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When the time comes for us to send our kids to daycare, there may be a thousand questions swirling around in our heads. Are they ready? Will they make friends? Will they be okay? Will I be okay?
It’s completely normal to have some daycare transition anxiety, especially when it’s coupled with return-to-work anxiety. Amidst all the emotional struggle, it’s easy to gloss over the practical stuff – what do we actually need for daycare? A lot, turns out.
Daycares usually provide a list of items we will need to bring on our child’s first day, but it only includes the basics. There are some additional things we will probably need in order to ensure our children can get through the day smoothly.
Here is the list of everything I purchased and packed for my toddler for a full day at daycare.
Toddler daycare essentials: everything I bought to prepare my toddler for daycare
1. Labels
The number one rule of daycare – label everything. I’ve had enough of my son’s things mysteriously go missing from daycare to learn that everything needs a label.
Peel-off labels are good for containers and food items, and should have enough space to include our child’s name, date, and an item description. Every new day means new labels, so I buy ones that are cheap and plentiful, easy to write on, easy to peel off, and waterproof.
2. Name stamp
Peel-off labels don’t stick to everything. For items like clothes and schoolbags that don’t need a date or description, name stamps are better. Stamps can be used on cloth or fabric items, and they don’t fade off easily even after multiple washes.
Name Stamp for Clothing Kids, Waterproof, Double Sided Custom Name Stamp for Kids Clothes (Amazon paid link)
3. Utensils
Most daycares provide plastic spoons, but I still pack one in his bag as a backup. Although infants will probably still use their hands to eat, toddlers should be able to use simple utensils to pick up and eat food.
I like the Bentgo spoon and fork sets – they come with a nice little storage case, are available in lots of fun prints and colors, and are dishwasher safe. They’re not cheap though, so I also bought some bulk colorful plastic spoons which fit perfectly into the Bentgo cases.
Bentgo Kids Utensil Set – Reusable Plastic Fork, Spoon & Storage Case – BPA-Free Materials, Easy-Grip Handles, Dishwasher Safe – Ideal for School Lunch, Travel, & Outdoors (Amazon paid link)
Plastic Toddler Spoons – Set of 16 Kids Spoons BPA Free/Dishwasher Safe (Amazon paid link)
4. Water tumbler
The COVID-19 pandemic made drinking directly from water fountains pretty much obsolete (but why did we ever think that was a good idea?). To make sure my son has access to clean water at daycare that is not from a fountain, I pack a daily 15 oz water tumbler.
I like the Zak Designs water tumblers. They hold a lot of water (enough to last the day), are dishwasher safe, and don’t leak. Cute designs and a large variety of options are a plus, but I did notice that the prints started to fade off after multiple dishwasher runs.
Zak Designs Bluey Kelso Toddler Cups For Travel or At Home, 15oz 2-Pack Durable Plastic Sippy Cups With Leak-Proof Design (Amazon paid link)
5. Cups
In addition to water, some sources recommend that toddlers and infants drink milk if possible (either low fat or whole milk, depending on their age) for continued growth and development.
I pack a spill-free 360 degree cup by Munchkin with low-fat milk for daycare for my toddler (which he never drinks, but I try anyway), and at home we practice with an open cup.
Munchkin Sippy Cups for Toddlers 1-3, Spill Proof Miracle 360 Cup, 10 Ounce, 2 Pack (Amazon paid link)
6. Lunch container
For easy lunch packing, I use reusable Bentgo lunch containers. Each container has 2 compartments, with the bigger one holding 2 cups of food and the smaller one holding 1 cup. It seems a bit oversized, but they’re perfect for packing my toddler’s lunch.
They are reusable, dishwasher and freezer-safe, and microwavable. They are also inexpensive enough to not lose sleep over if they get lost or damaged, and come in a pack of 20 so I can prep meals for the week if I have time.
Bentgo 20-Piece Lightweight, Durable, Reusable BPA-Free 2-Compartment Containers (Amazon paid link)
7. Snack containers
Different daycares have different policies; some facilities provide snacks, some don’t. Some provide their own snacks but allow parents to pack their own supplementary snacks, some discourage that. It’s important to figure out what the specific policy for your specific daycare.
I’ve tried a few different snack containers, but I love the dual compartment containers by b.box. The compartments stay separated so foods never accidentally mix, making it perfect for dips and spreads. As an alternative, I also use Dr. Brown’s stackable snack cups.
b.box Snack Box 2 Pack – Leak Proof Mini Bento Box for Kids & Toddlers, 2 Compartment Snack Containers for Kids, Dishwasher Safe, BPA Free, PFAS Free, Ages 4m+ (Amazon paid link)
8. Blanket
Kids usually take one daily afternoon nap at daycare, usually after lunch. Most facilities will provide cots, but we will probably need to pack a blanket to keep them cozy during their naps.
I love the polyester Living Textiles blanket – it’s as soft as a cloud, thick (but light), and durable.
Living Textiles Blue Clouds Chenille Soft Baby Blanket Reversible Premium Cozy Fabric (Amazon paid link)
9. Cot sheets
Comfy cot sheets are also a daycare necessity for nap time. I’m not too particular with sheets, opting for simple, breathable cotton or polyester sheets that will fit on the cots provided by the daycare.
I rotate through a few different options – stretchy polyester BROLEX sheets, American Baby Company chenille polyester sheets in the winter, and cotton Joey + Joan sheets (in the Graco pack and play size).
Pack n Play Sheets, BROLEX 2 Pack Mini Crib Sheets,Stretchy Portable Fitted Playard Sheet Set, Convertible Playard Mattress Cover,Ultra Soft Breathable Material (Amazon paid link)
American Baby Company Heavenly Soft Chenille Fitted Pack N Play Playard Sheet 27″ x 39″ (Amazon paid link)
Joey + Joan Pack and Play Sheets Fitted – Compatible with Graco Pack n Play Playard Crib and Other 27 x 39 Inch Playpen Mattress – Snuggly Soft 100% Jersey Cotton (Amazon paid link)
***A nice alternative to buying cot sheets and a blanket is the Tot Cot Kids Nap Mat. It’s basically a blanket and cot sheet in one. The bedding is pretty sturdy and it includes a small pillow and it’s own little blanket cover. It’s not for infants though – the recommended age for use is 2-5 years.
Tot Cot Kids Nap Mat – Toddler Preschool Daycare Bedding Cover with Blanket and Pillow (Amazon paid link)
10. Silicone bib
With toddlers being the messy little humans that they are, silicone bibs are a mealtime staple. Some daycares will already have these provided, but it doesn’t hurt to pack a spare.
Like everything else I buy, silicone bibs are a breeze to clean – they are dishwasher safe, but easy enough to hand wash as well. The silicone material retains its shape through multiple uses and lasts a long time.
PandaEar Set of 3 Silicone Baby Bibs Waterproof, Soft, Unisex (Amazon paid link)
11. Lunch bag
To hold all those snacks, cups, and containers, we’ll need a durable and spacious lunch bag.
I bought a BABEYER cooler bag to store breastmilk in back when my son was an infant, but it ended up working really well for holding all the daycare essentials.
Everything fits in here – 2 snack containers, a milk cup, and his lunch container. I use some slim square ice pack on the bottom keep everything cool.
Breast Milk Cooler Bag with Ice Pack Fits 4 Baby Bottles Up to 9 Ounce, Baby Bottle Bag for Nursing Mom (Amazon paid link)
12. Backpack
Next up on the list – a backpack. We’ll need somewhere to hold all that other stuff, right?
I like the Bentgo brand and have other Bentgo products, including their backpacks. They’ve proven to be durable and spacious enough for everyday daycare needs. There is a pocket on the side where I can store his water tumbler, a cooler compartment on the bottom that can hold his lunch container if needed, and ample space inside for all the other stuff.
I love the different prints it comes in, and I can also attach his lunch bag to the clip on top to make it easier to carry everything.
Bentgo Kids 2-in-1 Backpack & Insulated Lunch Bag – Confetti Designed 16” Backpack for School & Travel -, Durable, Water Resistant, Padded, & Large Compartments (Amazon paid link)
13. Extra clothes
Daycares will likely request that we pack a few extra sets of clothes and shoes for the week.
In the toddler years, many daycares will initiate some form of potty training – meaning there will be a lot of accidents. There will also inevitably be other spills and stains that happen as toddlers are exploring and learning to control their little bodies.
I send my son to daycare with an extra set of clothes at the beginning of each week – 2 shirts, 2 pants, 2 socks, another jacket or coat in the winter, and 1 additional pair of shoes.
14. Extra diapers/ pull-ups/ underwear and wipes
Depending on where our toddlers are at in the potty training process, we’ll absolutely need to pack extra diapers/ pull-ups/ underwear and wipes for daycare frequently.
My son is currently in the pull-up stage – sort of potty trained, but definitely not underwear ready – and I usually take a new pack of pull-ups and wipes every couple of weeks.
15. Sunscreen and Vaseline
During the summer months, sunscreen is recommended to protect our toddlers’ sensitive skin when they’re playing outdoors. One bottle of our preferred sunscreen is usually enough to last through the summer months (and beyond).
Vaseline is not required, but I leave a tub of it at the daycare for any diaper rashes that might pop up.
Sources:
CDC. “Fingers, Spoons, Forks, and Cups.” Infant and Toddler Nutrition, 11 Dec. 2024, www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/mealtime/fingers-spoons-forks-and-cups.html.
Garone, Sarah. “How Much Milk Does a Toddler Need?” Healthline, Healthline Media, 22 Dec. 2020, www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/how-much-milk-should-a-toddler-drink#balanced-toddler-diet.
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