The A to Z Back to School Checklist

Modified March 18, 2026

Back-to-school season adds a lot of things to a busy parent’s to do list: purchasing school supplies, finding new clothes for your kids, and wrapping up summer programs. Don’t let a school physical fall by the wayside during this busy time. Getting an annual physical can help your child stay healthy and ensure a successful school year!

We can get it done for less than you might think. Click here to find a location near you and book an appointment online! Everything from prepping clothes to getting doctor appointments scheduled is on this comprehensive list of parenting tips for the back-to-school season.

Importance of the Back-to-School Physical

Late summer often results in a rush to complete back-to-school physicals. Although some schools require an annual physical, particularly if your child is a student athlete, it is a smart idea for all parents to get their child a school physical annually. This is important for a variety of reasons, including:

• Opportunity to check developmental processes During a routine physical, your health professional will check all of your child’s body systems to ensure there are no apparent problems. This allows you to catch any problems early on and get your child the best early intervention resources available.
• Immunizations A routine physical involves checking your child’s immunization records and ensure that he or she is up to date with all required immunizations. This may be required information for your school to admit your child in the fall.
• Safety information Safety behaviors such as wearing a helmet, using a seatbelt, or securing firearms in the home may come up during the course of your child’s physical. These are all good reminders for behaviors that will keep your child safe over the coming years.
• Concerns for student athletes Student athletes may need additional discussion with a health care professional about healthy eating, safe exercise practices or how to manage a physical condition while playing sports.

How to Get the Most from a Back-to-School Physical

The best way to maximize the effectiveness of the school physical is to go in with a plan. Do you have specific concerns about your child’s health or development? Do you feel like he or she may be falling behind in some way? Keep in mind that apparent cognitive or behavioral problems, such as being distracted or disruptive in class, can sometimes have physical origins such as poor eyesight. Think about the following problems:

• Has your child complained of any pain, fatigue, dizziness or digestive problems?
• Have your child’s eating habits changed?
• Does your child seem anxious or depressed?
• Has your child reached important developmental milestones on time?
• Has your child experienced any learning difficulties or other classroom problems?
• How well does your child sleep?

Shop Strategically

Hitting the back-to-school sales without a plan is a sure way to overspend. Instead, make a strategic plan. Check your child’s stash of school supplies from last year to see if anything can be reused. Then, make a list of the recommended amount of supplies he or she will need.

Take a similar approach with clothes. Back-to-school time is a great opportunity to clear out your child’s entire closet. Have your child try on every piece of clothing to see what fits and what needs to be donated. This helps you shop strategically for the clothes needed most.

Make Healthy Lunch Plans

Planning ahead when it comes to lunches can make school mornings less hectic. If your child eats school lunches, make sure an adequate amount of money is deposited in the lunch account.

If you’re planning to pack lunches, make sure each meal contains a fruit or vegetable, protein source and complex carbohydrates (like whole wheat bread).

Go through Safety Protocols

Whether a child is walking to school alone or taking the bus, make sure that everyone is up to speed on safety protocols in the family.

Review everything from how to cross the street to how to contact a parent when things go amiss.

If older kids are home on their own after school, set up a check-in protocol whereby your kid checks in with you at work once they are home. An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure when it comes to safety.

Make a “Home Sick” Plan

It’s inevitable: Eventually, one of the kids will be home sick. When parents are working, having a sick kid day come up unexpectedly can create real chaos.

Make sure that you have a plan in place before the sick day shows up and you get the call that your child is sick at school. Go through your work schedules and determine which day of the week would be easier for one parent to stay home.

Also keep track of how many sick or personal days you have, so that you don’t have to figure out these logistics at the last minute. If need be, call in the support of a trusted neighbor or babysitter to be part of your sick day emergency plan.

Establish Healthy Sleep Patterns

Make it easier for you and your child to transition back to a school schedule. During the summer, it is easy to let children stay up late and sleep in. A week or more before the first day of school, get children to bed earlier and get them up around the time they would wake up for school.

With this practice schedule, children will be well-rested and prepared to get started on a full day of school activities when their bodies are accustomed to getting up early and enjoying the recommended amount of sleep needed for their age.

This helps parents as well, since children are less likely to be fussy when they are rested and prepared to return to school.

Eat Well

Food is fuel for the body. When keeping kids healthy is your priority, getting your child the healthy foods he or she needs for optimal health is essential.

Get ready for the onslaught of germs and bacteria at school by building up a child’s immune system with healthy foods and good eating habits.

Children and adults who eat balanced meals that include a range of fruits and vegetables often experience fewer colds. In addition, a nutritious breakfast appears to benefit children as they focus and perform at school.

Consider Getting Eye Exams

Kids aren’t always the most vocal when they start developing eye issues, that’s why it’s important to be proactive when it comes to getting their eyes checked.

Poor eyesight can affect everything from grades to sports performance; busy teachers, too, might not always notice small signs like squinting or tilting the head to one side.

If you have ever asked yourself, “Does my kid need glasses?”, schedule an appointment at a kid-friendly optometrist’s office before their schedule gets too hectic and schoolwork starts piling up.

Immunizations and Checkups

Children attending public school are required to have certain vaccinations. Immunizations must be kept up to date and flu vaccines are often recommended.

Annual physical exams and a vision exam may also be necessary for a child to return to school.

Avoid waiting for the last minute and schedule appointments early.

Attending to vision issues with new prescriptions or therapies can improve a child’s performance in school and on the field. Vaccinations, physicals and vision exams are all important to starting off the school year on the right foot.

To keep yourself organized and make the most of your time with your CareSpot health professional, make a list of the questions you have about your child’s health. Your clinician will likely address many of these points through the child’s routine physical. However, there will be time for you to ask questions during the exam. Grab a pen and paper to jot down responses to ensure you understand the information presented. Start by booking your appointment online today!