Daycare essentials checklist
What to pack and prepare for the first day and each day after.
Daycare checklist
A starting point, not a rule. Every family and every child is different. Follow each product's instructions and age limits, and check with your doctor on health questions.
Check first
- Your daycare’s own list and policies: they come first
- Forms, immunization records and emergency contacts
- A written plan for allergies, medicines and special care
- Visit and meet the caregivers before the first day
Bag & basics
- A labeled bag or backpackPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Skip Hop Zoo backpack
- Two or three full changes of clothes
- A labeled sun hat or warm hat, depending on the seasonPopular pick on Amazon.ca: UPF 50+ kids sun hat
- A comfort item if the daycare allows one, and no loose blankets for babies in sleep spaces
Diapering
- Diapers and wipes for the day, and a few extrasPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Pampers Sensitive wipes
- Diaper cream, labeled, with your written permissionPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Sudocrem diaper rash cream, Pampers Sensitive wipes
- A wet bag for soiled clothesPopular pick on Amazon.ca: ALVABABY wet/dry bag
Feeding
- Labeled bottles, with breast milk or formula as the daycare directsPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Dr. Brown’s Options+ anti-colic bottles
- A sippy cup or open cup for older babiesPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Munchkin Miracle 360 trainer cup, Munchkin Splash training cups (4-pack)
- Meals and snacks as the daycare asks, in an insulated lunch bag with an ice packPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Bentgo Kids insulated lunch bag
- A bib and burp cloths for babiesPopular pick on Amazon.ca: PandaEar silicone bibs (3-pack), Comfy Cubs muslin burp cloths
Sleep
- A fitted crib sheet if the daycare asks you to bring onePopular pick on Amazon.ca: KeaBabies organic crib sheets (2-pack)
- A sleep sack for naps instead of loose blanketsPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Yoofoss cotton sleep sack
- A sleep routine you share with the caregivers
Weather & outdoors
- Rain gear and warm outerwear in seasonPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Kids hooded rain jacket
- A sun hat and sunscreen permission in summerPopular pick on Amazon.ca: UPF 50+ kids sun hat, Thinkbaby SPF 50+ sunscreen
- Boots, mittens and a hat in winterPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Kamik Snobuster kids snow boots, Unigear waterproof kids mittens
- Extra socks and underwear
Labels & organization
- Name labels on clothes, bottles and bagsPopular pick on Amazon.ca: Waterproof name labels (128)
- A small family photo for comfort if the daycare allows it
- A calendar for daycare closures and pick-up times
Pack by season
What daycares usually ask you to send, with picks by age. Pick sizes that fit your child, and label everything.
Summer
- Sun hatPopular picks on Amazon.ca: Baby: FURTALK baby sun hat · Toddler & preschool: Connectyle UPF 50+ bucket hat, UPF 50+ kids sun hat
- Rain suit or raincoatPopular picks on Amazon.ca: Toddler: One-piece rain suit · Toddler & preschool: Hooded kids raincoat, Kids hooded rain jacket
- Rubber bootsPopular picks on Amazon.ca: Toddler: Lightweight toddler rain boots · Toddler & preschool: Hatley classic rain boots, Crocs Handle It rain boots
- SneakersPopular picks on Amazon.ca: Toddler: STQ KIDS wide toe box sneakers · Preschool: Skechers Play Scene, adidas Grand Court 3.0
- SunscreenPopular picks on Amazon.ca: Baby: Aveeno Baby mineral SPF 50, Thinkbaby SPF 50+ · Preschool: Banana Boat Kids SPF 50+Most daycares need your written permission to apply sunscreen.
- Light sweaterPopular picks on Amazon.ca: Baby: Amazon Essentials cardigan · Toddler & preschool: Lightweight fleece jacket
- ShortsPopular picks on Amazon.ca: Toddler: Simple Joys bike shorts (3-pack), Pull-on knit shorts · Preschool: Boys athletic shorts (4-pack), Girls athletic shorts (4-pack)
Fall & winter
- Wool hatPopular picks on Amazon.ca: Baby & toddler: FURTALK knit beanie · Toddler & preschool: Merino wool kids beanie
- Snow suit (snow pants and coat)Popular picks on Amazon.ca: Baby: Columbia Snowtop II bunting · Toddler: Jan & Jul Toasty-Dry snow suit, Mountain Warehouse snowsuit · Preschool: Jacket and snow pants set, Jan & Jul snow pants
- Winter bootsPopular picks on Amazon.ca: Toddler: Kamik Snowbug 5 · Toddler & preschool: Kamik Snobuster · Preschool: Kamik Waterbug 5
- Two pairs of mittensPopular picks on Amazon.ca: Baby: Azarxis fleece mittens · Toddler & preschool: MoKo waterproof mittens, Unigear waterproof mittensPack a second pair so there is always a dry one.
Spring
- Light sweaterPopular picks on Amazon.ca: Baby: Amazon Essentials cardigan · Toddler & preschool: Lightweight fleece jacket
- Splash pantsPopular picks on Amazon.ca: Toddler & preschool: Jan & Jul Puddle-Dry rain pants
- RaincoatPopular picks on Amazon.ca: Toddler: One-piece rain suit · Toddler & preschool: Hooded kids raincoat, Kids hooded rain jacket
- Rubber bootsPopular picks on Amazon.ca: Toddler: Lightweight toddler rain boots · Toddler & preschool: Hatley classic rain boots, Crocs Handle It rain boots
- SneakersPopular picks on Amazon.ca: Toddler: STQ KIDS wide toe box sneakers · Preschool: Skechers Play Scene, adidas Grand Court 3.0
- Sun hatPopular picks on Amazon.ca: Baby: FURTALK baby sun hat · Toddler & preschool: Connectyle UPF 50+ bucket hat, UPF 50+ kids sun hat
- Bug repellentPopular picks on Amazon.ca: All ages: PiACTIVE DEET-free lotion, Great Outdoors Kids DEET-free sprayCheck the label for the minimum age, and ask your doctor or pharmacist before using repellent on babies.
Ready to shop?
See what we recommend: Diapering picks and feeding picks.