"Donna Metler" wrote in message
...

"Welches" wrote in message
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"Chookie" wrote in message
news:ehrebeniuk-83CB7E.08502210022009@news...
In article ,
"Donna Metler" wrote:

For those who have/have had children in schools which use uniforms, do
you
have any suggestions on how and what to buy? DD will be required to
actually
wear the full school uniform for parochial school K in the fall
(instead of
the "clothing that adheres to the dress code" that pre-K is allowed),
and
I'm considering going ahead and buying a few pieces at a time, a size
up,
since I KNOW what the uniform policy is and it's unlikely to change (I
think
there would be a rebellion, given the number of hand me down loops and
multi-child families which already exist).

It depends a bit on what's available. I have 4 outfits per season for
my son,
as he's a grub. If DD is neat, you could probably get away with fewer
outfits. If there is a choice of dresses and shirts+shorts, buy a
combination
-- the mothers of little girls I know say their daughters love the
dresses,
but that the shorts allow more freedom of movement for sport.

Don't they have a separate outfit for games?
Debbie

At least here, not in the primary years, probably because the teachers
don't want to deal with supervising/assisting dressing that many children.
They start changing for physical education in intermediate school, which
can start anywhere from 5th-7th grade depending on schools. Which is also
about the time that the kids start to smell pretty awful if they DON'T
change. Little ones just get dirty.

#2's class change into shorts and t-shirt for games (age 4-5yrs) They
encourage them to do as much as possible, which #2 has done since starting,
even though socks can be a little struggle (try doing it with one hand) and
I think she needs the final pull up with tights.

Since DD hates mud and the like, I think we'll start with 5-6 tops, a
jumper, and a couple of skorts/shorts for the fall (it's still very, very
hot here in the fall, so most schools don't require the "Fall uniform"
until about 2 months into the school year) and a few pairs of slacks and a
logo sweatshirt or two for the winter. She should be able to get by with
the short sleeved shirts under a sweatshirt (and I've seen lower grade
parents layer a turtleneck under the school shirt and leggings under
skorts or jumpers, which apparently is acceptable, although it makes the
kids look kind of strange. In a public school, if we had kids coming in
layered that way, we'd question whether the parents had financial trouble,
since they couldn't dress their child appropriately for the weather. In a
private, uniformed school, that just kind of comes with the uniform .

There is a uniform exchange as kids get bigger, but DD is in size 3s at 4,
and will be entering K at 4 1/2, so it's unlikely there will be much
available for her (I'm guessing that I'll be doing a lot of taking tucks
in waistbands and hemming in the fall). They had to special order her
uniform for rec league cheerleading/dance because they didn't carry sizes
below a youth small. Apparently, most 4 yr olds now run big.

I don't suppose there's any prayer that any of the UK uniform suppliers
would carry the exact plaid DD's school needs (let alone the logo). It
looks like UK uniform stores cost a LOT less than US ones, even counting
the exchange rate.

Try:
http://www.marksandspencer.com (type school uniform into the search)
http://www.next.co.uk/shopping/child...01_02_04_01_08
http://www.bhs.co.uk/mall/department...ore/120537/1/1

Most do uniform from age 3yrs as some preschools require it.
Summer dresses are usually gingham check, pink and purple (my girl's
colours) are hard to get, but other's easier.
Also try
www.ebay.co.uk
as there's quite a bit on there.

Debbie