And just like that, we are moving towards the end of summer and into a new school year. Whether your nanny kids are entering preschool or college, it is important to ensure they are set up for success in the next school year. This can be a very busy time of the year, especially for parents and nannies of multiple children. We have created a checklist of tasks typically needed to prepare a child for the next school year. We hope that you can assist parents and your nanny’s kids with these tasks to start the school year off right for the whole family.
- Ensure that the children have a backpack and a lunch box.
- Purchase Bento boxes, containers, ice packs, and leak-proof cups (Camelbak and Yeti) for packing lunches.
- Make sure any required technology, chargers, headphones, school apps, or online portals are set up.
- Label everything that will go to school.
- For pre-schoolers, make sure they have a change of clothes in their bag.
- Confirm teacher names, classroom numbers, school nurse contact, and front office contact.
- Request all forms needed for school and after school, have parents fill them out, and assist parents in returning the forms to school or after school.
- Update emergency contacts with the school.
- If a child has a food allergy or a medical condition that requires medication to be on hand at school, ensure that all forms are completed and that the medication is given to the appropriate person (typically the school nurse).
- Review food allergy protocols with the child, nanny, parents, and school.
- Fill out any bus forms as needed.
- Confirm school start date, daily schedule, drop-off/pick-up times, and early release days.
- Review the family’s morning and afternoon routine before school starts.
- Practice the school commute, bus stop routine, or carpool routine if needed.
- Make sure school uniforms, shoes, socks, jackets, and weather-appropriate clothing are purchased and ready.
- Confirm after-school care, sports, clubs, tutoring, or enrichment schedules.
- Ensure that all doctors’ appointments and physicals are scheduled and completed before the first day of school.Purchase sports equipment as needed.
- Add back-to-school events and activities, school holidays, teacher workdays, breaks, and early dismissal days to the family calendar.
- Set up a homework station or school-paper drop zone at home.
- Create a system for school papers, permission slips, artwork, and folders.
- Review screen-time, bedtime, and morning wake-up routines before school starts.
- Keep reading every day to complete summer reading.
