The fastest way to start daycare on the wrong foot is an incomplete bag. Most centers will call you back — or send your child home — if required items are missing. Diapers run out, spare clothes get used after an accident, and an unlabeled bottle goes to the wrong baby. This checklist covers exactly what to pack at each age, what to label, and the small things parents most often forget.
Print it, tape it inside a cabinet, and restock on Sunday nights so weekday mornings are calm.
Three rules that apply at every age
- Label everything. Name + last initial on every bottle, lid, container, jacket, shoe, blanket, and lunchbox. Use a laundry-safe marker or stick-on labels. Centers handle dozens of identical sippy cups — unlabeled items get lost or tossed.
- Pack one full spare outfit more than you think you need. Toddlers have accidents, spills, and mud days. Two spare sets beats one.
- Restock daily. Whatever got used (diapers, wipes, spare clothes after an accident) must be replaced the next morning, or you'll be short exactly when it matters.
Infant (6 weeks – 12 months)
Infant rooms are supply-heavy. Expect to provide nearly everything your baby uses.
Every day
- 6–8 diapers (more than a home day — centers change frequently)
- Wipes (a full pack; centers track when yours runs low)
- 3–4 bottles, pre-portioned, labeled with name + date
- Formula (pre-measured in a dispenser) OR labeled breast milk in daycare-ready bottles or bags
- 2 full changes of clothes (onesies, socks, weather layer)
- Sleep sack or swaddle if used (loose blankets are banned in most infant rooms per safe-sleep rules)
- Pacifiers if used — bring 2, labeled
- Diaper cream (with a signed permission slip — many states require written authorization to apply topical products)
Leave at the center (restock as needed)
- Box of diapers and backup wipes
- Crib sheet (centers launder, but supply your own fitted sheet sized to their cribs)
- Seasonal: sunhat, mittens
Most-forgotten infant item: the signed medication/diaper-cream authorization form. Without it, staff legally cannot apply cream to a developing rash. Ask for the form on day one.
Toddler (1 – 3 years)
Toddlers are mobile, messy, and starting to potty train. The bag shifts from feeding gear to clothing and self-care.
Every day
- Diapers + wipes (or pull-ups if potty training)
- 2–3 full changes of clothes (toddlers get filthy — sensory play, water table, lunch)
- Labeled water bottle or sippy cup
- Indoor-safe shoes with non-slip soles
- Comfort item for nap (small lovey or blanket — confirm your center's nap policy)
- Weather gear: sun hat + sunscreen (with authorization), or coat/mittens/boots in winter
- If potty training: 4–6 changes of underwear + extra pants, plus a wet-bag for soiled clothes
If your center doesn't provide meals
- Lunch in a labeled, leak-proof container (no choking hazards — cut grapes, no whole nuts)
- 2 snacks
- Ice pack — most centers won't refrigerate individual lunches
Most-forgotten toddler item: the wet-bag during potty training. Soiled clothes need somewhere to go; without it, staff use a plastic grocery bag (if available) or send everything home loose.
Preschool (3 – 5 years)
Preschoolers are largely independent. The bag gets lighter but adds school-readiness items.
Every day
- 1 full change of clothes (accidents still happen, especially early on)
- Labeled water bottle
- Nap mat or crib sheet + small blanket (confirm what your program supplies)
- Weather gear appropriate to the season
- Lunch + snacks if not provided
Often required by preschool programs
- A family photo for the cubby (eases separation anxiety)
- Backpack big enough for art projects to travel home
- Extra mask if your center or local health rules require one
Most-forgotten preschool item: seasonal swaps. The spare outfit that's been in the bag since fall is shorts in January. Refresh the spare set every season change.
What NOT to pack
- Toys from home — most centers ban them (they spark conflict and get lost). Exception: an approved nap comfort item.
- Loose blankets for infants — banned under safe-sleep rules. Use a wearable sleep sack.
- Choking-hazard foods — whole grapes, hot dogs in coins, whole nuts, hard candy, popcorn.
- Medications without paperwork — even OTC cream or Tylenol needs a signed authorization form and original labeled packaging.
- Jewelry and drawstrings — strangulation and choking risks; many centers prohibit them.
A label system that survives the dishwasher
Sharpie fades after a few washes. For bottles and containers that get sanitized daily, use dishwasher-safe stick-on labels or engrave with a label maker. For clothing, iron-on or stick-in fabric labels last a full season. Put the child's first name and last initial — full last names are a privacy concern in shared rooms.
Set up a Sunday restock ritual
- Empty the bag completely Sunday evening.
- Wash bottles, containers, and soiled spare clothes.
- Refill diapers/wipes/pull-ups to the daily count.
- Check spare outfits match the current season and still fit.
- Re-label anything with worn-off names.
- Pack Monday's lunch and snacks if needed.
Five minutes on Sunday prevents five stressful weekday mornings. Touring centers and want the full evaluation list too? See our 30-question daycare tour checklist, and use the cost calculator to budget for supplies on top of tuition.
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Sources: AAP safe-sleep guidelines; CDC choking-prevention guidance; standard US child-care licensing supply requirements. Editorial methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Does daycare provide diapers and wipes?
Most centers require parents to supply their own diapers and wipes; a minority include them in tuition. Confirm during enrollment. Even when "included," centers ask you to restock when their supply of your brand runs low.
Can I send breast milk to daycare?
Yes. Bring it in daycare-ready bottles or labeled storage bags with your child's name and the date pumped. Centers follow strict labeling and storage rules to prevent mix-ups. Ask about their thaw and warming policy.
What if my child needs medication during the day?
You must complete a medication authorization form and provide the medication in its original, labeled container (prescription or OTC). Staff legally cannot administer anything — even diaper cream or sunscreen — without written authorization in most states.
How many spare outfits should I pack?
Two full sets for infants and toddlers, one for preschoolers. During potty training, pack 4–6 changes of underwear and bottoms plus a wet-bag. Always replace whatever got used the next morning.
