15 Items Your Child Needs For Daycare (Baby & Toddler)

Dropping your child off for their first day of daycare is a big event! You want them to be happy and well cared for, whether they are heading off to a child care centre or to a home daycare. Help ensure that your growing baby has everything they need with our list of 15 items your child needs for daycare – for both babies and toddlers.

Most daycare centres and homecare providers will give you a list of supplies that you need to provide for your child. Things like diapers, an extra change of clothes, and even a travel crib will be up to you to bring.

However, there are also some smaller daycare items you might not think about, especially if this is your first child. My two-year-old daughter, Quinn, currently stays at a child care centre while I’m at work. Based upon my experience with her, and her 3 sisters, attending childcare over the years, I’ve created this list of what you need to pack for daycare for your baby or toddler.

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What to Pack for Daycare

Some providers will want you to leave your child’s personal belongings at the daycare, while others might prefer that you bring a diaper bag of supplies. If you are carrying a bag back and forth on a daily basis, invest in a diaper bag that is going to last. Choose a bag with strong zippers and handles, lots of pockets. and that is easy to clean.

Here are some more tips when packing for daycare:

• Pack similar items together, like diapers, wipes, and rash cream
• Pack bottles and food separate from personal care products
• Make sure any container lids are tightly secured
• Ensure extra clothes are right for the season and are easy to put on
• Label everything with your child’s name
• Check the daycare center’s policy regarding bringing your own food or cloth diapers

Read: 11 Essential Items For Two-Year-Old’s

Daycare Packing List for Babies

1. Extra Clothes – Pack an extra outfit for your child in case they have an accident or spill at daycare. You may want to send a sweater if the centre is air conditioned. Most daycare centres and homecare providers will allow you to keep the clothes on-site. Remember to label each item.

2. Diapers – Send your child off to daycare with a good supply of diapers. Normally, your provider will store these for you and let you know when to bring some more. I usually buy a Huggies Mega Pack and send half a box (about 70 diapers) at a time, which lasts awhile.

3. Diaper Cream – If your baby or toddler is prone to diaper rash, send in your baby’s usual diaper cream, so that her toosh-toosh is protected. I’ve used Penaten diaper rash cream with 4 babies and it is the absolute best at quickly healing sore baby bums!

4. Wipes – Most daycare centers provide baby wipes, but you might want to send in your own if your baby has sensitive skin. Start with a big pack and ask your provider for a heads-up when it’s almost empty.

5. Bibs  – Babies and toddlers are super messy eaters! To save on frequent wardrobe changes at daycare, send in a bib to protect your child’s clothing at meal times. If your baby is teething, a cloth bib to soak-up drool will help to prevent a rash around her mouth or a soggy shirt.

6. Sun Hat – Most daycare providers will insist that you send your child to daycare with a sun hat! Makes good sun-sense! Choose one with a wide brim to protect the entire face and neck area. I like this one because it is lightweight, adjustable to fit for your child’s head for years, UV resistant, washable, and comes in lots of cute designs for boys and girls.

7. Soother – If your baby is attached to a soother, like my first 3 girls were, you will want to have a stash of them ready at daycare. As you know, soothers get lost all the time, so keep a few in your daycare diaper bag or at the childcare centre if allowed. Use a fastener to attach the soother to your babies clothes so it doesn’t get dropped on the ground or lost.

8. Bottles – Make certain to find out your daycare’s policy on bottles. Some centres are capable of storing frozen breast milk in their freezer. Some may want you to send in bottles of fresh breast milk every day. If sending in formula, measure the required amounts in bottles so all your provider has to do is add water.

9. Sippy Cup – If your older baby is well on his or her way to drinking out of a cup, I recommend providing your daycare with your child’s preferred sippy cup. My kids were all very picky about which style of cup they liked, and would barely drink any milk or water at daycare out of a cup they didn’t recognize. They all liked this one…

Read: How To Choose Between The 12 And 18 Month Parental Leave

Daycare Packing List for Toddlers

1. Extra Clothes – Your toddler is probably still mastering feeding himself and may be into potty training – both good reasons why he needs an extra set of clothes at daycare. You may want to include several sets of underwear and pants if your sweetie is trying to get by without diapers.

2. Diapers or Pull-ups – Your daycare provider may wish for you to send diapers along even if your child has begun potty training. Perhaps your toddler naps with a pull-up on or wears one during day trips. Having potty training underwear on-hand will help your child get used to using the toilet, while still keeping her or him dry.

3. Bibs – Now that your toddler is eating foods on her own, send her off to daycare with a bib to keep her clothes clean. Opt for a large bib that has pockets at the bottom to stop falling bits of food from landing in the lap. I like these easy to clean, washable, silicone bibs with comfortable fabric around the neck.

4. Sun Hat and Sunscreen – A good daycare will set aside lots of time for outdoor play, so send in a sun hat so your toddler can enjoy the outdoors without getting burned. Most daycares will also ask that you provide a bottle of sunscreen just for your little guy or gal – which your provider will reapply throughout the day.

5. Comfort Toy – If your kids are like mine, they have a favourite stuffy that they are attached to. To help comfort your toddler during their time at daycare, ask if you can send in a special toy for them to cuddle with at naptime or if they are upset. I recommend choosing a stuffed animal or blanket that is kept at the centre or homecare.

6. Training Cup – You can encourage your child to drink like a “big-kid” and prevent future orthodontic work, by sending in a training cup for him to use at daycare. Like I mentioned above, my girls would get dehydrated if they didn’t have their usual model of cup to drink from.

15 Items Your Child Needs To Start Daycare

Whether this is your first child or your fifth, starting daycare is a big step for both baby and mom. You probably have many mixed emotions about leaving your toddler or baby in someone else’s care. That is completely normal, and you and your child will quickly adjust to this new routine.

I hope this article has helped you to feel more comfortable with what to expect at a childcare centre or home daycare, and answered the question, “what supplies does my child need to start daycare”?

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