What to bring for day care: 11 Essential Items to Pack for for Daycare

11 Essential Items to Pack for for Daycare

Your child’s daycare center may provide a list of items kids will need while they’re there, for a typical day and to comply with Covid guidelines. But what else should you pack, aside from a pack of tissues for yourself? Here’s your handy checklist of daycare must-haves and why they’re important.

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1. Labels
Slap your kid’s name on everything, from bottles to clothes. We love Mabel’s Labels, because they’re pre-printed with your child’s name, come in easy-to-use packs, and they stay put through hundreds of washings. Put a few waterproof labels on your little one’s bag, lunch bag, jacket and inside shoes. If your child has food allergies, order allergy labels, too.

2. Bottles & Liquids
Depending on how long your little one will be at daycare, you’ll need baby bottles plus breast milk or formula or, for older kids, a leak-proof water bottle. Be sure to pre-measure formula. Most daycares have refrigerators or freezers available to keep liquids cold.

3. Lunch Bag & Bibs
If your little one eats solid food, you’ll also need a lunch bag and bib. An insulated lunch bag is best, as it keeps food cool and can be used later on for picnics and other excursions. We love the PackIt lunch bags with built-in cold packs.

4. Diapers & Wipes
Gather up diapers in the right size, and send off as many as your little one will need at the start of each week, with a few extra just in case. It’s easiest to label diapers with a Sharpie. Be sure to send a labeled pack of wipes, too. And pack diaper cream if your little one is prone to rashes.

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5. Spare Clothes
Pack at least two spare outfits for your child. You never know when your little one will have a blowout or get food or art supplies on themselves, and childcare centers don’t usually have spare clothes in every size. Check size and seasonality of the spare clothes in your bag every two or three months, so your kiddo isn’t stuck in shorts two sizes to small in January. Oh, and don’t forget extra socks!

6. Medication
If your child takes medication regularly, you’ll need to bring a brand new bottle of that medication with you, in its original packaging. Most daycares have very specific requirements both to keep little ones safe and due to licensing, so be sure to follow those carefully so your baby’s medication is readily available and can be dispensed by daycare staff when needed.

7. Sunscreen & a Hat
You want your baby’s skin protected during outdoor playtime, so packing baby-friendly sunscreen is a must. Send along a labeled bottle of your favorite sunscreen, and add a sun hat for extra coverage.

8. Weather Gear
Fresh air is brain food for babies, and most daycares bring kids outside as often as possible, even if it’s just for a few minutes. That means toddlers might stomp around in puddles or stare up at snowflakes. Be sure to pack weather-appropriate gear (boots, jackets, hats) so your little one is comfortable, no matter the weather.

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9. A Family Photo
Many daycares put family photos up on their walls or have them in a readily available photo album. Little ones love to look at pics of their family members—just like we do. Check with your child’s school to see if they have specific requirements for what types of photos to send.

10. Lovies
Lovies can make the transition from home to daycare a little easier. While it’s a good idea to pack a favorite snuggly item, don’t send something irreplaceable (or buy a back-up), as blankies can disappear. Also, ask if your daycare center has policies on what you can and can’t bring. Order a pair of matching lovies, like the snuggly offerings from Bunnies by the Bay or the two-packs of security blankets from Copper Pearl, and you’ll be all set. A few days before the big drop-off day at daycare, hold the lovie to give it some of your comforting scent.

11. Lists of Your Little One’s Likes & Dislikes, Plus Paperwork
Does your baby love a good lullaby before naps, or hate avocados? Daycares usually send home paperwork that includes a getting-to-know-you child form, plus essential information like medical history and development and milestone updates. Fill out these forms and include any additional information your baby’s caregivers might need so they’re able to take good care of your sweet babe.

—Oz Spies

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What to Pack for Daycare | Daycare Checklist

October 02, 2019 | by Aa to Zz

Your maternity leave is ending and it’s time to head back to work. That means it’s time for your little one to begin attending daycare. Whether you’re a brand-new mom or you’ve done the daycare thing before, you’ve probably got a lot on your mind. You’re sleep-deprived and already receiving emails from work about an upcoming presentation. Plus, you’re probably feeling a bit emotional about your future transition.

What’s the best way to ease the passage from home to daycare?

Preparation!

Preparing your baby for daycare ahead of time will make your mornings easier and, while we can’t promise it will prevent a few tears on their first morning, it will help them get accustomed to their new environment more quickly.

How to Pack for Daycare

Once you’ve registered your child for daycare, you should receive detailed instructions about what they’ll need to bring. If your child is staying with a sitter, you’ll likely receive instructions on what to pack for the babysitter as well.

Most daycares will give you two lists — what your child should keep there, and what they’ll need to bring each day. Once you have those lists, you can start packing. Although each parent needs to come up with a packing system that works for them, it’s always a good idea to do the following.

1. Purchase a Second Diaper Bag

Use your regular diaper bag for the items that will go to and from school each day, such as bottles, formula, a treasured blanket, etc. Designate the second bag as one where you’ll carry all the items you’re supposed to keep stocked for your child at the school, such as extra diapers and wipes, diaper rash cream and a spare change of clothes. Having a second bag at the school will make it easier when it’s time to swap out, restock or update supplies as seasons change or baby grows.

As you’re doing this, check with your daycare to find out how they’ll store the extra items. Some may be happy to store your diaper bag in an easy-to-reach location. Others may provide boxes or bins to organize what you bring. If that’s the case, you’ll only need the second diaper bag on the days you’re restocking baby’s extra supplies.

2. Know the System

Every daycare has a system for storing the diapers, formula, clothes and other extras you bring from home. Inquire about what that system is and how much space you have available. Some facilities may offer a bin or box, while others have an entire shelf for your child’s extras. The more space you have, the more you can send in — which means you won’t have to restock quite so frequently. But if space is more limited, you won’t want to send more than they can accommodate.

Also, make sure you understand the daycare’s notification system. Will they tell you when supplies are low, or should you plan to send items in on a regular schedule? If your child runs out of something in the middle of the day, will the daycare center provide a backup or will they call you at work to come with supplies? Knowing their preference is a matter of respect for your child’s caregivers, but it can also prevent an untimely interruption in your workday.

3. Pack Ahead of Time

If you wait to pack until your baby’s first morning at daycare, you’re guaranteed to forget something. Why? You’ll be focusing on things like being on time, squeezing in one last feeding or cuddle and getting yourself out the door without drool on your blouse. Save yourself the stress and start packing baby’s daycare bags several days before their first day. Doing so gives you time to go through any supply lists the daycare provides, as well as your lists of what your little one needs. It also allows you to go shopping if you need to stock up on specific items, such as extra diapers.

If you’re packing something like breastmilk that you can’t stash in the bag ahead of time, set a reminder on your phone or stick a Post-It note reminder on the bag to remind yourself to add it as you run out the door.

4. Label Everything

You’ve chosen a daycare committed to caring for your child as lovingly as you do. However, they do have more than one child to keep up with. That means they have multiple sets of diapers, wipes, bottles and clothes sitting around their infant room. Even the best caregiver won’t always remember which socks belong with which baby, so help them out by labeling everything you pack. No, that doesn’t mean you have to label each diaper separately, but if you send in a bag or box of diapers, clearly print your child’s name on the outside. Put their initials on the tags of their clothing, put a nametag on their diaper bag and make sure to clearly label any breastmilk they’ll be using during the day.

If you aren’t crazy about labeling clothes with a permanent marker because of what might rub off onto your child’s skin, consider using iron-on labels for blankets, clothing or anything else they might come into close contact with during the day.

Daycare Checklist

Knowing how to pack can be helpful, but if you’re like most parents, you’re more worried about what you should pack. Your child’s daycare should provide a list of the supplies you’ll need to bring, but in general, always make sure your baby has an ample supply of the following things.

1. Diapers and Wipes

You’ve been with your child since the day they were born, so you know firsthand how many diapers and wipes they’re using during the day. Stock their school bag with enough extras for the week, then add a day’s worth of diapers into the bag that will travel with them to and from school each day. Pennsylvania law requires licensed daycare facilities to check a child’s diaper at least every two hours, or sooner if a child exhibits signs of discomfort or is obviously soiled. In the beginning, make sure to ask detailed questions about your child’s changes and keep track of how many diapers they’re going through each day. Over time, you can adjust your packing to accommodate their diapering needs at school.

And don’t forget to replace diapers with the next size up each time your child grows! There’s nothing worse than trying to squeeze a baby into too-small diapers because you neglected to restock their school supply.

2. Diaper Cream

Every baby will have a diaper rash at some point. Make sure you’ve provided daycare employees with the cream or ointment you want them to use to treat it, especially if your child has sensitive skin or you prefer a specific brand.

3. Extra Clothing

How many babies do you know who can make it through an entire day without changing their clothes at least once? Diapers leak, they spit up, bottles drip — it’s always something. Plan to send two to three spare outfits in their daily diaper bag, but also store two to three seasonally appropriate outfits with the diapers and wipes they keep at school. When you’re packing clothing, remember to send extra socks and shoes if your child is old enough to toddle around. Many parents make the mistake of only sending an extra T-shirt and pants, but many times when accidents occur, they soil socks and shoes too. Make a point to pack a complete outfit so your baby can stay comfortable throughout the day.

As a rule of thumb: If your child comes home in a different outfit than they left in, assume you’ll need to bring one or two replacement outfits when they go back to school the next day. If you don’t replace what they’ve worn, they’ll be without a spare when they need it.

Although it can be tempting to send a couple of outfits to school and then forget about them, make sure to regularly replace them with seasonally appropriate choices in the correct size. Babies grow fast, which means the onesies you sent to school last month may not fit this month. If you aren’t sure what your child needs, make sure to ask their caregivers regularly so you can keep them appropriately stocked at all times.

4. Crib Sheet, Pacifier or Other Comfort Items

When naptime comes, your child needs to feel comfortable and secure. Some daycares provide and launder crib sheets, while others require parents to send them in and wash them as needed. But a crib sheet isn’t enough to ensure a successful naptime. Always include a light blanket, as well as a pacifier, lovey or another age-appropriate comfort item in your child’s diaper bag as well.

If your child relies on a pacifier for soothing at naptime or during fussy spells, make sure to send two or three with them each day. That way, they won’t go without if one gets dropped or misplaced during the day.

Also, make sure to find out whether the daycare launders the sheets, or if they expect you to wash and provide fresh bedding regularly. Knowing how this works will help you plan as you’re looking at what you need to bring each day, each week and each month.

5. Bibs

Even young babies can benefit from having a bib on during feedings. Keeping a supply of bibs at daycare gives your child’s caregivers a way to prevent unwanted outfit changes after each meal. If your child is teething or tends to drool or make a mess while eating, make sure to send extras so their caregivers can swap them out as needed.

6. Medications

If your child takes any medications, make sure they have them on hand each day at school. Clearly label them before handing them over to the teachers for safekeeping. Some schools may require you to fill out certain authorization forms to administer medication, so make sure to communicate with your child’s daycare over their policies and procedures.

Questions to Ask Your Childcare Provider

If it’s your first experience with daycare — or you’ve recently switched childcare providers — there are a few essential questions to ask before your child’s first day.

1. How Do You Want Me to Store and Send Breastmilk?

If you exclusively feed your child breastmilk, you’ll be sending it in bags or bottles for them to consume during the day. Some facilities will prefer you to send it thawed, and others will store it in a freezer as long as you have clearly labeled it. Asking upfront will help you know what to send and prevent any of your precious breastmilk from going to waste during the day.

2. How Should I Pack Food and Snacks?

Once your baby is a bit older, he or she will start eating cereal, fruits and vegetables. If you’ll be sending in baby food, cereal or other snacks, talk with your child’s caregivers about how they prefer you to package it. Some daycare facilities will prefer that you send in a box of dried cereal and let the caregivers measure it out as needed. Other facilities may prefer that you send it in pre-portioned amounts that are ready for them to add water or formula when it’s time to eat.

3. Do I Need to Pack Utensils?

If your baby is eating cereal or baby food, make sure to check on whether or not you need to send spoons and bowls along with the food itself.

4. What Happens If I Forget Something?

Even the most organized of parents will forget to replace a pack of diapers or underestimate the number of outfits their baby will go through in a given day. To put your mind at ease, talk with your child’s caregivers about how they handle situations like this. Do they keep extras on hand for emergencies? Will they call you if your child runs out of something? Asking questions will make you feel better, and it can also help you express preferences that will guide your child’s caregiver if the situation arises.

Visit Us at Aa to Zz Childcare and Learning Center

Dropping your little one off at daycare for the first time can be stressful, no matter how many other children you have. It’s hard to say goodbye and leave your child in the care of another adult. That’s why you must find a daycare center you trust with the one you love most. At Aa to Zz Childcare and Learning Center, our loving infant staff has committed to caring for your child as they would theirs. They monitor and encourage your child’s development in a loving atmosphere designed to encourage their growth and put your mind at ease.

Our specially trained staff enjoy working closely with parents to make sure their little one is comfortable and happy in their new daycare environment. Although your child won’t be the only one in our Infant Room, you can rest assured we will treat them with the personalized attention they need. If you’re looking for a comfortable, safe environment for your infant, schedule a visit at one of our eight locations today, or contact us for more information.

what is possible, necessary and impossible

Children spend 9-10 hours a day in kindergarten. Therefore, they need personal items, such as clothing. But besides this, children love to bring their toys and even sweets with them to the garden. We figure out what a child must have in kindergarten, and what to bring with him is strictly prohibited.

What things the child needs to take to kindergarten

Change of clothes in group . A child can easily get his T-shirt or pants wet at dinner or go to the toilet not very “clean”. Therefore, educators always ask to bring changeable panties, socks, pants and a T-shirt. It is also good if the child has one T-shirt with long sleeves, the other with short sleeves – he can choose what to wear depending on the temperature in the room. The child also needs shoes: teachers sometimes insist that these be sandals, and not soft slippers or slippers, but here you need to focus on the child. If it is convenient for him, then you can wear any shoes – the main thing is that the heel is solid.
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Clothing for classes. Most often, for sports and music activities, you need special shoes (Czech shoes or ballet flats), pants and a T-shirt. Educators sometimes ask for a white T-shirt and black shorts or pants, but this is definitely not a requirement. It can be aesthetically pleasing to have children dressed alike, but if a child wants to wear a pink T-shirt and blue pants, then this is not against the requirements.

Change of clothes for walking. nine0008 Parents often neglect this item, but it’s great if the child has at least interchangeable mittens and interchangeable warm socks with them. Of course, in kindergartens, wet clothes are dried on batteries, but they do not always have time to dry.