Checklist: What to Bring to Daycare

When your child starts daycare, it can be difficult to know what should actually be kept in their cubby. Here is a simple checklist of the most important things.

👕 1. Changes of Clothes

Young children can quickly need an extra set of clothes – especially when they are eating, playing, painting, or playing outside.

It is a good idea to keep at least 2 complete sets there:

• Bodysuit or underwear

• Trousers

• Top

• Socks

• Tights, if needed

• Dribble bib, if needed

Check the cubby regularly and restock it when something comes home. Many daycare centers recommend keeping around two changes of clothes there.

🧸 2. Pacifier or Sleep Comfort Item

If your child uses a pacifier, keep 2–3 pacifiers at daycare so there is always a spare if one goes missing.

If your child has a comfort cloth, teddy bear, or another sleep comfort item that helps them feel secure at nap time, it can also be a good idea to bring it.

Tip: Label pacifiers, comfort cloths, and sleep comfort items with your child’s name so they are easier to find again.

👟 3. Shoes and Slippers

Depending on your child’s age and whether they can walk, they may need:

• Slippers or soft indoor shoes if the floors at daycare are cold.

• Shoes with Velcro so your child can be supported in learning to open and fasten them independently.

• Rubber boots

• Sandals in summer

• Warm winter boots in winter

Footwear should suit the weather and your child’s development. Children experience a great deal through their feet, so it is completely normal for them to often go barefoot at daycare.

🌧️ 4. Rainwear and Rubber Boots

Rain does not necessarily mean a day indoors at daycare. That is why rainwear and rubber boots are an important part of the daycare wardrobe.

A rain set typically consists of:

• Rain jacket

• Rain trousers

• Rubber boots

❄️ 5. Winter Clothing

When the temperature drops, the cubby should be updated with warm outerwear:

• Snowsuit

• Warm jacket

• Hat

• Gloves or mittens

• Warm boots

• Thermal outerwear, if needed

• Warm jumper or wool layer

It is a good idea to keep extra gloves and hats, as they easily get wet or go missing.

Choose outerwear without loose cords. For children’s safety, many daycare centers have specific rules about cords.

☀️ 6. Summer Clothing

In summer, the daycare wardrobe is a little lighter:

• Sun hat without cords.

• Light jacket

• T-shirts or bodysuits

• Shorts

• Trousers

• Sandals

• Rainwear

• A lightweight jumper, if needed

🍼 8. Anything Else Your Child May Need

If your child needs anything special during the day, it may be relevant to arrange this with the staff.

For example:

• Special creams

• Medication

• Infant formula

• Water bottle

• Anything else your child depends on