Most daycares give families a "bring this" list at orientation. The list is rarely complete, and the missing items are the ones you only learn about after the first frantic call from the front desk. This guide is the version we wish someone had handed us, organized by age and ordered by what actually matters.
Every program has its own rules, so always check yours first. The lists below cover what is broadly expected at licensed daycares in 2026, with notes on regional variation, supply tips, and what to leave at home.
What to pack for an infant (6 weeks to 12 months)
Infant rooms run on consistency. Most centers ask families to bring nearly everything the child uses, labeled and replenished daily.
Daily, in the bag
- Three to four bottles, labeled with the child's name and the date.
- Enough breast milk or formula for the day, plus one extra feed.
- Six to eight diapers and wipes (more for newborns).
- Two to three changes of clothes including socks.
- One muslin blanket or sleep sack (centers cannot allow loose blankets in cribs per Safe Sleep guidance).
- A pacifier if used, plus a clip.
- Solid food jars or pouches once introduced, with a labeled spoon.
- Bibs and burp cloths.
Stays at the center, replenished as needed
- A box of diapers and wipes for the cubby.
- Diaper rash cream with a written authorization form on file.
- Two to three extra outfits in the cubby.
- Sleep sack or wearable blanket, sized to the child.
- A sealed container of formula or a stash of frozen breast milk if requested.
- Sunscreen and bug spray for outdoor weather, with authorization.
- A "lovey" if your child uses one (most centers introduce these around six months).
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics 2022 updated safe sleep recommendations; Caring for Our Children 4th edition (national health and safety standards for childcare).
What to pack for a toddler (1 to 2 years)
Toddlers eat more, change clothes more, and start asserting strong opinions about their belongings. The bag gets simpler than infancy in some ways and more complex in others.
Daily, in the bag
- Two changes of clothes including socks. Three if your child is in early potty training.
- A water bottle (most centers require labeled, refillable).
- Lunch and snacks if the program does not provide them.
- Diapers and wipes if not yet potty trained.
- Pull-ups and a wet bag if in transition.
- A small lovey, blanket, or comfort item for nap.
- Outerwear appropriate to the weather: hat and mittens in winter, sunhat in summer, rain coat and boots in shoulder seasons.
Stays at the center
- A larger box of diapers, wipes, and rash cream with authorization.
- Three full extra outfits in the cubby.
- A pair of indoor shoes if the program prefers shoes off at the door.
- Crib sheet and blanket for nap, often laundered weekly at home.
- Sunscreen with authorization form.
What to pack for a preschooler (3 to 5 years)
By age three, the bag is closer to a small backpack the child can carry. The kid increasingly cares about what is in it.
Daily, in the backpack
- One change of clothes (still essential, accidents and water play happen).
- A reusable water bottle.
- Lunch and snacks if not provided.
- Folder or communication notebook from the center, returned signed if applicable.
- Outerwear appropriate to the weather.
Stays at the center
- One full set of season-appropriate spare clothes in the cubby.
- A nap blanket or sheet.
- A small comfort item if your child still wants one for nap.
- Sunscreen with authorization form.
A note on labeling
Almost every program asks families to label everything. Sharpie on the tag works for inexpensive items. For bottles, water bottles, and clothing you want back, washable name labels (Mabel's Labels, Name Bubbles, Inchbug) hold up through repeated washing. The first time you lose a $30 wool layer in the laundry pile, the labels pay for themselves.
What you do not need to pack
A handful of items show up on Pinterest lists and are usually unhelpful or actively prohibited.
- Toys from home. Most programs ban them to prevent loss and conflict. A small comfort lovey for nap is usually fine.
- Loose blankets for infants. Per Safe Sleep guidance, infants under one are placed in a sleep sack only. No loose blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals in cribs.
- Snacks with common allergens. Most programs are nut-free at minimum. Many ask families to skip honey for under-ones, raw vegetables that pose choking risk for under-fours, and other top allergens. Read your program's food policy.
- Books from home. Most programs prefer their own library. A board book your child carries for comfort is usually fine.
- Jewelry, hair clips with small parts, anything with strings or cords. Choking and strangulation hazards.
A typical cost of stocking the bag
Daycare supplies are an underappreciated cost. Most families spend $300 to $700 in the first month outfitting infants and $150 to $350 per month thereafter on diapers, wipes, food, and replacement clothes. Toddlers cost less in supplies, more in laundry. Preschoolers are the cheapest stage in supplies, expensive in outgrown shoes.
| Age | Initial setup | Monthly recurring |
|---|
| Infant (under 1) | $300 to $700 | $200 to $400 (diapers, wipes, formula or milk storage) |
| Toddler (1 to 2) | $150 to $300 | $100 to $250 |
| Preschooler (3 to 5) | $80 to $150 | $40 to $100 |
Source: DaycareSquare reader survey 2025 (n=412 families); USDA Cost of Raising a Child estimates 2024 update.
A workable system
A few small habits make the daily bag-pack much less stressful.
- Pack the bag the night before.
- Keep two bags in rotation. While one is at daycare, the other is loaded for the next day.
- Prep three to five days of bottles, lunches, or snacks at once and label by day.
- Keep a "back-up" cubby kit (clothes, diapers, wipes) refilled on Sunday so the program never runs out mid-week.
- Take a photo of your child's daily packing list and pin it inside the bag.
The honest first month. Even with a good system, you will forget something in the first month. Twice. A good program will lend you a pair of pants or a bottle and not make you feel bad about it. If your program is rigid about minor missing items at the door, that is a small but real signal about the culture.
Bottom line
Bring what your child needs to be comfortable and safe through a long day, and label all of it. Match what your specific program requires, and resist the urge to over-pack. A simple, consistent system beats a perfect one you maintain for two weeks.
For more on getting ready, see our preparing for daycare pillar, our separation anxiety guide, and our free daycare comparison checklist.
