If you're considering starting a home or commercial daycare, one of the first things you'll need to do is stock up on supplies. You will need many items to provide your students with a safe and fun environment.
This article will outline the essential supplies that every home daycare provider should have. Keep reading to learn more!
What are Daycare Supplies?
Daycare supplies are items that are necessary for the operation of a daycare center. This can include strollers, high chairs, toys, educational materials, and play equipment.
Many daycare centers also have their own individualized list of supplies they require parents to provide. This helps ensure that all children in the center access the same materials and resources.
It is important to note that daycare centers typically have strict guidelines about which items are allowed in the facility. Therefore, parents should check with their child's daycare center before bringing outside supplies.
Creating a Daycare Supply List
It's thrilling to open a daycare facility and fill the vacant area with everything you and your crew will require! It's time to pick the appropriate supplies for starting a successful daycare business.
Your daycare supply list should include the following:
- Cleaning supplies
- Furniture & equipment
- Daycare technology
- Play materials and craft supplies
- Health & safety supplies
- Daycare technology
Cleaning Supplies
When stocking your daycare with cleaning supplies, the most important thing is to ensure you have everything you need to keep your students safe and healthy. From wipes to disinfectants, they help to keep your students safe and healthy.
Depending on the size of your daycare and the age of your students, your cleaning supply list may vary.
For example, if you have a large daycare with young children, you'll need a lot of wipes and disinfectants to keep surfaces clean. However, if you have a small daycare with older children, you may not need as many wipes and disinfectants.
Either way, it's always better to avoid caution and ensure you have everything you need to keep your daycare clean.
For an example of must-have supplies for a home daycare that may only need basic cleaning supplies, see below:
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
- Hand sanitizer
- Liquid hand soap
However, if you have a larger daycare or if you care for infants and toddlers, you'll need to stock up on additional items such as:
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Baby bottles and formula
- Cleaning cloths
The best way to ensure you have everything you need is to list all the potential cleaning supplies you might need and then stock up accordingly. That way, you'll always be prepared for whatever messes your students might make.
Furniture & Equipment
You'll need to have enough furniture and equipment to accommodate your students. This can include:
- Tables
- Chairs
- Cribs
- Outdoor play equipment
- High chairs
- Strollers
- Car seats
- Playpens
- Nap mats
- Step stools
You should also have a supply of bedding, such as blankets and sheets.
Play Materials
It's essential to have a variety of play materials for your students. This can include balls, puzzles, blocks, and toys. It would help if you also had art supplies such as crayons, markers, and paper. You can purchase brand-new toys that are age-appropriate exclusively for the kids in your care once your home daycare is established and you earn a regular income.
- Blocks
- Ball pit
- Art supplies (paints, brushes, canvases, markers, coloured pencils, crayons, chalk)
- Stuffed animals
- Puzzles
- Dolls and dollhouse furniture
- Board games (checkers, chess, Monopoly)
- Kitchen set (pots and pans, dishes, utensils)
- Garage set (trucks, cars, tools)
- Playground equipment (swingset, slide)
Health & Safety Supplies
You'll need to have a few health and safety supplies in case of an emergency. This can include first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, and smoke detectors. You should also have a plan for evacuating in case of an emergency.
- First Aid kit
- CPR Mask
- Fire extinguisher
- Smoke detectors
- CO detectors
- Emergency preparedness kit
- Childproofing supplies
- Food storage and preparation supplies (e.g., thermometers, cutting boards)
- Outdoor play area safety supplies (e.g., fencing, gates)
Daycare Technology
Technology for child care is an essential factor in the classroom nowadays. Use the adaptability that smart gadgets allow offering instructional options like videos, music, and even virtual field trips.
Smart devices can help teachers organize drop-offs and pick-ups, monitor their classrooms, and update parents. It includes:
- Video cameras
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Speaker
- Parent Communication App
- Computer
- Printer
- Smartphone
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, everything you need to get started as a home daycare provider! Of course, every daycare is different, and you may need to adjust your supplies accordingly.
But with these basics in mind, you'll be well on your way to providing quality care for the little ones in your care. If you want some daycare play equipment, check us out at Simplified Playgrounds, your one-stop shop for all your daycare needs!
So what are you waiting for? Get started today and simplify your daycare play equipment with Simplified Playgrounds! Thank you for reading, and we hope this was helpful.
Home Daycare FAQs
Here are the frequently asked questions for daycares:
What age is the best time for daycare?
The best time for daycare is when your child is 12 months old. This is because they will be able to interact with other children and will also be able to learn new things.
What should a childcare checklist include?
There are a few things you should look for when choosing a daycare. The first is licensing. Ensure the daycare has a license and up-to-date certifications.
Second, check out the staff-to-child ratio. The lower, the better, as this will ensure your child gets more individual attention.
Third, take a tour of the daycare and meet with the staff. Ask them about their policies and procedures, and get a sense of how they interact with children.
Finally, ask for references from other parents who have enrolled their children at the daycare.
How many hours is too long at daycare?
It depends on your child's age, but as a general rule, toddlers should not be in daycare for more than eight hours per day. Older children can go up to 10-12 hours, but no more than that.
Do babies benefit from daycare?
There are a lot of benefits to daycare for babies. It can help them learn how to socialize with other children, it can help develop their language skills, and it can help them learn new things.
Daycare can also be a great way for babies to get exercise and fresh air. And it's a great way for parents to get a break from time to time!
How do I prepare for daycare on the first day?
You can prepare for daycare by packing your child's bag with all the necessary supplies the night before. This will help reduce morning stress and ensure your child has everything they need for a successful day.