Getting what you need for daycare prepared in advance will be one less thing to worry about on the first day of drop-off! Here are some of the most important daycare essentials to bring.
Labels
Labels, labels, everywhere! Even when your child’s daycare classroom doesn’t have too many kids, you’re going to want to label all of your kid’s belongings. This is not only to keep your child’s items with them, but it will help teachers tell which items are your child’s as well.
For items like your diapers, wipes, diaper cream, and sunscreen, use a permanent marker and print your child’s name clearly. For clothes, water bottles, shoes, etc., try using a product like Mabel’s Labels. You can use these stickers on everything, and when you’re done, they easily come off so you can sell your items with ease.
Diapers and Wipes
If your child is still in diapers, you’re going to want to bring all their diaper essentials to daycare. But think big and send a case of diapers at a time. This will equip your child’s teacher with all the diapers your child will need for a short period. Wipes and diaper cream are also good to include.
When the teacher starts to get low on stock, they’ll inform you. After a couple of weeks, you’ll get a feel for how quickly your supplies go, so you’ll learn when you need to restock for your teacher.
Bottles and Food
When your child is young and still bottle feeding, you’ll need to provide baby bottles plus breast milk or formula milk. Typically, they need to be fully prepared, so make sure the bottles are ready to go when you’re heading out the door for daycare drop-off. At Giggle and Grow, bottles will be kept refrigerated and warmed in specially designed bottle warmers, not the microwave.
For older kids, bring a leak-proof water bottle so they can enjoy water throughout the day. And don’t forget to label your bottles!
If your infant is eating cereal or baby food, please bring that along to daycare so teachers have them on hand during snack time. Usually, for older kids, you’ll need to pack a lunch and snacks for their day at daycare. But at Giggle and Grow, we provide lunch and a healthy afternoon snack for children over the age of one!
Nap Time Supplies
Most daycares have cots or nap mats for your child to nap on. Depending on the daycare you attend means you may need different supplies. You may need to supply the mat, or at the very least, a cot cover and a blanket. Check with your daycare to know what you need to bring. Since accidents can happen, you may want to send backup bedding, just in case.
Sunscreen
Outdoor play is so fun, but the Arizona sun can be intense. While teachers will monitor your child and ensure they’re staying safe in the sun, it’s a good idea to pack some child-friendly sunscreen. A sun hat can also be added to their pack for extra coverage. A bucket-style hat is perfect for shielding their face from the sun.
Spare Clothing
One of the most important daycare essentials? Extra outfits. Send at least two full outfits to be stored in your child’s classroom. You may find that your toddler goes through more clothing changes per day than he did as a baby. More freedom (to eat solo, paint, play outside, etc.) means more mess!
Store each outfit in a resealable plastic bag. This will be extra handy in sending dirty or wet clothes home. Be sure to include extra socks and diapers/pull-ups/ underwear as well. If your child is an especially messy eater, consider packing a few bibs for your child to use.
Comfort Item
Even if your child is excited about daycare, packing a comfort item with them can help keep up the excitement (or soothe them if the excitement suddenly wears away). Something as simple as a small stuffed animal can help remind your child that all is well.
While a snuggly item is a great comfort item to pack, don’t send something irreplaceable. Items can still get lost at daycare, and the heartbreak of losing their favorite stuffy isn’t fun. If you can, get them to bring a loved toy that isn’t their favorite, or offer them a new stuffed animal that you can get backups of.
We’re ready to show you what high-quality childcare looks like!
Ready for Quality Childcare?
With these daycare essentials ready, your child will have the best time at daycare! And if you’re looking for a high-quality daycare in Gilbert, Arizona, look no further than Giggle and Grow. We strive to make a positive difference in the life of every child by partnering with parents to provide an environment that is safe, nurturing, educational, and individualized. Let us help your child learn, play, and grow!
