What to Pack for Daycare: A Checklist
By First Cubby Editorial · Updated 2026-07-04
Pack daycare essentials labeled with your child’s name. The basics: changes of clothes, food or bottles, diapers and wipes for younger children, a comfort item if allowed, and anything on your provider’s specific list — requirements vary by age, so check theirs.
The essentials
Label everything — bottles, clothes, bags. In a busy room, unlabeled items disappear fast.
Waterproof name labels (Mabel's Labels)Everything gets lost at preschool — durable name labels end the daily hunt for jackets and bottles.View →A labeled, easy-open water bottle for toddlers, and a lunch container if the daycare doesn’t provide food.
Thermos Funtainer kids water bottleLabeled, easy for little hands to open, and hard to leave behind. The Funtainer stays cold and is famously leak-resistant.View →What the daycare usually provides
Many provide cribs/cots and, for centers, meals or snacks — ask so you don’t over-pack. For the preschool version, see our preschool supply checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What do you pack for daycare?
Changes of clothes, food or bottles, diapers and wipes for younger children, a comfort item if allowed, and anything on your provider’s list — all labeled with your child’s name.
What does my baby need for daycare?
Bottles and formula or milk, diapers and wipes, extra clothes, and any feeding or nap items the provider asks for — clearly labeled.
Do I need to label daycare items?
Yes. Waterproof name labels on bottles, clothes, and bags prevent mix-ups and lost items in a busy room.
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