Starting school checklist: what your child needs in the UK

Start with the school’s instructions

Before buying uniform, lunch kit or stationery, read the school’s transition information and ask about anything unclear. Reception arrangements vary between schools and across the UK.

• Save the dates and attendance arrangementsWrite down the first day, any staggered start or settling-in sessions, the normal start and finish times, and any inset or closure dates the school has provided. Confirm where children enter and where adults should wait. Ask what to do if your child is unwell or running late. Do not rely on a general online checklist for the school’s exact timetable.
• Complete every requested formReturn admission and contact forms by the school’s deadline. Check spelling, phone numbers, email addresses, home address and emergency contacts. Schools may ask for information about medical needs, allergies, additional support, dietary requirements or permissions; provide accurate information through the method the school specifies and contact them if a form does not cover your child’s circumstances.
• Confirm collection and authorised adultsFind out how the school records who may collect your child, whether it requires names or a password, and how to report a one-off change. Give the school the correct details for every regular carer and make sure each person knows the agreed collection point. Ask what happens if the named adult is delayed; follow the school’s safeguarding and communication procedure rather than arranging an informal handover.
• Ask how messages and urgent updates arriveCheck whether the school uses an app, email, text, paper letters or a combination. Make sure the primary contact can log in, notifications are enabled where appropriate, and another parent or carer knows where to find important information. Ask how to report a change in contact details and which channel to use for an urgent same-day message.
• Check what the school providesAsk whether books, reading records, water bottles, PE equipment or classroom resources are supplied, and whether any item must be brought from home. Some schools provide or lend particular items; others specify a list. Confirm before shopping, especially for branded uniform, stationery and equipment that may not be needed in Reception.

Clothing and belongings: buy for your school, not a generic list

Uniform requirements can be specific, and comfort matters on a long school day. Check the current uniform policy and any second-hand or swap options before purchasing a full set.

• Get the required uniform basicsUse the school’s uniform list to check colours, styles, logo requirements and where branded items are available. Buy a practical amount that fits your laundry routine rather than assuming your child needs a new outfit for every day. Ask whether uniform can be bought second-hand or whether there is support for families who need it.
• Choose shoes your child can manageCheck the school’s footwear rules and look for a fit that leaves room for normal movement without slipping. If possible, practise fastening and taking them off at home. Velcro, elastic or simple fastenings can help a child manage independently, but follow any footwear requirements for uniform or PE.
• Label items clearly and check labels survive washingPut your child’s name on coats, jumpers, shoes, lunch containers and any item likely to be taken off or shared around the classroom. Use a method that stays attached through ordinary use and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. A class name or group can help staff return belongings, but do not put personal contact details where strangers can see them.
• Pack a spare change only if the school asksAsk whether Reception children should bring spare clothes, where they are stored and which items are useful. If requested, pack a simple labelled set that fits comfortably in the school bag. Avoid sending irreplaceable or special clothing, and check periodically that the spare still fits and has not been used without being replaced.
• Keep the bag manageableChoose a bag that fits the school’s requirements and is comfortable for your child to carry. Add only what the school has asked for: often a water bottle, book bag or lunch, but local arrangements differ. Practise opening the fastenings and finding a named item so your child can take part in simple routines without an overfilled bag.

Food, water and the school day

Find out whether your child will have a school meal, a packed lunch or a mix of arrangements. Follow the school’s current rules, including allergy and food policies.

• Choose meals and tell the school about dietary needsAsk how to select or pay for school meals, what the menu looks like and how to notify the school about allergies, intolerances or dietary requirements. If sending a packed lunch, check any restrictions and whether the lunchbox needs to be insulated. Share relevant information with the school using its official process rather than relying only on a note in the bag.
• Practise opening the lunchbox and containersTry the actual lunchbox, bottle and any wrappers at home before the first day. Choose containers your child can open and close, and keep food manageable to eat within the school’s lunch time. Follow the school’s food rules and avoid packing items that need preparation or cutlery unless you know those are suitable.
• Use a labelled, easy-to-open water bottleCheck whether the school wants a particular type of bottle or has rules about where it is kept. Label it with your child’s name and practise opening the lid without spilling. Ask whether children can refill bottles and how often they can access them, rather than assuming classroom routines are the same everywhere.
• Ask about snacks and allergies in classSome schools provide snacks or have rules about food brought from home. Find out whether your child should bring anything and how the school manages allergy information. Do not send a snack just in case if the school has asked families not to; ask the teacher or office if you are unsure.

Prepare your child for the first week

A little rehearsal can reduce the number of new things happening at once. Keep practice light and familiar; the aim is confidence, not a perfect performance.

• Walk or travel the route togetherIf possible, practise the journey at the time you expect to travel. Point out the entrance and the adult who will take your child, and explain what will happen at drop-off in simple, reassuring language. If the route involves public transport or a car, plan enough time for the actual school-day traffic and agree where you will meet after school.
• Rehearse small independence tasksPractise putting on a coat, using the toilet, washing hands, opening the lunchbox and recognising the child’s own belongings. These are opportunities to build familiarity, not tests of readiness. Let the school know if your child needs support with toileting, dressing, communication or another routine so staff can plan with you.
• Talk through drop-off and collectionExplain who will take your child in the morning and who will collect them, using names and a clear sequence. Keep promises realistic: say when you will return and what happens if the plan changes. Tell your child which familiar adult at school they can ask for help, if the school has introduced them.
• Protect a calm evening and morning routineIn the days before school, move bedtime and wake-up towards the expected school rhythm gradually if needed. Lay out clothes, prepare the bag and check the route the night before. Leave a small buffer for last-minute questions, toileting or a forgotten item; a rushed start can make an already new experience feel harder.
• Plan for the emotional settling-in periodChildren respond to change in different ways. Make space for questions and listen without promising that every moment will be easy. Ask the school how it handles separation at the door and how it will contact you if your child needs extra support. Share useful information about what comforts your child, while respecting the school’s routine.

Pack and check: the night-before list

• Lay out the school-approved clothesCheck the uniform policy for the day, including any PE or outdoor clothing. Put shoes, coat and any required accessories together so they can be found in the morning. Check the forecast and the school’s guidance on sun hats or wet-weather items, without sending equipment the school has not asked for.
• Pack only the requested belongingsUse the school’s list to check book bag, reading folder, water bottle, lunch or spare clothes. Remove toys, valuables and extra stationery unless the school specifically requests them. Keep the bag light enough for your child and place papers where the adult collecting them can find them later.
• Check the school communication channelLook for last-minute messages about arrival, meals, uniform or the first week. Make sure you know who to contact if the plan changes and how to report an absence. If something remains unclear, contact the school office in good time rather than relying on other parents’ assumptions.
• Agree the morning and collection plan with carersConfirm who is responsible for drop-off and collection, how they will get there and what happens if they are delayed. Ensure every adult has the school’s correct contact details and knows the school’s authorised-collection process. If the normal plan changes, notify the school using its stated method.

Questions to ask if they are not answered in the welcome pack

• What does a normal day look like?Ask about drop-off, collection, lunch, toilet breaks, outdoor play and how the school helps children move between activities. Knowing the broad shape of the day can help you explain it to your child and identify any practical concern, such as a medication or toileting routine, before term starts.
• Who should we speak to about a concern?Find out the right contact for a routine question, a same-day message and a concern about learning or wellbeing. Ask how to book a conversation with the class teacher and what information the school wants in advance. Using the right channel helps the message reach the person who can respond.
• How are absences, medicines and support managed?Ask how to report illness or absence, what the school’s process is for medicines, and who to speak to about additional support. Requirements can be specific and may involve forms or agreed arrangements. Do not send medicine in a bag without first following the school’s policy and speaking to the appropriate staff member.
• What should we leave at home?Confirm rules on toys, jewellery, money, snacks, smart devices and personal items. Ask whether there are special days when children may bring something from home. A clear rule helps your child avoid the disappointment of an item being put away and reduces the chance of belongings being lost.