Getting Children's School Uniforms Ready for School

Parents who have school-aged children who wear uniforms have to make sure that uniforms are ready at the start of the school year and daily during school.

Uniforms are the norm in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and many other Caribbean Islands for both private and public school students in all levels of education, namely pre-schools, primary/elementary and secondary schools. Many parents plan ahead to get their children's uniforms ready before school starts. Uniforms need special attention during the school year to ensure that the clothing continue to look clean and fresh.

Typical Uniform Checklists for Boys and Girls

Schools of all levels typically provide parents with the details of the uniforms that children are to wear. Other than the particular school's uniform colors, there are standards for the uniforms for both boys and girls.

• Buttoned-down or polo shirts: Most schools in the BVI require that children wear oxford buttoned-down shirts with the girls wearing the round-collar or Peter Pan collared shirts. Some public and private schools allow children to wear polo shirts but parents should always check with the school before purchasing the uniforms to avoid wasting money by buying twice.
• Pleated skirts for girls: Most schools in the BVI require that girls wear knife-pleated skirts. In the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) and other Caribbean islands, this may vary. Pre-school and kindergarten girls wear pleated skirts with a pinafore. BVI students have two options for acquiring their skirts as skirts can be made or purchased from the stores. Some parents prefer to have the uniform skirts made by a seamstress because they can choose the quality of the material which can help the skirts to last longer than the store bought skirts.
• Jeans are not uniform for boys at school: Schools in the BVI are now requiring that boys wear uniform pants other than jeans. In the BVI, school pants for boys are colored maroon, navy blue, green, grey, black, khaki, brown and other colors and usually consist of a blend of cotton and polyester. So parents rely on local department stores or shopping overseas or online to find the uniform pants.
• Socks are a part of uniform too: Socks are a part of a child's uniform since most schools require that children's socks compliment the tops and bottoms.

Tips for Getting Uniforms Ready for School

Shirts, skirts and pants have to be washed, ironed and cared for properly to promote longer wear and use. 

• Uniform shirts: When Oxford uniform shirts are newly bought, be sure to wash them before ironing or wearing. Polo shirts should also be washed before wearing and should be hung as soon as removed from the dryer for easier ironing. This also helps to keep the shape of the shirts.
• Girls' uniform skirts: Whether made or purchased, girls' uniform skirts should be steam-ironed or taken to the dry cleaners to keep a crisp look. While pleated uniform skirts should be washed regularly, it is also important not to leave them too long in the dryer to avoid the pleats losing the crispness.
• Boys uniform pants: Boys' uniform pants should be washed with like colors and should also be hung or neatly folded after removal from the dryer. Pants can be taken to the dry cleaner or ironed on the appropriate iron setting. Dark colored pants should be covered with a white cloth when ironing to avoid shine.

Uniforms for school-aged children are the norm in the Caribbean and can be costly. Parents should pay attention to the school's rules to avoid buying twice. Uniforms should be bought early to avoid the shopping rush. Take care of uniform shirts, skirts and pants by washing and ironing with care and dry-cleaning occasionally if possible so that the clothing can last longer.