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Back to School Checklist

Special offer: Get your child reading-ready for their first day of school with a free trial of Reading Eggs.

Back-to-school season comes around like a whirlwind, and in the midst of shopping, labeling and packing lunches, it’s easy to forget a thing or two.

But with a bit of preparation, back-to-school doesn’t have to be a stressful time. Use our handy back-to-school checklist to tick off everything you need and concentrate on getting your child excited about the new year ahead!

For school supplies, download your FREE Back to School Checklist here.

• Update your details: make sure your contact information is up-to-date with the school.
• Emergency contact: nominate a trusted family member or friend as your emergency contact—someone to collect your child if you aren’t able to.
• Health records: make sure your child’s new teacher is aware of any health issues, allergies, or medications.
• Label supplies: iron labels onto clothing and bags, and don’t forget books and lunchboxes too, especially if your child has a knack for losing things!
• Prepare for summer: in the hotter months, put a frozen drink or ice brick inside your child’s lunchbox. This is a good way to prevent bacteria and food poisoning. Don’t forget the sunscreen—keep it somewhere easy to find in the mornings.
• Cellphone: decide if your child needs a phone this year. If they do, remember to put your contact numbers and emergency contacts into their phone.
• Healthy snacks: stock up on nutritious foods and snacks for breakfast, lunches, and afternoon tea.
• Family calendar: Mark school events and important dates on a family calendar and stick it on the fridge—this will save you a lot of stress throughout the year.
• Meet the teacher: If there’s an opportunity, bring your child along to meet their new teacher. This will ease their nerves and gives you a chance to ask any questions.
• Practice the school route: practice getting to school together. If taking the bus, review the timetable together. If riding a bike, remind them to wear a helmet. If walking, review pedestrian safety and crossing the road.
• Have a conversation: talk to your child about how they feel about going back to school. Talk over any concerns, such as making new friends, peer pressure, or bullying.

Reading Eggs is the multi-award winning online reading program for children aged 2–13. With a comprehensive range of self-paced lessons and games, Reading Eggs is a highly interactive and fun way to build your child’s reading skills for school.

You can get your child reading-ready for school with a free trial of Reading Eggs here.