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Daycare Essentials
33
items Starting daycare can be overwhelming. Leaving your baby or toddler is so hard, and having to find and buy all the items they need just adds to the anxiety. This list has all of my tried and true items that made our process seamless!
Sections
7
Baby Bottles and Feedings
Diaper/Changing Items
Nap & Comfort
Daycare Bag
Toddler Feeding
Labels & Organization
Baby Bottles and Feedings
All the items that I have used for my babies while in an infant room.
This bag easily fits ice packs and bottles to transport back and forth while keeping milk cold!
Parker Baby Co. Neoprene Bottle Cooler - Llama
If baby is taking formula, some daycares require the bottles to be mixed and a pitcher with the mixer allows the bottles to be mixed in a big batch!
Dr. Brown's Baby Formula Mixing Pitcher with Locking Lid & No Drip Spout - 32oz - Light Blue
You want a big batch of bibs so you don’t have to put them in the laundry every night. Some centers have them on hand.
Gerber Baby Neutral 8-Pack Bibs, Multi Neutrals, One Size
When baby starts real food, these snack containers are perfect to send small amounts of food!
5 fl oz 3pc Stacking Snacker Food Storage Cups - Pink - Cloud Island™
I love that these cups can be squeezed for the water to come up through the straw to help teach baby how to drink from a straw!
The First Years 7oz Squeeze and Sip Straw Cup - Green and Yellow - 2pk
These ice packs stay cold and fit around bottles.
Long Lasting Ice Pack - Great for Breastmilk Bottles Storage and Can Coolers | 4-Can (2 Pack)
I love these bottles for my breastfed baby. She goes back and forth between bottles and nursing easily with these. If your daycare doesn’t allow glass, the plastic version is also a good option!
Philips Avent Glass Baby Bottle with Natural Response Nipple - 4oz/3pk
Diaper/Changing Items
My favorite diapers and items that it’s convenient to have at daycare. Basically I take them everything we are already using at home!
We drop off a giant box of diapers at the beginning of the year. These are my favorite! They are so soft and comfortable for baby!
Amore by Pampers Diapers Enormous Pack - Size 4 - 108ct
Some centers supply wipes. I love these for sensitive babies!
Pampers Baby Wipes - Sens - 1344ct
Aquaphor is a cure all. I love it and always make sure we are stocked as well as daycare!
Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy Skin Protectant - Dry Skin and Diaper Rash Ointment - 7oz
Wet bags are perfect for clothes when baby has a blow out!
Water Resistant Wet Bag Blue Flowers One Size
Nap & Comfort
My kids have thrived taking naps at daycare with these items! Have comfortable things, helps them sleep so you don’t pick up a tired grumpy kid!
Love this pacifier when my baby takes one! Have multiples is a must!
Philips Avent Ultra Soft Pacifiers 6-18m - Beige/Green - 2pk
Most centers require that pacifiers be tethered to baby and this clip works extremely well!
Itzy Ritzy Beaded Pacifier Clip - Universal Fit, Silicone Holder - Toast
Older kids usually require a nap mat if the center doesn’t supply cots. My son uses this everyday. They are durable and have held up for 3 years so far!
Kindermat Brand-NEW UNUSED-Nap Mat-2" Thick, Blue and Teal-1 Unit per Package-Ages 2 and Above-100%
These bedrolls provide an extra layer of padding. They are durable, easy to store and clean!
Wildkin Kids Nap Mat Soft Plush Microfiber with Removable Pillow & Attached Blanket, Roll-Up Design, Ages 3–7, 1-Pack, - Daisy
A baby in an infant room will need their own crib sheet. I like these for sending back and forth!
Polyester Rayon Fitted Crib Sheet - Cloud Island™
Daycare Bag
I LOVE this backpack and extra clothes are a must!
There are many different prints, but my son has been using his Cars backpack for 3 years now and it still looks brand new. They are so easy to clean as well!
Simple Modern Kids' 12L Fletcher Backpack - Princess Rainbow: Water-Resistant Woven Polyester
This sunscreen goes to daycare with both of my kids for when they go to the playground. We love it!
thinkbaby Clear Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin with Non-Nano Zinc Oxide, UVA/UVB Protection - Water Resistant - SPF 50 - 3 fl oz
I love these outfit sets to keep in daycare bags as they are inexpensive!
Wonder Nation Baby Boys Outfit Set, 6 Piece, Sizes 0–24M
A good set to keep in their bag Incase they get dirty or have an accident at school!
Wonder Nation Toddler Girls' Ribbed Top and Wide Leg Pants Set, 2-Piece, Sizes 12M-5T
Toddler Feeding
My toddler loves the lunchboxes and he can easily operate them on his own!
I love this lunchbox for a hot lunch! Just make sure the thermos is heated at least 10 minutes
OMIE OmieBox Insulated Bento Lunch Box with Leakproof Thermos Food Jar 3 Compartments - Blue: Latches, For Ages 3+
I keep this in their lunch box and our diaper bag because sometimes restaurants don’t have small forks/spoons
Stainless Steel Cutlery - All In Motion™ Blue
My son always wants a homemade lunchable when I pull this lunchbox out.
Bentgo Kids' Prints Leak-Proof, 5-Compartment Bento-Style Lunch Box - Rocket
I always buy the lunch box, backpack and water bottle all matching so my kid can easily tell which items are theirs.
Simple Modern 12oz Stainless Steel Junior Water Bottle - Toy Story
Labels & Organization
The labels are my favorite. They stay on items that are going through the dishwasher and are extremely durable!
The labels have tons of options and stick to everything!
Waterproof Daycare Labels, Custom Name Stickers Dishwasher Safe, Custom Name Labels Vinyl, Personalized School Labels, Camp Labels
I use these labels everyday, the stick to the bottles and easily survive the dishwasher!
Custom Baby Bottle Labels for Daycare | Waterproof Name Stickers | Small Rectangle (1.8 x 0.64in)
I use this stamp on everything, inside shoes, coats, hats, anything I am sending to school that could get lost gets a stamp!
Kid Name Stamp | Kid Name Labels | Permanent Fabric Stamp | Rubber Stamp or Self Inking Stamp | 0.5" x 1.5" | STC002
Snacks
My toddlers favorite snacks to pack up for school! We send a ziplock with several options every couple of weeks
My toddler loves veggie straws and the individual bags are the perfect size!
Sea Salt Veggie Straws Potato & Vegetable Snack Multipack - 12ct/.75oz - Good & Gather™
My kids love cheese balls, but I don’t love the ingredients. This makes me feel better about it!
LesserEvil Spaceballs Real Cheese Snack Pack Puffs - 6oz/10ct
Everyone fights over this snack in my house!
Pirate's Booty Aged White Cheddar Cheese Puffs Snack Multipack - 5oz/10pk
My kids always think they are getting cookies when I buy this snack!
MadeGood Chocolate Chip Organic Granola Bites - 4.25oz/5pk
Every few weeks my son ask me for “the super yummy muffins” in his snack bag.
MadeGood Banana Chocolate Chip Organic Baked Oat Cups - 6.15oz/5ct
My kids favorite variety pack of applesauce!
Apple Strawberry and Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Applesauce Pouches Variety Pack - 12ct - Good & Gather™