Getting ready for a new school year always comes with a bit of a scramble — new bags, new books, new routines, and usually a few nerves along the way. Whether your child is starting school for the first time or heading back into a familiar classroom, a little organisation goes a long way toward making the first weeks feel calm and manageable.
We asked our parent community to share their best tips for getting organised for going back to school — covering everything from paperwork to packed bags to those all-important first-day chats.
Getting Organised For The New School Year
#1. Update Contact Details
If any of your contact details have changed since last year — phone number, email address or home address — let the school know as soon as possible. Schools need up-to-date details for you and for any emergency contacts, so it’s worth double-checking this before term starts rather than after.
#2. School Bags At the Ready
Along with the usual books and stationery, tuck a packet of tissues and a spare snack into the bag, and check the zips and straps still have a year left in them before the first morning reveals otherwise.
In Ireland, most primary and post-primary pupils now receive their core textbooks through the free schoolbooks scheme, on a book-loan basis — so there’s less need to buy books yourself. Check with the school for anything you’re still asked to provide, such as copybooks or stationery, and note that some post-primary schools ask for a small refundable deposit on loaned items, returned once the books come back at year end. Whatever your child needs, make sure it’s all ready and packed a day or two before term starts.
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#3. Label Everything
Along with labelling books, stationery, bags, coats and uniforms, don’t forget to clearly label water bottles and lunch boxes too.
Children need to be able to spot their own water bottle and lunch box at a glance, so they’re not left using someone else’s by mistake — a small step that saves a lot of hassle at pick-up time.
#4. Read School Policies And Guidelines
Every school issues guidelines at the start of the year, and it’s worth taking the time to read through them properly. These usually cover things like drop-off and pick-up arrangements, attendance rules, what happens if your child feels unwell during the day, and general behaviour expectations.
Read them, understand them, and ask the school office if anything is unclear. That way you can talk through what’s relevant with your child in a calm, matter-of-fact way, and there won’t be any confusion when the first day arrives.
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#5. Talk Through the Everyday Stuff
You don’t need to overload your child with detail, but it’s worth having an age-appropriate chat with them about looking after themselves at school. A few simple things make a real difference:
- Make sure your child knows how to wash their hands properly.
- Remind them of good coughing and sneezing etiquette.
- Keep an eye on how your child is feeling in the mornings, and don’t send them to school if they seem unwell.
- Talk through what your child should do if they start to feel unwell during the school day — who to tell, and what happens next.
Your school office can usually talk you through their specific approach if you’re ever unsure.
#6. Settling In Visits
Some schools offer a settling-in visit or open morning before term starts, especially for children who are new to the school. If this is offered, try to take it up. It gives your child a chance to get familiar with the layout, their classroom and their new teacher, and it can take a lot of the worry out of day one.
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#7. Listen To Concerns
As always, make time each day to listen to any worries your child has and answer their questions honestly. Keep the information age-appropriate, and try not to overwhelm them with too much detail all at once.
Children pick up on our moods and often mirror how we’re feeling, so it’s worth keeping this in mind — staying calm and matter-of-fact around them helps more than you might think.
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#8. Getting To And From School Safely
However your child gets to school — walking, cycling, by car, bus or bike — it’s worth spending a bit of time on the practicalities before term starts. Practise the route together if it’s new, agree on a clear pick-up and drop-off plan, and make sure children know exactly where to go if plans change during the day.
If your child walks or cycles, hi-vis or reflective bits on their bag or coat are a simple, low-effort way to help them be seen, especially as the mornings and evenings get darker. And if they’re using school or public transport, a quick chat about where to sit, how to behave, and what to do if they miss a stop can save a lot of worry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most important thing to sort out before the first day back?
Start with contact details and paperwork — the school needs accurate emergency contact information from day one. After that, focus on getting bags packed, uniforms labelled, and any school policies read through so there are no surprises.
How can I help my child feel less anxious about going back to school?
Keep conversations calm, honest and age-appropriate. Listen to their worries without dismissing them, take up any settling-in visits the school offers, and try to stay relaxed yourself — children often take their cue from how the adults around them are feeling.
What should go in a well-organised school bag?
Beyond books and stationery, pack a labelled water bottle and lunch box, a packet of tissues and a spare snack. Check the school’s own list for anything specific they’ve asked for.
What if my child says they feel unwell at school?
Talk through this in advance so your child knows exactly what to do — usually, telling a teacher straight away. Most schools outline their own procedure for this in their back-to-school guidelines, so it’s worth checking what applies at your child’s school.
Related Articles
- Our Back to School Hub – everything in one place
- Back to School Supplies Checklist
- Back to School Traditions to Start This Year
- Our Pick of The Best School Bags for Kids
Before You Go
Getting organised early takes so much of the stress out of the first weeks back. Browse more of our back-to-school ideas and save your favourites for when you need them.
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