Tag: back-to-school

Ease your kids back into the school routine

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Bring back the Bedtime Routine
At least a week before the start of the new term, get the children back into their term-time bedtime routine. If they have become used to going to bed later, the easiest way to reinstate an earlier bedtime is to get them up earlier. Choose a time and stick to it each morning in the lead up to going back to school.

Reintroduce Reading and Writing
Do a little reading and writing practice each day which will get your little one back into the swing of things. It’s also a great confidence booster as they settle back into school.

Make a Memory Box
If your little one is sad that the holidays have come to an end, get them to create their very own fun memory box containing their favourite school holiday memories. Explain that they can look in the box at any time to remember all the fun times they had, plus this could be the start of a lovely tradition.

Plan something fun for October Half Term
Although we’re all feeling sad that the holidays have come to an end, the good news is that it’s not long until the next one. Why not plan a fun day out with your little one for the October half term which will give them something to look forward to!

Check for ‘Forgotten’ Homework
Quiz the kids and get them to check their bags/homework diaries for any forgotten projects and/or homework which needed to be done during the school holidays. Kids have a great habit of forgetting until the very last minute and then conveniently blaming their parents.

Talk about School
Start talking to your child about their new teacher/class. Remind them of names, where their new classroom is and what year group they are now in. This will help them to think about the changes ahead and will give them time to talk through any worries with you before they go back to school.

Be Positive
If your child worries about school, always try to talk to them about it in a positive way. Your attitude towards learning, friends and teachers will set the tone for your child as giving positive messages will build their confidence.

Back to school clothes

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The mad rush begins to get the last of the School Uniform. Here is a selection of the best school uniform deals.

Supermarket bargains

As with many things in life today, the first place to try for bargains has to be the supermarkets.  No longer just the domain of the weekly food shop, most of them now stock an impressive range of school clothing and at some astounding prices.  For example, ALDI/LIDL have a ‘while stocks last’ range at the moment in some of their shops that includes two polo shirts, a round neck sweater and either a skirt or pair of trousers for the astounding price of £3.50 and shoes for £6.99.  The clothing may not be the very highest quality but if your kids are the type to have scuffled holes in their trousers within a week, then quality is a secondary concern!

Morrison’s Nutmeg range is another big name that have jumped into the school wear department in a big way.  All of their shops have a selection of items available and there are some good prices to be had.  They are also very good quality and are rivalling many of the other supermarkets

Tesco have a range of offers in place for the Back to School period including uniform and other essentials.  As most people will have just had their Clubcard vouchers through, there is the Clubcard exchange that allows £5 to become £10 to spend on school uniforms and this is running until 13th September.  There are also offers in addition to this such as two gingham summer dresses for early in the term for just £7 and also a range of stationary essentials on half price.  Tesco have a click and collect service as well so if your local shop doesn’t have the items, it can be sent from another and picked up a day or two later.

Pre-loved bargains

When it comes to sorting out the uniform that no longer fits, why not donate to a pre-loved site or a Freecycle website?  There are plenty of these on Facebook and as standalone websites, while many schools offer a uniform recycling service that allows parents to donate uniform items that are wearable but no longer any use for their kids.  That way you clear out space in the wardrobe for the new items and lend a hand to others who need it.

Facebook is also handy for finding groups that produce iron-on badges to add to bargain clothing and thus saving money on expensive, school logo clothing.  Sew on options can also be found and will work out less costly than buying the new version ready-made from the school.

Finally, check out websites that collect coupons and codes for money off deals, as many of them will be running back to school sections at this time of the year.  These can ideal for finding those special bargains that aren’t well advertised but that can save you a lot of money.  One example is a cashback site that currently offers 11.4% cashback on any Clarks shoes bought, so this helps offset the initial cost a little.