Check your school uniform and shoes and make sure they fit

Check the class requirements and place an online order to save time

Confirm start date

Check if there are staggered start times due to Covid 19 procedures

Consider creating a zone in your home where all your kids daily school items such as bag, hat, library bag are all kept.

Familiarise your kids with this area, and ask them to use this space on a daily basis. This will ensure nothing gets lost.

Consider using Howards Manhattan 3-Tier Storage Shelf or if you have a large space (maybe a garage), then there’s the easy-build 5 Shelf Bathroom Unit which works really well too.

On the shelves, label some containers with the kids names, so everyone knows whose items are whose. I like the Smart Store Classic 15.

Invest in a good quality lunch box. I hate having to buy a new one half way through the year, and kids usually trash them so make sure they are sturdy! Here are a few of my favourites:-

My kids love an “itty bitty” lunch, so Bento boxes are a big hit in my family, and we use the Packit Mod Bento Lunch Container in Mint

Thermos, Oasis & Contigo make great water bottles which are leak proof. They have a great range for little and big kids too. My two favourites are:-

Talk to your child about their feelings

Write a list and discuss ways you can reduce their stress

Encourage your child to use breathing techniques

Join your child in a Yoga Class. YouTube have plenty of free online yoga channels

Reach out to other parents/caregivers, and organise a play date to help your child build courage

Sleep and sleep practices are fundamental to a child’s learning, so discuss school night bed times and when they wake

Galaxy Star Projector & Sound Machine is a great soother for early childhood, and will assist in helping those active brains go to sleep

Plan your child’s lunches with a lunch rota

Pre-prepare bulk lunches. This will save you time and money. We like:- Cold chick drumsticks, pre-made frozen sandwiches (check out the “how to” below), meatballs and sausage rolls

To reduce on waste, consider using wax wraps like Bee Wrappy Beeswax Food Wraps 2 Pack

Eat in style with Appetito 5 Piece Stainless Steel Travel Cutlery Set which is perfect for those Canteen days

Create some excitement in your child’s return to school

Give lots of encouragement

Get involved in your child’s homework

Chat about school and their friends at the dinner table