Primary preparation adds up to $500

Nadia Weaver and her husband have spent nearly $500 preparing their eldest daughter Saffie for her first day of primary school on Monday.

The red polo shirt and black shorts she will wear are not compulsory at Tauriko School, but the Weavers felt a uniform represented a big step in starting school.

"I just feel like it's easier as a parent to know what she's going to put on each day," Mrs Weaver told the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend.

The couple also chose to make the school donation of $140 and were required to pay an additional $85 fee for information and communication technology, activities and an online Mathletics licence.

"The beauty of it is that they don't hound you for that donation," she said.

They have anticipated Saffie will soon need a tablet or iPad and have started a school account to cover the costs for both her and younger sister MacKenzie, who is nearly four.

The school allows children to wear their own footwear and hat, but Mrs Weaver said she preferred to buy quality shoes, which could cost nearly $100 a pair.

Saffie already has a hat, backpack and lunchbox from her preschool days but school stationery cost the Weavers another $50.

It also cost $76 for the two Tauriko School polo shirts and $50 for two pairs of black shorts.

"Compared to what I've talked to my other friends about [some of whom were buying uniforms for Bethlehem College] it's quite reasonable."