September is three weeks away. Which means the annual back-to-school scramble is about to begin — new shoes that will be scuffed by day two, a school bag they will lose by half term, and a haircut that should have been booked a fortnight ago.
If you are reading this and thinking “I should probably sort their hair out before school starts,” you are not alone. The last two weeks of August are the busiest period of our entire year. Here is how to get ahead of it.
Why the back-to-school rush happens
It is the same every year. Parents spend July enjoying the freedom of no school runs. The first two weeks of August disappear into holidays, day trips, and keeping everyone entertained. Then suddenly it is the 20th of August and you realise your child looks like they have been raised in the wild.
Every parent in the West Midlands has the same realisation in the same week. The result is that every children’s hair salon is fully booked when you need them most.
Book this week, not next week
This is not a hard sell — it is maths. We have a fixed number of chairs and a fixed number of hours in the day. Parents who book now get the day and time they want. Parents who call on the 28th of August get whatever slot happens to be left.
You can book online right now for any of our three locations. It takes about thirty seconds and you can pick the exact time that works for you.
What style works best for school
The best school haircut is one that looks good on day one and still looks reasonable by week four. That means avoiding anything too precise or high-maintenance — children do not style their own hair, and whatever you do in the morning will be destroyed by first break.
For boys, a clean short-back-and-sides with enough length on top to look smart without needing product is the safe bet. For girls, a trim that keeps hair out of their face without needing constant re-tying. If your child has curly or afro-textured hair, shaping that works with the curl pattern rather than fighting it lasts much longer between cuts.
Our stylists can advise on what works best for your child’s hair type and school requirements. Some schools are stricter than others about length and styles — if you know the rules, mention them when you book and we will work within them.
The “new school” haircut
Starting a new school is stressful enough without worrying about hair. If your child is moving to a new school in September — whether that is reception, secondary, or just a new primary — a fresh haircut is one of those small things that makes a surprisingly big difference to their confidence.
It sounds trivial, but looking smart on the first day matters to children more than they let on. A good haircut is an easy win.
First haircuts before reception
If your child is starting school for the very first time in September and has never had a professional haircut, now is the ideal time. Getting them comfortable in the salon chair before school starts is much better than trying to squeeze it in during a stressful first week.
At Kids Hair Play, first haircuts are what we do best. Our chairs are designed for small children, every station has a screen to keep them distracted, and our stylists are completely unfazed by crying, wriggling, or the occasional attempt to escape. We see first-timers every day — your child will not be the most dramatic one this week, we promise.
Sensory-friendly appointments
If your child has autism or sensory processing differences, starting school is already a huge transition. Adding a stressful haircut on top of that is not helpful.
We offer autism-friendly appointments with reduced noise, flexible positioning, and stylists who understand sensory needs. No rushing, no forcing, no judgement. If your child needs extra time or a different approach, we adapt. Same price, no extra charge.
Three salons, all open through August
We are open right through the summer holidays at all three locations:
Walk-ins are welcome when we have space, but for the back-to-school period we strongly recommend booking in advance. Mornings fill up first — if you want a mid-morning slot (the calmest time for younger children), book sooner rather than later.
September will arrive faster than you think. Your child’s shoes can wait until the last minute. The haircut cannot.
