Infants and toddlers
The youngest children need the most. Pack bottles and your feeding notes for infants, plenty of spare clothes for the inevitable spills and accidents, and diapers and wipes. A sleep sack or a small comfort item helps with naps.
- Two or three full changes of clothes
- Diapers and wipes, or pull-ups for toddlers
- Bottles, formula or stored milk, and feeding notes for infants
- A sleep sack or comfort item for naps
- Weather-appropriate outdoor layers and boots
Preschool and school age
Older children need fewer spares but more independence-friendly gear: clothes they can manage themselves, indoor shoes, and outdoor wear they can put on with minimal help. A labelled water bottle is essential at every age.
- One full change of clothes
- Indoor shoes
- Outdoor gear for the season, including splash pants and boots
- A sun hat and sunscreen in summer, warm layers in winter
- A labelled water bottle
Label everything, and what not to send
Label every item with your child's name. In a busy room, identical mittens and water bottles multiply, and labels are the difference between finding things and losing them.
Leave precious or irreplaceable items at home. Skip toys with small parts that are choking hazards for younger rooms, and do not send food unless the centre asks you to, since many centres provide meals and manage allergies carefully.