Kindergarten checklist: What you need for daycare & kindergarten

Was braucht man für Kindergarten und Kita | Vater und Sohn am Tisch

Kindergarten packing list for transport and meals

  • Kindergarten backpack or bag, not too large, comfortable to carry and easy to open and close

  • Lunchbox for breakfast, possibly another one for the afternoon break

  • Water bottle, shatterproof, dishwasher-safe and securely closable

Change of clothes for daycare

Spare clothes appropriate for the season:

  • two bodysuits or two pairs of underwear and undershirts

  • a pair of tights and 1-2 pairs of socks

  • one pair of pants/shorts each, one sweatshirt, one T-shirt

Suitable indoor shoes for kindergarten

Suitable indoor shoes for kindergarten should above all comfortable, slip-resistant and easy to put on and take off they should provide the child with sufficient support so they can walk and play safely, and at the same time breathable so that the feet don't sweat. Models with Velcro closures or elastic inserts are particularly practical for young children who want to put their shoes on independently. It is also sensible to pay attention to washable materials to pay attention to, as indoor shoes in kindergarten can often get dirty.

Was braucht man für Kindergarten und Kita | Kind zieht Hausschuhe an

Rainwear for daycare

  • Rain pants and rain jacket or rain overall

  • Rubber boots

It is important that the clothing waterproof and sturdy so that children can play outside even in bad weather without getting wet or cold. Our weatherproof children's mud pants, together with well-fitting rubber boots, provide optimal comfort and maximum freedom of movement

Other clothing for daycare

  • Sweatpants or shorts

  • T-shirt

  • Sports shoes (activities are often done barefoot)

  • Gym bag for sports clothes

  • Children's painting and craft smock (e.g. an old men's shirt or a parents' T-shirt, but it is often provided by the daycare)

  • Pajamas for the midday nap

Personal care at daycare

  • Tooth brushing cup

  • Toothbrush

  • Toothpaste (is sometimes provided by the daycare for hygiene reasons)

  • Towel (small, e.g., a guest towel)

  • Washcloth

  • Diapers, if needed

  • Wet wipes, if needed

  • Diaper cream, if needed

Bring your own toys & stuffed animals to daycare?

Not all daycares allow personal toys and stuffed animals to be brought along. However, during the settling-in phase or for the midday nap at daycare, your child should have their familiar companions with them. Our lovingly designed cloth dolls are the perfect friends for little ones – they listen, offer comfort, and accompany your child safely through everyday daycare life.

Medications and Co.

If your child needs certain medications or receives special food due to an allergy, these should always be sufficiently available at the daycare. Check the expiration date regularly and replace the products if necessary.

Attention! For insurance reasons, most daycare providers prohibit their educators from administering medications to the children in their care. This also applies to homeopathic globules or cough syrup.

Facilities usually make an exception only for chronic illnesses and allergies. You should therefore feel free to send asthma inhalers, creams for neurodermatitis and similar items to the daycare if you have made an appropriate arrangement with the educators ...

Kindergarten checklist specifically for summer & winter

  • Sun hat; if needed, swimwear for splashing

  • Sunscreen with high SPF

  • Insect repellent

  • Hat, scarf and gloves; possibly extra gloves in case a pair gets wet

Checklist for kindergarten as a PDF download

You want the daycare checklist at hand and ready whenever you need it? No problem – we've compiled all the important points for optimal kindergarten preparation for you as a printable PDF compiled. This way you can easily check off what has already been done.

View the nursery equipment checklist

Tips for kindergarten equipment your child's

Was braucht man für Kindergarten und Kita | Kind mit Regenschirm im Flur

Basic kindergarten essentials depending on the daycare concept

What your child needs for nursery or daycare, also depends on the facility and its care concept. In the forest kindergarten are both weatherproof clothing as well as waterproof footwear and sun and insect protection particularly important, while in other daycares perhaps gym kit or personal work materials such as craft scissors or glue are part of the basic equipment.

Kindergarten backpack or bag?

Your child has one of them with them every day. In any case, the model should have enough space for lunchbox and water bottle provide, but be comfortable and practical so that your child can carry everything easily on their own. Make sure that they can easily open zippers, buckles, or buttons by themselves can. If they also like the design and color, you're all set!

Check kindergarten equipment

From time to time, check spare clothes, rain gear, slippers, etc., and see whether the items still fit or might be damaged. A good time for this is before the holidays. Just take the whole daycare equipment home and replace any items that have become too small.

Name labels for kindergarten: label clothing with your child's name

Stick on as much as possible: it's best to put your child's name on clothing, shoes, gym bags, and toothbrush kits label with your child's name, to avoid mix-ups. Ideally, the kindergarten backpack with a name be labeled. Especially younger children can't always clearly distinguish their belongings from those of other children, e.g., rain jackets in the same color. Names help children and educators find their way. At the same time, the children learn to take care of their things.

Ask for a checklist for starting daycare

Most daycares give a what-to-bring list of required items to the parents. If in doubt, ask – for example, whether towels and wet wipes are provided or should be brought, or whether children drink from cups during breaks or should bring their own water bottles.

Pure excitement

Small gifts for the first day

Every new beginning is magical, especially for the little ones. A suitable gift can sweeten their start of kindergarten. With us you'll find many personalized gifts for the first day of kindergarten!

Gifts for starting daycare

Small gifts for the first day

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the basic equipment for a kindergarten?

When should you start preparing for kindergarten?

What clothes does my child need in kindergarten?

Discover even more