Packing your child’s daycare bag for the first time can feel like its own kind of homework. Every center has slightly different rules, every child has their own comfort items, and it’s easy to worry you’ll show up missing something your little one needs. Take a breath. Most daycare packing lists come down to the same handful of categories, and once you’ve done it once or twice, it becomes second nature.
This checklist walks you through exactly what to pack for daycare, from the first day through the first week, plus a few tips to make drop-off a little easier for both of you. And if you’d rather have this on your fridge than in a browser tab, grab our free printable “My First Week of Daycare Checklist” at the bottom of this post.
What Should I Pack for Daycare?
What should a child bring to daycare? Most children need a change of clothes, diapers or pull-ups if they’re not yet potty trained, bottles or cups, approved meals or snacks, a nap item, sunscreen if it’s permitted, and a comfort item if their center allows one.
That’s the short answer. Every family’s version of this list will look a little different depending on your child’s age and your center’s specific policies, so here’s the fuller breakdown:
- Change of clothes (at least one full outfit, more for younger children)
- Diapers, pull-ups, or potty-training supplies, if needed
- Bottles, sippy cups, or a labeled water bottle
- Approved meals and snacks, packed according to your center’s food policy
- Nap items like a small blanket or sleep sack
- Sunscreen, if your center allows parents to send it
- A comfort item, if your child’s classroom permits one
We’ll go through each of these in more detail below so you know exactly what to toss in the bag.
Daycare Clothing Checklist
Kids get messy at daycare, and that’s a good thing. It means they’re painting, playing outside, and exploring, which is exactly the kind of hands-on learning we build our curriculum around. Pack clothing with that in mind:
- At least one full backup outfit (two or three for infants and toddlers, since diaper leaks and spills happen more often)
- Weather-appropriate layers, especially during Phoenix’s cooler mornings and hot afternoons
- Closed-toe shoes that are easy for your child to move in, plus a backup pair of socks
- A labeled sun hat for outdoor play, especially in warmer months
- Anything specific to your child’s classroom, like a swimsuit for water play days
Ask your teacher whether they prefer clothes sent in a labeled bag, a bin at your child’s cubby, or a backpack that goes home each night. Every classroom organizes this a little differently.
Diapers and Potty-Training Supplies
If your child isn’t potty trained yet, you’ll want to send a full day’s supply, plus a few extra for the unexpected days:
- Diapers or pull-ups (check with your teacher on how many they recommend per day)
- Wipes
- Diaper cream, if your child uses it and your center allows parent-supplied ointments
- A few extra outfits, since potty training days can mean more than one change
If your child is actively potty training, let your teacher know where things stand. Our teachers work closely with families during this stage so home and classroom routines stay consistent, which makes the whole process smoother for your child.
Food, Bottles and Cups
Meal and feeding policies vary quite a bit from center to center, so this is one of the first questions worth asking during enrollment or your tour:
- Bottles or sippy cups, labeled with your child’s name
- Breast milk or formula, if your center allows parents to supply it
- Approved meals and snacks, packed according to any allergy or nutrition guidelines
- A labeled water bottle for older toddlers and preschoolers
Many centers, including ours, provide meals and snacks as part of the program, which can simplify your morning considerably. If that’s the case for your family, your packing list gets shorter. Confirm with your child’s teacher exactly what’s provided and what you’re responsible for sending.
Comfort and Nap Items
Rest time is a big part of the day, especially for infants and toddlers, and a familiar comfort item can make naps and transitions much easier:
- A small blanket or sleep sack for nap time
- A pacifier, if your child uses one
- A stuffed animal or lovey, if your center’s policy allows comfort items in the classroom
- A family photo, for younger children who benefit from a visual reminder during the day
Ask your teacher about their specific comfort item policy. Many classrooms welcome a lovey for nap time but ask that it stay in a cubby the rest of the day, especially once children are older and more mobile.
What Should You Label for Daycare?
Label everything. It sounds like overkill until the day your child’s water bottle is identical to three others in the classroom. A permanent marker or a set of iron-on labels will save you (and your teachers) a lot of guesswork.
At minimum, label:
- Clothing, especially jackets, hats, and shoes
- Bottles, sippy cups, and water bottles
- Bags, backpacks, and lunch boxes
- Comfort items like blankets or stuffed animals
- Diaper cream, sunscreen, or any other personal-care items you send in
What Should You Leave at Home?
Just as important as what to pack is what to leave behind. To keep your child and their classmates safe, most centers ask families not to send:
- Toys from home, unless it’s a designated show-and-tell day
- Food or snacks that aren’t part of your center’s approved list, especially anything with common allergens
- Medication, unless it’s been discussed with and approved by your child’s teacher or director ahead of time
- Valuables or anything you’d be upset to lose, since small items can get misplaced during a busy day
When in doubt, ask. Your child’s teacher would rather answer a quick question than have you guess.
What to Pack for Your Child’s First Day
The first day deserves a little extra preparation, on top of your regular daily bag:
- Everything from your daily checklist above (clothes, diapers if needed, food, comfort items)
- A few extra changes of clothes, since first days can come with a few extra accidents or spills
- Any paperwork your center still needs, like emergency contacts, immunization records, or allergy information
- A comfort item from home, if it’s allowed, to help ease the transition
- A little extra patience for yourself. First days are an adjustment for parents too.
Want a printable version to keep by the door? Grab our free “My First Week of Daycare Checklist” below and check items off as you pack.
How to Make Daycare Drop-Off Easier
A smoother drop-off usually starts before you ever get in the car. A few things that help:
- Pack the night before. Laying out clothes, food, and bags the evening before takes one task off a busy morning.
- Build a simple goodbye routine. A consistent routine, like a hug, a wave at the window, and a “see you after nap,” helps your child know what to expect.
- Arrive with a few extra minutes. Rushed drop-offs tend to feel more stressful for everyone. A little buffer time lets your child settle in before you head out.
- Say goodbye, and mean it. Lingering or sneaking out can both make transitions harder. A warm, brief goodbye is usually easiest on your child.
- Trust the handoff. Our teachers are trained to help children transition into the classroom, so it’s okay to hand that moment over once you’ve said goodbye.
Every child adjusts at their own pace, and our teachers are used to helping families find the routine that works best for their child.
What If My Child Cries at Drop-Off?
Short answer: it’s normal, and it usually doesn’t last. Many children cry at drop-off for the first few days or weeks, especially during a new routine, and most settle within minutes of a parent leaving.
A few things to keep in mind if your child cries at drop-off:
- It’s a healthy sign of attachment, not a sign that something is wrong.
- Teachers are trained to comfort and redirect children right after goodbyes, often with a favorite activity or a familiar face.
- You’re welcome to check in. Many parents feel reassured by a quick call or update partway through the morning.
- Consistency helps. The same drop-off routine, day after day, tends to shorten the adjustment period.
If crying at drop-off continues for more than a couple of weeks, or your child seems distressed beyond typical separation anxiety, talk with their teacher or your center director. At Raising Arizona Preschool, our teachers are hand-selected and experienced in exactly this kind of transition, and we’d rather partner with you early than have you wonder if something’s wrong.
Get the Free Printable Checklist
Packing for daycare gets easier every day, but the first week doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Download our free printable, “My First Week of Daycare Checklist,” and keep it by the door as a quick reference for clothes, comfort items, labels, and everything in between.
MyFirstWeekofDaycareChecklist.pdf
A Note From Raising Arizona Preschool
At Raising Arizona Preschool, we know the first weeks of daycare are an adjustment for the whole family, not just your child. Our 1-year-old program and Two’s Program are built by hand-selected, experienced teachers who understand how to make transitions gentle, from that first tearful drop-off to a confident wave goodbye a few weeks later.
If you’re weighing your daycare options across the Valley, explore our locations in Phoenix, Glendale, and Mesa or schedule a tour to see our Quality First-rated, mindfulness-based curriculum in action. We’d love to help make this first week, and every week after it, feel a little easier.