Back to School: Tips to Get Organised and Make Mornings Easier

The school run doesn’t have to feel like a military operation. With a little prep, you can swap the chaos for calm(ish) mornings that set everyone up for the day. Here’s how to get organised before the term starts so your mornings run more smoothly.

1. Create a Morning-Flow Zone

Have one place where everything your child needs each morning lives; school bag, coat, shoes. This “launch pad” means you’re not shouting, “Where’s your other shoe?!” at 8.30am

2. Sort the Uniform Now

• Check everything still fits.

• Replace missing or worn-out pieces before the rush.

• Have at least one spare of essentials like socks and polos t shirt. Hang outfits together in the wardrobe so getting dressed is grab-and-go.

• Get the uniforms or outfits ready Sunday night for the week ahead so the kids can grab them each morning.

  
  

3. Prep Lunches the Night Before

Mornings are for eating breakfast and getting out the door calmly.

• Pre-pack lunch boxes and store them in the fridge overnight.

• Keep a basket in the cupboard with lunchbox snacks ready to grab.

  
  

4. Streamline the Homework & Paperwork Pile

Create a homework station with pencils, rulers, and scissors all in one container.

Have one in-tray for school letters so they don’t get lost on the kitchen counter-if you can deal with them straight away and pop them back in the schoolbag.

5. Think Ahead on Breakfast

Stock quick but healthy options your kids will actually eat, overnight oats, breakfast oat muffins, or good old porridge. No one needs a new cereal argument before 9am.

6. Sunday Reset for the Week Ahead

Spend 30 minutes on Sunday getting uniforms ready, PE kits ready, lunch snacks topped up, and bags on their hook. A little time now saves a lot of stress later.

7. Friday after School Routine

Get the kids into the habit of doing 3 things:

• throwing their uniform in the wash basket so it’s not found on the floor Sunday evening.

• Taking their lunch box and drinks bottle out of this bag and empty them and pop them in the dishwasher (even little ones can do this)

• Giving you any letters, permission slips etc

• Telling you if they’ve lost anything-school jumper, copy book… it’s easier to handle this on a Friday and not a Monday morning.

Prompt them to do this until it becomes habit.

Then pop a wash on to include the uniforms/PE kit

7. Build in a Time Buffer

Aim to be ready 10 minutes earlier than you need to leave. That “extra” time is your safety net for missing shoes, last-minute toilet trips, or the inevitable “Mum, I forgot to tell you…” moments.

The Bottom Line

Back to school will never be completely chaos-free, but with these simple steps, you’ll spend less time hunting for lost jumpers and more time starting the day in a way that feels calm and in control.

If you need help setting up systems to help your mornings flow better, Book your FREE CONSULTATION today

Neatly organised

Ann