Tried, tested and mum approved. Everything your little one actually needs for their first day, plus the bits nobody tells you about.
So your baby is starting reception. If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent the last few weeks swinging between “where has the time gone” and “how am I meant to buy all this before September”.
I’ve done the reception run twice now, and I’ve made every mistake going. Bought the wrong shoes. Forgot to label anything. Panic-ordered a lunch box the night before that my daughter couldn’t open on her own. So this is the checklist I wish someone had handed me the first time round.
I’ve split it into what you’ll actually need, the stuff that makes life easier, and the little tips that save you money and stress. Let’s get you sorted.
The uniform basics
Most schools send a uniform list before the summer holidays, so check yours first. But here’s the thing they don’t tell you: buy more than you think.
Reception children get filthy. Paint, mud, glue, lunch, more mud. You do not want to be washing uniform every single night, so aim for five of everything you can.
For the branded bits, supermarket own-brand is honestly brilliant and a fraction of the price. I’ve found the basics hold up just as well as pricier versions.
- Polo shirts: I get 5, so that’s the week sorted with no worries.
- School jumpers or cardigans: check what your school likes, as these are often branded with the school logo.
- Trousers, skirts or pinafores: available from age 2, so ideal if your little one is small for their age.
- Socks or tights: I like the day-of-the-week ones just to stay organised, so I know there’s always a clean pair ready.
Mum tip: Size up. Kids grow fast, and a slightly big jumper in September will fit perfectly by spring. Just don’t go so big they’re swimming in it on day one.
School shoes (get these right)
If there’s one thing worth spending a bit more on, it’s shoes. Your child is going to be in them six hours a day, five days a week, on growing feet. Cheap shoes that don’t fit properly can genuinely cause problems.
Two bits of advice. First, get their feet measured properly rather than guessing. Second, go for Velcro, not laces. Your four year old cannot tie laces yet, and you will not be there at 10am when they come undone.
- School shoes (Velcro fastening): a bit more expensive, I know, but a good brand lasts longer and is comfier than a cheap pair, so it actually saves money in the long run. I only have boys so I can’t personally recommend cute girls’ shoes, but there are plenty on the market!
- Plimsolls or trainers for PE: so cheap for a good brand, you can’t go wrong.
Mum tip: The good shoe fitters get booked solid in August. Book your fitting appointment now, then re-check the fit in late August before term starts.
The bag, bottle and lunch kit
This is where reception really begins for your little one. Their own bag, their own bottle, their own lunch. It feels like a big deal to them, so let them have a say in the design if you can.
- Backpack (Scandiborn): I think these are just the cutest, so much fun for the little ones! They’re water repellent too, with a name tag inside.
- Named water bottle: stainless steel, so it keeps drinks cold and survives being dropped a hundred times. More on my favourites in my lunch boxes and water bottles guide.
- Lunch box: pick one your child can open on their own. I’ve rounded up the ones that actually work in my back to school lunch boxes guide.
Mum tip: Do a practice lunch at home the week before. Pack it exactly as you would for school and let them open everything themselves. You’ll quickly spot what they can’t manage before it becomes a problem in the dinner hall.
The thing everyone forgets: name labels
Label. Everything. I cannot say this loudly enough.
Reception classrooms are a sea of identical jumpers and water bottles, and anything unnamed disappears into the lost property black hole within a week. Shoes, coat, jumper, bottle, lunch box, book bag, every sock if you have the patience.
Mum tip: Order labels early. They take a few days to arrive and you’ll want them done before the first day, not the night before while you’re also trying to iron a polo shirt.
The coat
British September can’t make its mind up, so send them in with a waterproof coat with a hood. These are available anywhere, so pick a bright colour for good visibility on the walk to school.
Need proper wet-weather gear for playtime too? My guide to the best toddler rain gear covers everything for soggy days.
The nice-to-haves that actually help
None of these are essential, but they’ve made a real difference for us.
Spare clothes bag: Accidents happen, especially in the early weeks. A named bag with a full change of clothes lives in their backpack.
A little comforter or family photo: If your child gets anxious, a small familiar thing tucked in their bag can be a big comfort. Check your school’s policy first.
A first-day outfit laid out the night before: Uniform, shoes, bag, bottle, all ready by the door. The first morning is emotional enough without hunting for a missing sock.
Before the first day: the skills that matter more than the stuff
Here’s what surprised me. Reception teachers will tell you they care far less about whether your child can read or write, and far more about whether they can manage themselves.
The things that genuinely help your child settle:
- Getting their coat and shoes on and off
- Opening their own lunch and water bottle
- Using the toilet and washing hands independently
- Asking an adult for help when they need it
You’ve got the summer to gently practise these. No pressure, no drilling, just working them into everyday life. It’ll make those first few weeks so much smoother for them.
A quick word on cost
Starting school is expensive, and it all lands at once. A few ways to soften it:
Buy uniform basics from supermarkets rather than specialist shops. Spread purchases across July and August rather than doing it all in one painful shop. Check whether your local area has a uniform swap or pre-loved scheme, which are brilliant for fast-growing kids and branded items you’d otherwise pay a fortune for. And if money is tight, ask your school about uniform support, as many have grants or swap schemes they don’t shout about.
The bottom line
Your little one needs far less than the shops would have you believe. Get the uniform, get shoes that fit properly, sort a bag and bottle they can manage themselves, and for the love of all things, label everything.
The rest is about helping them feel ready and excited. They’ll be absolutely fine. It’s usually us parents who need the tissues on the first morning.
Good luck. You’ve got this.
Starting reception: your questions answered
What do you need for starting reception?
The essentials are school uniform (aim for five sets of the basics), well-fitting Velcro school shoes, a PE kit, a book bag, a backpack, a named water bottle and lunch box your child can open themselves, and plenty of name labels. A waterproof coat and a spare set of clothes finish it off. Everything else is a nice-to-have.
When do children start reception in the UK?
Children start reception in the September after they turn four, so most are four years old on their first day and turn five during the school year. You apply for a primary school place the autumn before they start.
What should my child be able to do before starting reception?
Teachers care far more about independence than reading or writing. The skills that help most are getting a coat and shoes on and off, using the toilet and washing hands alone, opening their own lunch and water bottle, and feeling able to ask an adult for help. Practise these gently over the summer.
How many sets of school uniform do I need?
Aim for around five of the everyday basics like polo shirts, so you’re not washing uniform every single night. Reception is messy, and having a clean set ready each morning saves a lot of stress.
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