This is the stage to lock in the essentials, before sizes sell out and alteration queues get long. Confirm your costume order with your studio, then check that shoes, tights and undergarments are all in good condition and the right size. Growing dancers especially should be re-measured rather than relying on last year's fit.

As full run-throughs ramp up, this is when small gaps in the dance bag start to show. Make sure warm-up gear is packed for cooler backstage areas, and start a proper emergency kit rather than relying on borrowing from other dance mums.

With the concert date closing in, it's time to trial the hairstyle your teacher has asked for rather than testing it for the first time backstage. Whatever the style, practise it once at home so concert morning is calm rather than chaotic. This is also when costumes should come out of the wardrobe and into proper storage so they arrive crease-free and ready to wear.

In the last few days before curtain, run through your studio's makeup requirements and do a full trial face at home, stage lighting washes out colour far more than you'd expect, so it's worth testing rather than guessing on the day. This is also the moment to do one last check of every costume, shoe and accessory against your studio's list.

On the day itself, it's all about having everything on hand so quick changes stay quick. Pack a labelled bag for each costume, keep your emergency kit within reach, and don't forget snacks and water, performance days are long and dancers need fuel to keep their energy up between numbers.