The Complete Back To School Checklist For Busy Parents

SCHOOL CALENDAR DATES

• Get a copy of school timetables and classroom schedules.
• Enter all the key important school calendar dates into your diary - up to a year ahead if you can.
• Enter any sports/afterschool activities into your diary now too if possible. It's good to get ahead!

CHILD CARE ARRANGEMENTS - BACK TO SCHOOL CHECKLIST

• Makes sure your child care is booked and organized.
• Book your breakfast club or after-school club places.

BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES

• First up check on what you do have, no point buying new if you have usable items in already.
• Grab our printable back to school supplies shopping checklist. If you've more than one child it's a good idea to print off a checklist for each child, that way you can see where you're up to and what still needs buying.
• Top tip! Save time in the shoe store by booking shoe fitting appointments online with the store, so there's no waiting around when you get there.

UNIFORM - SCHOOL SUPPLIES LIST

• Trousers/Skirts
• School Shirts
• School Jumpers
• Socks/Tights
• School Shoes
• School Ties
• School Coat
• Blazer
• School Bag / Backpacks
• Sports Tops
• Sports Shorts
• Sports Socks
• Trainers
• Football Boots
• Shin Pads
• Sports Bag

STATIONERY - BACK TO SCHOOL CHECKLIST

• Pencil Case
• Pens - red, blue, black
• Pencils - HB, H, B, 2B
• Geometry Set
• Scientific Calculator
• A4 Notepads
• Notebooks
• Highlighter Pens
• Erasers
• Ruler

OTHER BITS

• Bus Pass
• Wallet
• Hair Accessories
• Deodorant
• Lunch boxes
• Water Bottle

ORGANIZE TRANSPORT - BACK TO SCHOOL CHECKLIST

• Confirm transport arrangements - check school bus timetables or car-pool arrangements and drop-off/pick-up times.
• Make sure you've applied for any bus passes or paid any transport fees needed.
• Confirm where your child will be getting on/off school busses.

BACK TO SCHOOL HEALTH TIPS

• Book and attend any routine health appointments before school restarts - eye exam, dental check-ups, immunizations or vaccines etc.
• Organize any medications that need to be kept at schools - fill in all the correct permission slips etc.
• Chat about and address any back-to-school anxieties with your child. This is especially important if it's your child's first day of school or if they have to transition to a new school or into high-school.
• Make an effort to adjust bedtimes and waking times ready for getting back into a good sleep routine.

CREATE A STUDY SPACE - BACK TO SCHOOL CHECKLIST

• Make sure you create a study space for your child at home, somewhere they can focus on any homework, reading or revision.

HEALTHY MEAL PLANS

If your child takes lunch to school from home, it's a good idea to start thinking about healthy lunchbox options and coming up with a meal plan that includes 2-3 of their 5-a-day and is giving them slow burning carbs which will fuel them through the school day.

You can grab all our healthy lunchbox menus here - with options for mains, snacks, fruit and veggies. And we've included a vegetarian options too!

BACK TO SCHOOL CHECKLIST - EXTRAS!

All the little things you might need to add!

• Haircuts
• Play dates
• School open days or taster days
• Make sure you leave time to name tag all your child's belongings before start of school.