The Complete List of Daycare Supplies for Childcare Centers
Daycare facilities are busy places, and keeping them engaging, clean, and safe is a full-time job. Since these businesses use a lot of consumables, daycare managers must keep a constant supply of necessary items on hand—and do so while controlling costs. By using technology, daycares can ensure the procurement process is both streamlined and cost-efficient.
The following daycare supplies list offers plenty of ideas on what to buy for your daycare center, childcare center, or early learning classroom. It also covers ways to save money and time in procurement and details why choosing the best products over the cheapest options makes more sense in the long run.
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Why choosing the right daycare supplies matters
A daycare's appearance and perceived quality are important factors in client acquisition. While parents decide where to send their children based on many factors, the impression you leave during tours and open houses can impact registration numbers.
- Making a first impression is vital to the success of a childcare center. Prospective clients need to feel immediately comfortable with your facility's quality of care, supplies, and functionality.
- Safety is the top priority in any childcare setting. Visible precautions like gates, door locks, and security items tell part of the story, but a center's furniture and supplies also indicate a commitment to a safe environment. Selecting high-quality items that are safe and durable reduces the chance of accidents.
- Investing in quality supplies offers better long-term value. Quality goods last longer, requiring fewer replacements and less frequent spending.
When choosing supplies for your daycare or child education center, consider the following:
Safety: Ensure all supplies are non-toxic and appropriate for various age groups. For infants, avoid small parts that can be choking hazards. For toddlers and pre-K children, materials should encourage exploration but be sturdy enough to withstand rough handling.
Educational value: Choose childcare supplies that promote learning and development. Infants benefit from sensory toys that stimulate sight, sound, and touch. Toddlers need toys that help develop fine motor skills and introduce basic concepts. Pre-K supplies should include puzzles, counting games, and introductory literacy materials.
Durability: Invest in high-quality items that can withstand constant use and are easy to clean. Durability ensures safety over time, as worn-out items can become hazardous.
Variety: Provide a wide range of materials to cater to different interests and developmental stages. This includes books, art supplies, building blocks, pretend play sets, and outdoor equipment.
Accessibility: Organize supplies so they're securely stored but still independently reachable. This promotes autonomy while keeping the environment safe and orderly.
Inclusivity: Select materials that reflect diversity and inclusiveness so all children feel represented by the toys they play with and the books they read.
Comfort and ergonomics: To ensure comfort and support proper posture, purchase furnishings for naptime, meals, and activities that are size-appropriate for each age group.
Remembering these considerations will help create a nurturing environment conducive to safety, learning, and fun.
The Procurement Strategy Playbook for Modern Businesses
Learn the key pillars of a strong strategy, valuable procurement metrics to track, and initiatives you can start implementing today.
Daycare supplies for every age group
The following list will help you find the most important tools and supplies for your daycare business so you can establish better category management. These supplies account for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in your care.
Cleaning and sanitation supplies
- Disinfectants for high-touch surfaces
- Unscented bleach for sanitation solutions
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (at least 60% alcohol)
- Antibacterial hand soap
- Nitrile gloves
- Baby-safe surface wipes
- Non-toxic floor cleaner
- HEPA or MERV-rated air purifiers
- UV light sanitizers for toys and small objects
- Paper towels
- Microfiber cloths
- Laundry detergent for sensitive skin
- Dish soap
- Mop and bucket (preferably a two-chamber system to reduce cross-contamination)
- Toilet cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Bio-enzyme cleaners for organic stains and odors
Educational supplies for daycares
Babies, toddlers, and children love novelty. Supply the daycare with a wide variety of educational activities and captivating toys to keep little hands and minds busy. Consider stocking different focus areas and rotating activities to keep everyone content and engaged.
Reading area
- Comfortable children’s seating (bean bags, rockers, cots, and cushions)
- Low bookshelves
- Variety of age-appropriate books
- Reading lamps or soft lighting options
- Decorative wall art
- Canopy tents or other dividers to create cozy nooks
- Educational posters and alphabet charts
- Storage bins for book organization
- Interactive storyboards or felt boards
- Headphones and listening devices for audiobooks
- World map to accompany geography-related stories
Arts and crafts
- Adjustable-height activity tables
- Easels, drawing pads, and wall-mounted paper roll dispensers
- Storage cabinets for art supplies
- Aprons or smocks
- Paint brushes and sponges
- Non-toxic, washable paints
- Crayons, markers, colored pencils, and chalk
- Safe scissors tailored for young children's hands
- Non-toxic glue sticks and white glue
- Recycled materials bin for eco-friendly crafting
- Drying rack for artwork
- Clay and modeling dough with safe sculpting tools
Fine motor tools
- Puzzle sets
- Lacing beads and strings for threading activities
- Manipulative toys like blocks and Lego pieces
- Sensory bins filled with rice, beans, or sand
- Finger puppets for imaginative play
- Stacking rings and nesting cups
- Magnetic drawing boards
- Playdough sets complete with molds and tools
- Pre-writing boards with traceable letters and shapes
- Pop beads or snap-together jewelry kits
- Sorting games with color or shape-matching features
Gross motor toys
- Climbing frames or jungle gyms to enhance physical strength
- Low or adjustable-height balance beams for coordination
- Trikes, balance bikes, or pedal cars to encourage balance and leg strength
- Sandboxes with shovels, buckets, and other digging toys to build arm muscles
- Swing sets to improve muscle tone and balance
- A small obstacle course set up with tunnels, hoops, and cones for running, jumping, crawling, and maneuvering exercises
- Outdoor play equipment like soccer goals, basketball hoops, and soft foam balls
Sensory play
Sensory integration is all about using your senses to engage with your environment. Sensory toys provide opportunities to experience different textures, temperatures, sounds, and sights. Look for easy-to-clean objects and projects that delight little learners.
- Soft, textured rest mats and blankets
- Water play table with scooping and pouring tools
- Sand table with shovels, rakes, and molds
- Tactile boards featuring materials like fabric, buttons, and zippers
- Bin filled with sensory balls of different sizes and textures
- Sound discovery station with musical instruments
- Light table for exploring colors and shadows
- Scented playdough or modeling clay
- Small indoor trampoline for active learners
- Mirrors for exploration and self-recognition
- Bubble wrap for tactile stimulation
- Fish tank or indoor water fountain for calming visual and auditory elements
- Nature exploration kit with magnifying glasses, insect catchers, and leaf charts
- Mini garden area for digging, planting seeds, and watching plants grow
- Visual aids like colorful posters or flashcards to enhance vocabulary through sensory experiences
Imagination and creativity toys
Play-based learning is an important component of early childhood development. Self-directed, dramatic play is an excellent way to introduce children to important social behaviors like empathy and collaboration. It also helps young learners understand their world and develop their interests. Incorporate a variety of performative and pretend-based activities to engage children's senses and develop their soft skills.
- A variety of musical instruments for small hands (e.g., tambourines, xylophones, small drums)
- A dress-up corner with costumes for different characters and professions
- Storage cubbies for organizing instruments and costumes
- Puppets and a puppet theater for imaginative storytelling and role-play
- Book displays featuring music, dance, and fairy tales to spark imagination
- Mirrors at child height for dance and dress-up activities
- A selection of age-appropriate music
- Props like scarves, hats, and toy microphones
Food and beverage supplies
Creating clean, manageable routines for feeding daycare kids is crucial for maintaining a healthy environment. Disposable goods and durable supplies help keep mealtimes manageable for children and staff. Combining good supplies with effective hygiene protocols helps workers reduce germ transmission in the facility.
- Child-sized plates and bowls
- Utensils suitable for small hands
- High chairs and booster seats
- Reusable placemats or tray covers
- Child-friendly snack dispensers
- Dishwasher-safe cups, plates, utensils, and serving tools
- Disposable food-safe gloves for handling snacks and meals
Safety supplies
Daycare facilities must adhere to state and federal safety standards by stocking and maintaining essential safety equipment. This includes first aid kits and fire extinguishers, as well as a long list of other important safety supplies.
- A portable suction rescue device for choking
- Child-safe door and cabinet locks
- Non-toxic cleaning products
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Safety gates for stairways and restricted areas
- Corner and edge bumpers
- Outlet covers
- Window guards and safety netting
- Anti-scald devices
- Finger-pinch guards
- Emergency evacuation cribs and strollers
- Non-slip mats
- Secure storage for hazardous materials
The Procurement Strategy Playbook for Modern Businesses
Learn the key pillars of a strong strategy, valuable procurement metrics to track, and initiatives you can start implementing today.
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How to choose the safest and most reliable daycare supplies
To ensure you stock safe, reliable supplies for your daycare, start by selecting products from reputable manufacturers known for their commitment to safety. Look for items that meet or exceed safety standards, and consider durability and ease of cleaning to maintain a hygienic environment. Investing in quality can prevent accidents and promote a secure atmosphere for children in your care.
Here are some ways to ensure safety and reliability when choosing supplies:
- Select high-quality suppliers: Seek out companies that specialize in childcare products and have a proven track record of safety. Reading reviews and testimonials can provide insights into a brand's reliability and safety standards.
- Check for safety certifications: Ensure all products meet safety standards and have certifications from recognized authorities such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Assemble classroom furniture properly and secure it to walls according to safety codes.
- Opt for non-toxic materials: Select products made from non-toxic materials, particularly for items children are likely to put in their mouths. Avoid supplies containing BPA, phthalates, lead, and other harmful chemicals.
- Prioritize products designed for children: Choose supplies specifically designed for young children. These products will be made from unbreakable materials, have rounded corners, and be appropriately sized for little hands and bodies.
- Inspect supplies regularly: Regularly inspect all daycare supplies to identify excessive wear-and-tear or potential hazards before they cause problems. Watch for sharp edges, choking hazards, or broken parts.
By adhering to these guidelines, you can create a safer environment conducive to learning and growth while minimizing risks.
How to save money and find reliable daycare supply vendors
Any teacher or daycare provider can tell you that the cost of supplies and equipment adds up. Strong spend management and procurement analysis can keep costs down while maintaining quality and consistency. Use these cost-saving strategies to find more success in daycare procurement:
Leverage bulk purchasing
Buying in bulk is a savvy approach to managing costs for common consumables. Purchasing larger quantities of your most commonly used items can help you take advantage of discounts. This procurement strategy helps save money and ensures you have sufficient supplies on ha