5 ways to prepare for back to school

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In just a couple of weeks, the summer holidays will be drawing to a close and children across the country will be heading back to school. It’s time to think ahead to the new term and prepare for the back to school routine. 

Check your childrens school bags 

One of the first things any parent or carer should do is find out where your child’s school bag is. Chances are it will have been thrown into the depths of the cupboard under the stairs and any of its contents will have been lying in wait until the start of the new school term. Check the contents, throw away any lunch box science experiments and put their PE kit in the wash. It’s also wise to check for any school letters or newsletters hidden in the bottom of their bags, just in case you miss any important information. 

Stock up on back to school essentials 

With the start of a new term, there are plenty of opportunities in the shops to grab those all important back to school essentials at brilliant prices. Stationery, paper, pens and pencils are all on offer and it makes sense to stock up on these at the start of the month rather than paying a premium later on. Don’t forget to stock up on printer inks too ahead of all the worksheets your children may be asked to do on their return. 

Restart bedtime routines 

Getting back into a routine with children is always hard but it can be made easier with a bit of planning and preparation. In the week before the new term starts, encourage your children to get earlier nights and wake your children up in the morning at the time your new routine will begin. It may not be received favourably by your children but they will soon forget about the extra hours sleep they had in the school holidays once they see their friends on the playground. 

Wash, dry and label uniform in advance 

It’s one of the jobs that parents leave until the last minute so if you’re hoping to get organised ahead of the new school year, it’s time to wash, dry and label all the new school uniform in advance. It can be a huge job to add into the mix of a parents already busy schedule however if time is set aside to get the job done in advance, it can be hugely satisfying when the job is done. 

On the night before the first day of term, set out all the uniform per child (including underwear) in advance so your children will know what to put on in the morning. Getting all the uniform organised the night before will help the morning routine run more smoothly and will also ensure you don’t forget anything. 

Check the start date of the new school term 

One final tip is to check the start date of the new school term with the information provided by the school. Check newsletters and websites to ensure you know the exact date when your child is due to return to school and at what time. Children can often be left disappointed if the date is wrong and their return to school is delayed. 

Do you have any tips you’d add to the back to school list? Drop them in the comments to help out a fellow parent or carer.