Daycare Supplies

The daycare supplies you need

Figuring out the daycare supplies you need is big job. The best way to approach it is to think in categories or spaces or activities. Let's try it. By the way, we are talking about supplies here, not equipment. Supplies are items that are used and replaced. Equipment is more costly and has a "life" such as cribs and play kitchens.

Speaking of kitchens, if you plan to serve meals or even if you will be having snacks (and you will), you will need the following types of daycare supplies (Some of these items have alife but they're small enough and inexpensive enough to be supplies.):

* Bowls

* Plates

* Cups and sippy cups

* Utensils

* Place mats

* Bibs (You may require that parents supply them but be prepared with extras)

* Microwaveable dishes

* Snack food

* Other food (make meal plans and buy in bulk)

If you will have babies in your care, you will need these daycare supplies:

* Spare diapers (in case someone runs out of the ones they're supposed to supply)

* Wipes (same thing)

* Rubber gloves

* Sanitizing materials (check state regs for requirements)

* Odor managing stuff (pure citrus works very well)

These daycare supplies are for general cleaning use:

* bleach

* cleaning rags

* disinfectant spray

* dust pan

* rubber gloves

You will also need to add office supplies to your daycare supplies list:

* forms (medication, field trips, etc)

* highlighters

* markers

* pencils

* pens

* software

Okay, now here are some of the more fun daycare supplies that are used for creative play:

* blank drawing paper

* construction paper

* cotton balls

* crayons

* glue

* markers

* paints

* paper plates

* paste

* Popsicle sticks

* scissors

* tongue depressors

* water colors

* animals

* bead boards for making designs

* bead maze

* beads for stringing

* buttons

* counting games

* magnets

* magnifying glass

* memory games

* music instruments

* plants

* puzzles

* scale

* sea shells

* sorting games

Some of the play items could be considered equipment rather than daycare supplies; we're not trying to put too fine a point on these distinctions and, frankly, you will lose game pieces frequently enough to make routine replacement a necessity. It makes sense to make a list of daycare supplies so you can check off as you use up materials and they need to be replaced. This approach will add efficiency to your daycare operation.

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