Daycare, Sorted: Our Favourite Essentials for Little Kids
September marks the start of a new school year, with many littles making their first move into daycare, preschool, or kindergarten. It can be anxiety-provoking time… how will my baby do without me? How on earth will they nap? Will I be able to wean in time, or pump enough? How will their teachers be? Will they LIKE it? The good news is, most of these extremely valid questions end up working themselves out (our kid hadn’t napped for 6 months… then boom! Miracle workers, I tell you!). To reassure you, while the transition can be challenging, and you may have to leave your kid upset at drop off at times, 99% of the time they end up LOVING it… the social interaction with their peers is good for them! Research shows that good quality childcare can result in better social skills, behavioural skills and early academic outcomes in young children. Keep that in mind if the mom guilt creeps in.
On top of this, starting daycare comes with an extra thing to add to your already packed mental load… the surprising amount of stuff they seem to need. Suddenly your tiny human needs rain gear, indoor shoes, a lunch system, approximately 47 labels and enough spare clothes to survive a minor flood (or at least, multiple ‘accidents’).
The good news? We've rounded up our favourite daycare essentials, to give you one less thing to worry about. Sometimes you want the dollar store option, sometimes Facebook marketplace works best, sometimes you want to invest in something that will survive three kids, and sometimes there's one product that just gets the job done. With two kids across three daycares, here’s our faves we wanted to share with you…
1. Rain Gear
This can be a hard one to get right. “Waterproof” doesn’t necessarily mean “waterproof in a downpour”, or “waterproof if jumping in a puddle”.
⭐ MotherFlock Favourites:
MEC Heritage Newt Suit — For Vancouver daycare life, this is hard to beat. A full waterproof suit means less worrying about whether your toddler is going to sit directly in the puddle (Spoiler: they are.) Options for slightly older kids, and fleece-lined, also available. A great one to get off Facebook Marketplace.
Our favourite local Lower-Mainland business for seasonal kidswear, Jan & Jul’s thin-lined rainsuit, fleece-lined rainsuit, or jacket & pants come in the cutest patterns (MF members don’t forget to use your discount!).
Mountain Warehouse Raindrop Jacket & Pants: For older preschoolers, graduate to a rain jacket + rain pants/bib pants so they can start managing their own gear… and can make a run to the potty if they need to!
Helly Hansen & Hatley also often come recommended.
Don't forget:
Rain boots. Kamik, Stonz & Jan & Jul are our faves and make solid, lightweight waterproof boots that are easy for little feet to manage.
Not essential, but can be a nice luxury item for those older kids who refuse to wear rainboots, or for those temperamental Vancouver days: Jan & Jul’s Waterproof Shoes or Vessi’s waterproof shoes.
2. Labels
When we say label everything, we mean everything. Clothes, shoes, water bottles, lunch containers, jackets, hats, mittens, blankets and comfort items are all worth labelling.
⭐ MotherFlock Favourite:
Mabel's Labels — This is the buy it once and label everything option. With tags, stamps, and waterproof, dishwasher- and laundry-safe options, their various packs will get you set up and ready to go.
3. Water Bottle
⭐ MotherFlock Favourites:
Toddlers: Munchkin’s Toddler Sippy Cup has been our go-to. Dishwasher-safe (but comes with a brush for thorough cleaning) and easy for your little to drink out of.
Preschoolers: Thermos FUNtainer - Lightweight, insulated and, most importantly, easy for little hands to drink from independently. Stainless steal, but with a plastic bottom (so it’s not super noisy when it gets thrown around).
Things to consider: Is it durable, easy-to hold, and won’t leak in the bag? Can it be fully taken apart for thorough cleaning? Will it make a racquet when it gets knocked over umpteen times a day (their teacher will thank you for considering this!).
4. Lunch Box
Is there an option to heat up food, or does everything you provide have to be ready to eat? Will you only need to provide lunch, or snacks too? If it’s the latter, a lunch bag might be helpful (try Thermos, Jan & Jul or Canadian Superstore)
⭐ MotherFlock Favourite:
Bentgo Chill Lunch Box - comes with a removable ice pack so you don’t have to worry so much about food spoiling before lunch time.
Needing options for hot food? Try the Thermos FUNtainer or (the more expensive option of) the Omiebox.
5. Indoor Shoes
⭐ MotherFlock Favourite:
Jan & Jul’s slip-on shoes are our absolute go-to: comfy, flexible, and easy for toddlers to pull on themselves.
Native’s Jefferson shoe - since they’re seasonal, durable, and easy to wash, these are a great one to get second hand.
Look for non-slip soles, lightweight materials and slip-on, velcro or elastic closures. And yes, label them.
6. Backpack
Consider if you need it to be big enough for carrying all the spare rain gear or lunch bags, but especially for when they get to preschool age, you want something that isn’t so huge they can’t carry it. One with a buckle strap across the chest is definitely worth considering to make it easier for them.
⭐ MotherFlock Favourite:
Jan & Jul’s mini backpack - with kid and youth sizes, the mini backpack is the perfect first toddler daycare bag… compact enough that they’ll be able to waddle up the street with it as soon as they can walk.
Herschel Heritage Kids Backpack - For kids 3+, a Herschel bag can last years and is from a local company too.
7. Seasonal Gear & other things to think about
Depending on the season, you’ll also want to think about sending:
Sun hat (again, Jan & Jul is our fave)
Sunscreen
Warm hat
Mittens/gloves
2-3 spare outfits, including socks
Winter boots/snow suit
And that’s it… (😉)
Well, it’s not JUST it. It’s a lot to think about. And while it’s tempting to go all out and buy the best of everything, I’m here to say that you actually don’t need the expensive lunch box, matching backpack and raincoat. You don't need to buy an entirely new wardrobe. And you definitely don't need to stress about making their daycare cubby Pinterest-worthy.
The best daycare gear is the stuff that's durable, washable, easy for your kid to use and doesn't make you cry when it comes home covered in yogurt. Or marker pen. Or gets lost. Or they grow out of in 6 months. Pick what gear you want to invest in if it’s going to last a long time, and for everything else, Facebook marketplace is your friend.
And with that… welcome to daycare. May your labels stick, your water bottles return home and your child's spare socks somehow remain a matching pair. You’re both going to do great.
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