  Eg. My son was in kindy last year. A polo with emblem was $25. I ended up buying a target polo of the same colour ($4), and a sew on emblem from the uniform shop ($6). Looked the same for less than 1/2 price!
  However, they have just brought in a new uniform (changeover will take 3 years) and they are not ordering in any sew on emblems of the new emblem. I've been told that if I buy a polo of the same colour, and my son wears it with no emblem, he won't be in trouble. I plan on only one "proper" shirt, for photos, assemblies, etc, and he can have plain for the rest.
  Otherwise, raid the used pile from uniform shop. Ours is a flat rate of $2/piece.

  • 

    dmiser on 04/01/2017 - 18:47

    Thanks for the info, mate! This is really helpful as well.

• 

  altomic on 05/01/2017 - 12:02

  +1

  best&less have started their uniform sale

  https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/286008