Daycare Essentials Checklist: What to Pack for Daycare
What are the Daycare Essentials for Infants or Toddlers?
Daycare is an emotional time for everybody.
I mean, who knew dropping off your little one could feel like you’re sending them off to college already?
So, if you want one less thing to worry about when the overwhelming drop-off happens, getting what you need for daycare prepared in advance will make your life so much easier!
No more last-minute panics or finding out you forgot something essential halfway through the day (been there, done that, got the T-shirt).
That’s why I’ve compiled this list of essentials that my daycare advised me to bring.
There are also a few things I added as we gained more experience with the daycare because, let’s face it, moms always know best.
*This list applies to toddlers or infants.
To make this list more manageable, I’ve split it up into two sections:
- ongoing/regular daycare must-have items
- seasonal daycare items
But that’s not all!
I’ve also sprinkled in some of my top tips from one mom to another to keep in mind while you’re choosing items for your daycare essentials.
If you’re ready, let’s jump right in!
if you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Ongoing Daycare Essentials
1. Diapers and Wipes
If your baby still needs to be potty-trained, you will need to send a full pack of diapers and wipes every month or so to the daycare.
Let’s weigh the pros and cons of packing cloth vs. disposable diapers for daycare.
Cloth:
Cloth diapers have a lot of benefits, such as being more environmentally friendly, more cost-effective in the long run, and gentle on your little one’s skin.
Unfortunately, cloth diapers have some drawbacks, especially when your little one starts going to daycare, which might make disposable diapers the more attractive option.
The biggest challenge with cloth diapers is that many daycares won’t accommodate them, so you’ll need to determine your daycare’s rules.
If they don’t, you’ll need to switch over to disposables.
However, if they do accommodate these and it is your preference, you’ll need to make sure you include your other cloth diapering essentials like reusable wipes and a good wet bag.
Disposables:
Even though we love how cloth diapers are more environmentally friendly, my daycare wouldn’t accommodate them.
Fortunately, this wasn’t an issue for us as we had already made the switch to using disposables.
While cloth diapers might save you some money upfront, the time and effort needed to wash, dry, and fold them (not to mention the extra water, electricity, and detergent) made the savings feel pretty insignificant.
I’d rather spend that time playing with my little one than wrestling with the laundry!
For disposable diapers, we tried a few different brands of diapers when she was born.
We had heard that some brands are better for certain shapes of babies. We were surprised that every brand worked fine as long as the size matched her weight, and we made frequent changes.
Overall, we found that Pampers diapers resulted in fewer blowouts.
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can get 20% off diapers in a subscription. Get the Amazon Prime 30-day FREE trial here, which you can cancel at any time. No questions asked.
For wipes, we use the Kirkland Signature Tencel Baby Wipes from Costco, as they’re cheap, durable, and don’t irritate my baby’s skin.
If your baby has sensitive skin, many moms have recommended these products:
- Diapers made from hypoallergenic and sustainable materials like these Honest Company Diapers or these Pampers Pure Diapers
- Water Wipes: They’re 99.9% pure water and 0.1% fruit extract. They’re the purest wipes available.
2. Diaper Cream
You should also include a diaper cream in your daycare essentials kit.
We love this diaper balm because it’s travel size, organic, and works fast!
I’ve heard that if you’re a cloth-diapering family, it works with cloth diapers, too!
3. Blanket
You’ll want to bring a blanket for nap times at the daycare.
In the spring and summer, I often give the daycare a large muslin blanket to keep the baby warm.
These are incredibly useful because they’re versatile. Y
In the fall and winter time, I give the daycare a thicker baby blanket.
4. Crib Sheets
Most daycares have cots for little ones to nap on.
You’ll have to bring a crib sheet for the cot.
Our daycare recommended bringing 1 for immediate use and a spare just in case the first one got dirty.
5. Bottles with Formula or Breast Milk
For young babies, you can add bottles to your daycare supplies list.
I recommend purchasing an extra complete set of bottles.
That way, you’re not constantly cleaning bottles in the evenings to prepare them for daycare the next day.
Don’t forget the formula or breast milk, depending on what your baby’s drinking.
6. Sippy cups
For older babies, add sippy cups to your daycare list.
Our daycare asked us to bring one sippy cup for milk and one for water for easier cleaning.
When we had our little one, we decided not to use a traditional sippy cup because we heard from a nurse that these might result in tooth decay and speech issues.
We gave our baby water through a regular cup. Naturally, the water spilled everywhere!
We heard from a fellow mom about this trainer cup. It’s exactly like a regular cup, except there are minimal spills!
The baby drinks from the rim like any regular cup.
You only have to worry about the liquid inside spilling out if you tilt the cup and apply pressure to the inside rim.
The little one can whip it around or throw it on the ground – maybe a few drops will come out, but that’s it!
One thing I should note if you have two little ones:
While I love these sippy cups, when my toddler started seeing my preschooler (who attends the same daycare) using this thermos water bottle, she now needed it as well. (Because, well, you know, kids.)
I really didn’t want to buy another bottle, but then the teacher told me this hilarious story: my little one decided she wanted one of these so badly that she had taken to regularly chasing another kid with that same water bottle around the room, trying to pry it out of her hands!
So, I decided to test whether my toddler could even use this water bottle by pressing the button and then closing the lid.
It turns out she could, so I bought another one for her to use at daycare.
The only issue is that she had chewed off the straw within the week!
Instead of getting a whole new water bottle, I got replacement straws, which are much cheaper.
I was worried she was going to chew off this straw as well, but she didn’t.
One tip about these straws: Make sure you clean them regularly, as things can get trapped in them.
7. Bib
Bibs weren’t initially on our daycare supply list.
However, we eventually gave it to them anyway after our daughter kept coming home with food, paint, and marker stains on her clothes.
Since she’s had the bib at daycare, there have been minimal or no stains!
There are two bibs I like for different ages.
For 6-12 months, I loved these silicone bibs because they’re easy to put on and wipe down.
The pocket does a great job of catching food. I like these ones particularly because they’re larger and softer than other silicone bibs I’ve seen.
When she was one, I switched to this bib with sleeves.
It’s light, waterproof, and has an elastic at the wrist to prevent food from going up.
It was perfect for us at one year when our little one started being able to move her silicone bib out of the way and get the food all over her clothes!
If you have a small infant at the daycare, consider giving your infant baby bandana drool bibs just to minimize the laundry load.
8. Pacifier
If your baby uses pacifiers, be sure to include this in your daycare supplies kit.
I would also consider bringing a clip-on so the pacifier doesn’t fall on the ground. The clip-on also works with teethers like this one.
9. Extra clothing
Your child is going to need extra clothing at the daycare in case there are diaper blowouts, your kid slips in mud, etc.
Our daycare recommended always having two extra outfits in her cubby.
For babies:
For babies, don’t feel like you need to send them in fancy outfits. Pajamas will do. It’ll be less work for the teachers.
For the first 3-6 months or so, my baby just went through a rotation of sleepers.
I actually got Zipper pajamas, which are convenient (as compared to button pajamas) for getting the baby quickly in and out of their clothes.
BUT 2-way zipper pajamas are even better because you don’t have to zip from the top down to do diaper changes.
You can just zip from the bottom up.
Even though these are pricey, I regret not getting them because they would have been particularly handy at night or when it’s slightly chilly in the baby’s room.
For toddlers:
This is what we included in our toddler’s daycare cubby.
For the spring and summer, we included:
- One t-shirt (In my experience, the older the toddler gets, the more difficult it becomes to get them in and out of a onesie with the three buttons you have to snap together around their diaper. Save yourself time and get the regular t-shirts.)
- One long-sleeve shirt
- One pair of shorts
- One pair of pants
- One pair of socks (I prefer the anti-slip ones. Even though my daughter is walking well, she can be a little wobbly when she runs. This is an extra precautionary measure.)
- One hoodie
- One light jacket for outdoor time (in case it gets cold)
For the fall and winter, we included:
- Two long-sleeve shirts
- Two pairs of pants
- One sweater
If your little one is potty-trained, you’ll want to bring an extra pair of underwear as well for accidents.
Related: Baby Clothes Checklist: Essentials from 0-3 Months to First Year
10. An extra pair of shoes
If your child is walking, you might want to add shoes to your daycare essentials list.
Some daycares have a policy about how kids always have to wear shoes, even when they nap!
It’s so that if there’s an emergency, everyone can quickly leave the facility without having to locate and put on shoes for the little ones!
My daycare asked us to bring one pair of shoes for indoors and one for outdoors. They can be the same shoes if you’d like, i.e., two pairs of identical shoes.
If you’re uncertain about what type of shoes to get, I highly recommend getting ones that offer great support and promote natural foot and balance development, like these Stride Rite sneakers.
These are genuine leather with a rubber sole, so they’re soft and durable.
There’s a memory foam sole, so it’s extra comfortable.
They’re also easy to put on with the Velcro strap, so you don’t have to mess around with laces, which the daycare teachers will appreciate!
11. Labels
You’ll need to label all of your kids’ belongings so teachers can tell which item your kid’s vs. another kid’s at the daycare.
You can use a Sharpie pen on the plastic wrapping for your diapers, wipes, diaper cream, and sunscreen.
However, I don’t recommend using it on anything else, such as clothes, water bottles, etc.
Why?
Ink is tough to remove, especially if you plan to sell the items later, and you’ll definitely want to sell these items to recoup some of your costs.
Mom Tip: Sell your baby things when they are done using them (provided you’re not anticipating needing them for another child).
Baby products are constantly updated. The sooner you sell them, the better price point you can get.
I also recommend selling them online through marketplaces like Craigslist, Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, Letgo, eBay, and Varagesale.
If you sell them at a yard sale or through a children’s consignment store, you’ll likely get significantly less for them.
If you need to get rid of them fast because you need the cash and you’re experiencing warm weather, you can sell your clothes at a yard sale. Here are tips on how to host a yard sale to maximize your earnings.
So, how do you label baby clothes, etc.?
What our daycare recommended and what we initially did was go with Mabel’s Labels.
I initially got their daycare starter label pack because it was on sale.
When I ran out of those labels, I got the clothing label pack. You can put clothing tags on everything, including shoes, bottles, Tupperware, and bags!
I could have gotten the clothing label pack to begin with.
If you sign up for their newsletter, you can get 20% off. (When you scroll to the bottom of the page, you’ll see the newsletter sign-up box at the bottom.)
We also ended up purchasing labels from Oliver’s Labels for daycare at the recommendation of another parent.
We got their Mini Labels, and they’ve been great.
Don’t forget to join their email list as well as they regularly send out sale alerts.
12. Daycare Bag
Our daycare provided a cubby area with a plastic box in which we could leave all our daughter’s belongings.
If your daycare doesn’t provide this, you can bring a large reusable shopping bag or beach bag.
I recommend checking the storage area in advance to ensure it fits properly.
You’ll also want a large bag to transport goods to and from the daycare.
I know some parents use their diaper backpack, but I find a plain plastic or cloth shopping bag works just as well.
Having bottles in a cooler bottle bag is more manageable if you’re carrying them.
This bag also has a pocket in front for a spare outfit you need to bring, etc.
13. Special Item
When your little one goes to daycare for the first time, bringing a comfort item from home is helpful.
This might be a blankie, a stuffed animal, a soother, etc.
It’ll help make the transition smoother.
If your little one needs to hold onto a particular item to nap, remember to bring that to the daycare as well!
14. Family photo
Giving your daycare a family photo allows them to get to know your family.
It’s also a great tool the teachers can use to comfort your little one when he or she’s at daycare.
This is especially useful in the first few weeks when your little one is getting used to the separation!
Our daycare actually put up all the family photos on a tree so the kids could point and look at them throughout the day. It was such a great touch!
15. Medications or items for allergies
If your little one needs medications or substitute products for allergies, this is a daycare must-have!
Remember to include this in your daycare items list!
If your child has complex medication needs, it can also be helpful for the daycare teachers if you include a pill box to organize medications and a schedule if needed.
16. Food
My daycare provided all meals and snacks.
However, I know some daycares allow or request you provide food.
If you have to provide food, these glass containers are great for pureed baby food. They even have measurement markings for portioning out food.
If you have an older child, I like this Bento Box. It’s a useful item to have for on-the-go meals.
I like how there are additional separate compartments. Sometimes, you want that separate container for sauces.
I like how my toddler can grow with it and use it in preschool and later years as well.
17. Tissues
My daycare requested 1 box of Kleenex each month.
If your daycare is flexible and won’t lose items, I highly recommend checking if you can give them reusable tissues instead, as it’s cheaper in the long run.
These are the reusable tissues that my family uses when we’re at home.
Seasonal Daycare Items
18. Sunscreen
If your daycare takes the kids outside for outdoor play, it’s a good idea to provide sunscreen to your daycare provider. (Provided the baby’s over six months old; as I understand, they shouldn’t use it under six months.)
Getting a mineral sunscreen for babies (made without oxybenzone, parabens, or added oils and fragrances) is better than a chemical sunscreen.
Here are a host of benefits detailing why mineral sunscreen is better than chemical sunscreen. One big reason is that it works as soon as it’s applied.
Chemical sunscreens take 20 minutes to be absorbed into the skin before it starts working.
Another essential thing to remember is that daycare staff don’t have time to manage one kid’s sunscreen application time and everything else they must do.
And since sunscreen needs to be reapplied every few hours, it’s a good idea to dress your little one in breathable UPF 50+ long-sleeved shirts for added protection.
You may want to order a size up to get more use (you can always roll up the sleeves).
19. Swimsuit, towel, water shoes
If your daycare has a kiddie pool, pack a swimsuit and towel for your child.
If the teachers take the children to the water park, you’ll also want to pack water shoes.
For swimsuits, I highly recommend getting one that has a long-sleeved shirt like this one with UPF 50+ Protection. Here’s a boy’s version here.
For towels, we often packed a small towel we had around the house, but readers have mentioned how much they love this organic baby hooded towel.
I’ve heard it’s luxuriously soft!
Plus, it is a premium, thick material and absorbs well.
I will probably get this for my little one if my soft towel wears out. I might even try to find an adult version for myself!
For kids’ water shoes, crocs are a solid option!
They’re light and easy to put on and take off. My daughter can put hers on herself.
My daughter doesn’t just wear hers in the pool and waterpark. She also wears it in the backyard, park, and beach. It’s just a comfortable pair of shoes for her.
I like that it’s well-made, easy to clean, and protects her little feet from scratches.
20. Swim Diapers
If your little one is still in diapers, another must-have essential for daycare is swim diapers, designed for water use.
These did the trick for my little one in keeping the messes in! They’re also quite stretchy.
21. Sun hat
During the late spring and summer times, our daycare recommended that we give them a hat for our daughter.
I particularly like this sun hat because it has a wide brim to protect the face and neck.
22. Toque and scarf
Our daycare suggested that we bring a toque and scarf for her outdoor time in the winter.
Instead of bringing two separate pieces, another mom recommended I get an all-in-one toque and scarf.
I’m so glad we did! It’s so much faster than putting on both pieces each time. You also don’t have to worry about one piece going missing. I’m sure the daycare staff appreciate these features, too!
23. Winter shoes
Winter shoes are another must-have at the daycare during the winter.
When I first looked for winter shoes for my toddler, I scoured the local mom’s Facebook page for ideas.
Time and time again, I would hear about bogs.
These shoes are not cheap, but they’re worth every penny.
They’re insulated and warm! The boots are high, so the socks stay dry even when playing in the snow.
They’re also light! With the handles, they’re easy for little ones to put on. There’s no additional Velcro to manage!
At our daycare, the kids go outside twice a day. With her also coming home and going to daycare in her winter shoes, it’s a huge time saver when kids can get their shoes on themselves.
24. Winter Snowsuit
My daycare asked me to bring waterproof pants, a jacket, and mittens.
Instead of bringing three separate pieces, I got an all-in-one winter snowsuit instead!
I love it because it saves time to get on and off. I used to have a two-piece snowsuit, which was a PAIN to manage with a wriggling toddler.
This one also has a fleece lining and built-in mittens (so you won’t lose it in the snow)! It comes in a variety of colors.
When should you drop off what your child needs at daycare?
We dropped it off the week before for our child’s first day at daycare.
Doing this gave us time to put everything in her cubby and get it organized.
My daughter also had time to look around the space and meet the teachers.
I highly recommend dropping your daycare items off in advance.
The first day you drop off your little one at daycare is often emotional and teary.
Our daycare also said that it’s best that when we do the drop-off, we don’t hang around too long.
The longer parents stay – the more difficult it will be for little ones to adapt and accept their new surroundings and situation.
If you want to get in and out quickly, you’ll be rushed to drop off and explain all of your kid’s belongings. You also don’t want to forget anything!
It’s best just to drop off your daycare supplies in advance!
Final Thoughts on Daycare Essentials
Every daycare is different and has different practices.
You can start by asking your daycare for a supply list and then adapting the list to your situation.
To save money on costs, here are two resources that I found helpful for daycare must-haves:
- Amazon provides you with a one-time 10% discount on select items from your registry 60 days before your child’s arrival date.
- If you are an Amazon Prime member, the one-time discount is 15%! Amazon Prime also comes with 20% off diapers and baby food when you have more than 5 subscriptions. The best part about this membership is 2-day FREE shipping and FREE access to movies, TV shows, music, and books. You can cancel your other subscriptions!
There are also FREE 90-day returns on baby store purchases. Get the FREE 30-day Amazon Prime trial here, which you can cancel at any time.
You can also get a welcome gift box if you’re an Amazon Prime member and meet certain requirements like a minimum spend. Here are the specific eligibility requirements in the US. Here are the eligibility requirements in Canada.
- Before purchasing items on Amazon, go through Rakuten first!
- Companies pay a commission to Rakuten for advertising on their site. Rakuten then shares that commission with you. Depending on the rates, you could get up to 40% of your purchase price back!
- Rakuten is FREE to sign up.
For U.S. residents, Rakuten will give you a welcome bonus of $10 after making your first online purchase of $25 or more.
For Canadians, it’s a $5 welcome bonus for signing up.
You can read more about how to use Rakuten here!
Recap of Daycare Supplies for Babies and Toddlers
- Diapers and wipes: Pampers diapers, Kirkland Signature Tencel Baby Wipes, Water Wipes, Honest Company Diapers, Pampers Pure Diapers
- Diaper cream
- Blanket: large muslin blanket, winter blanket
- Crib sheet
- Bottles with Formula or Breast Milk
- Trainer cup
- Bib: silicone bibs or bibs with sleeves
- Pacifier with clip-on
- Extra clothing
- Extra shoes
- Labels: Sharpie pen, Mabel’s Labels
- Daycare Bag: beach bag, cooler bottle bag
- Special Item
- Family photo
- Medications or items for allergies
- Food: baby pureed food glass containers, Bento Box.
- Tissues
- Sun protection: mineral sunscreen for babies, breathable UPF 50+ long–sleeve shirts
- Swimsuit, towel, and water shoes: girl’s swimsuit with UPF 50+ Protection, boy’s swimsuit with UPF 50+ Protection, organic baby hooded towel, crocs
- Swim diapers
- Sun hat
- All-in-one toque and scarf
- Winter Boots
- Winter Snow Suit
Related Articles About Daycare Items:
- 6-Month-Old Baby Must Haves
- What I actually used from my hospital bag checklist
- Best Tips for flying with a baby
- Free Baby Things
- Baby on a Budget: 18 Tips You Need to Know
- Pregnancy Products I Couldn’t Live Without
- Practical Gifts for Baby Showers
- Baby Clothes Needed for First 3 Months to 1 Year
Enjoyed this post?
It would be great if you could share it and follow me on Pinterest or Facebook.
