I’m a nanny & my 7 tips will make the first school day a breeze – including what time they should really be going to bed
THAT first-ever term can be stressful and scary not just for the little ones – but also their parents.
However, it doesn’t need to be that way, and now one nanny has come to rescue with seven easy tips and tricks that will make the first day of school a breeze for your family.
Whether you’re a parent of a school-aged child or know someone who is – or perhaps your mini me seems a little anxious about the new chapter – nanny Amies has shared advice that will make the adjustment period easier.
Taking to TikTok, the guru, @nannyamies, spilled the beans on everything – from bedtime to how much screen time is recommended.
Early bedtime
Although this may seem like a pretty obvious point, parents should ensure their kids, especially the younger ones, get plenty of sleep and rest.
According to the expert, who’s helped many kids with school, children should be in bed by 7pm, with ”lights out” and 12 hours of rest to be productive the following day.
In the video, the mum also revealed that she knows numerous parents whose five-year-olds go to bed at 9pm – which she didn’t recommend.
Routine is essential
It’s not just the routine at school that plays a huge part in their development and growth – sticking to a routine at home is just as essential.
After getting home, the child should be exposed to ”a predictable routine”, such as sitting down, having a drink and a snack before they do anything else.
Refuel
”We need to replenish their physical systems before we can even expect their emotional systems to be able to handle the rest of the day.
”They’re asked to do so much in the school day, so much more than they were ever asked to do before the school started – so obviously, it’s a shock to the system.”
Support
Although life for adults is by no means easy, especially if you have a little one to look after, children haven’t yet developed the logical thinking on how to tackle their emotions.
To ensure they don’t get overwhelmed with all the constant changes in their new life, the nanny advised parents to tell their kids to relax and take a breather when needed.
Screen time
Avoiding screens, whether that’s a tablet, your phone or TV in the living room, is practically impossible in this day and age.
But although watching programmes, be it an educating documentary or a cartoon, is not detrimental – it’s all about balance, the expert reminded.
”There’s only so much information our brains can process, so after a day of it, when they’ve been given a million bits of information through their eyes, into their brain – it is just too much.”
Monitor environmental stimulus
If you find that your child is ”particularly sensitive to things”, the parenting pro urged to keep an eye out what’s going around in the home.
”We might the pasta boiling on the hob, we might have smells, we might have sounds, the dog might be barking, Alexa might be pinging, TV‘s on – it’s just too much for our brains to process.
”And some children very much struggle with that – they could be dehydrated, they might’ve not had a drop of water all day, so make sure they have some drink available.
Back to school deals to be had
SEVERAL major supermarkets and retailers are set to launch their sell-out uniform deals.
Prices for the bundles and offers start at just £5
Among the chains offering bargain deals on kids’ uniforms are Aldi, Marks and Spencer, and Tesco.
Asda
Asda’s George range offers the following key pieces:
Boys Uniform
- 2-pack polo shirt – regular fit or 2pk short sleeves shirt – from £3
- 2-pack slim leg adjustable waist trousers – from £8
- 2-pack basic sweatshirt – from £5
- Black double strap cupsole school shoes – from £10
Girls Uniform
- 2-pack scallop polo shirt – regular fit or 2 pack short sleeve shirt – from £3
- 2-pack pleated skirt – from £8
- 2-pack basic cardigan – from £8
- 2 pack short sleeve shirts – from £5
- 2-pack white short sleeve school polo shirts – from £3
Peacocks
Discount fashion retailer Peacocks is offering its cheap uniform range in all stores with 20% off from July 28.
Its kids’ uniform goes from age 2-3 up to age 14-15 years, which is a new age range for this year.
Among its key items are:
- Kids blouse – £5/£6/£7
- Kids polo 2-pack – £6/£7/£8
- Kids skinny trousers – £9/£10/£11
- Kids bootcut trousers – £9/£10/£11
- Kids Bengaline super skinny trousers – £8/£9/£10
M&S
M&S has held prices on its school uniform since 2021 and has confirmed the return of its popular 20% off school uniform early bird offer from July 2.
You can get the discount by shopping online or in stores where uniform is stocked.
Some examples of its range include:
- From £7 for a 3 pack of 100% responsibly sourced cotton unisex polo shirts, featuring stain-resistant technology
- From £11 for 2pk Boys’ Slim Leg School Trousers
- From £12 for 2pk Girls’ Pleated School Pinafores
Tesco
Tesco is bringing back its 25% off uniform deal again this year, the sale starts on July 23.
It doesn’t tend to run for a long time, so it might be a good idea to stock up while you can.
You need to ensure you have your Tesco Clubcard or app when you get to the till so the discount is applied.
Tesco is yet to reveal the exact items available in the offer.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s says it has maintained its 2022 prices on its school uniform.
It is said to be introducing its 25% off sale on June 19.
Last year you could pick up two packs of polo shirts starting from £3, trousers from £4 and two packs of gingham dresses from £10 both online and in stores.
”Dehydration is a massive cause for irritability.”
Although there are a ”million reasons” this happens, the nanny said there are ways to manage the frustration, such as ”dealing with behaviours properly”.
”We’re not going to let aggression, verbal aggression or disrespect […] slide – we want to deal with it, but deal with it calmly and sympathetically.
Practice to gradually build tolerance
After some time, when exposed to the right tools, ”the little bodies” will eventually get used to the new chapter in their life.
”There is life at the end of the tunnel,” she chuckled.