The Ultimate Daycare and Preschool Supply List: Everything You Need to Successfully Run a Daycare

Are you considering opening a daycare? If so, it's important to make sure you have all the necessary supplies. Supplies for a daycare, preschool, or toddler group are intrinsic to proper functioning mainly because kids that age require a lot of attention and care.

Unless you have the right daycare equipment and supplies on hand and available for your staff, it can become very difficult to not only take care of the kids but also to maintain order.

In this blog post, we will provide an extensive list of everything you need to successfully run a daycare.

Items Needed for a Daycare and Preschool to be Successful

When trying to flesh out your daycare and preschool supplies list, you have to consider every aspect, nook, and cranny of your premise. You need to imagine where the kids and staff are going to be. From there on out, you need to project their schedules, needs, and requirements.

If you can follow every group through a typical day with your imagination, you’ll be able to figure out everything from must-haves for a daycare and a preschool to nice-to-haves. From basic school supplies to essential teacher supplies, read through this list of supplies for daycare and make sure you're prepared for anything!

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Preschool and Daycare Must Haves

Basic school items are a great place to start when stocking your supplies for daycare. Things like

• pencils

• paper, cardstock

• crayons

and other art supplies are essential for any classroom. Make sure you have enough of each item to last the entire year!

Other art materials for crafts listed below are also great to have on hand. Michaels, Staples, and Walmart are just a few examples of teacher supply stores nation wide where you can get these daycare supplies wholesale:

• glue sticks

• markers

• cardstock

• child safe scissors

• Play-Doh

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Furniture and Equipment for Daycares and Preschools

Next, you'll want to make sure you have enough furniture to accommodate all of your students.

Tables, desks, and chairs are a necessity, and you'll also need storage options for things like art supplies, books, and toys.

Cubbies or shelving units are great for organization, and bean bag chairs or floor cushions provide a cozy place for students to read or take a break.

Check out some affordable options for daycare storage here.

Preschool and Daycare Essentials for Teachers and Toys for Kids

You'll need to stock up on some essential teacher supplies. Items listed below comprise a must daycare and preschool supplies list.

A small library of children's books is also a good idea, as well as a few educational toys and games. Check out our favorite holiday themed books here.

Additionally, here are the 30 Best Educational Toys and Games for Preschool to add to your daycare supply list

• Whiteboard

• Small Whiteboards

• Kids Easel

• Large Notepads

• Dry erase markers

• Globe

• Flashcards

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Other Preschool and Daycare Materials and Equipment You'll Need

Fun stickers and erasers are also great to have on hand for rewarding good behavior or celebrating birthdays.

Additionally, don't forget cleaning supplies. Things like garbage bags, paper towels, and all-purpose cleaner are essential for keeping your daycare clean and tidy.

Finally, you'll want to make sure you have some general supplies for the daycare such as first-aid supplies, paper towels, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes.

You'll also need things like plates, cups, and utensils for snack time, as well as diapers and wipes for the younger children.

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A Daycare and Preschool Supply List That Should Set You on Your Way

This is just a basic list of supplies for daycare, but it should give you a good starting point. If you use the imagination technique we mentioned at the beginning of this guide, you’ll be able to take our daycare and preschool supplies list and make it your own.

Remember, the more you’re able to personalize our list to suit your specific child care center, the more convenient it will be for you and the fewer crises you’ll have to face.

Make sure you have everything you need before opening your doors, and you'll be on your way to success!