The last days of summer are slowly fading, and soon it will be time for the kids to go back to school. If you have little ones who have been gone from daycare for the summer, they will be glad to be back in school with their friends. However, with a new season comes new necessities for daycare. Gone are the sunscreen, swimsuits, and beach towels, and now is the time to plan for cooler days.
As a former daycare worker, I have created a list of essentials that your kids will need this fall season:
1. Jacket
As the weather turns chillier, your kiddo needs a jacket. Many times, kids show up on a chilly fall morning without a jacket and have to go outside with their friends. Then they complain to us about being cold. Also, remember to label your child's jacket with their full name. There have been several times that kids have the same jacket and it gets taken home by the wrong child, like two blue jackets or two superhero jackets. Sometimes we have kids with the same first name which can make figuring out what belongs to who even more confusing. So please make sure that you label your child’s belongings clearly. Get in your child’s closet now and make sure their fall jacket is in good shape. If it's not, you can add a new one to the school supplies/clothing list.
2. Coat
As the season wears on and the temperatures turn even colder, make sure to pack a coat for your child. In some areas, temperatures drop quickly while some people see snow as early as October or November. Make sure your child has a heavy coat—like a puffy or fur-lined coat—that's labeled. Now is a great time to look at their winter coat and see what kind of shape it’s in. Check buttons and zippers to see if they work correctly, see if pockets have holes in them, or if there are seams tearing, or other signs of hard wear and tear so that you can start shopping for a winter coat now if need be.
3. Hats
If your child doesn’t have a hat for when the weather gets much colder, plan to get one. This will help keep them warmer when they are outside playing. Have them try it on to ensure it fits well and isn't too big or too small. This time of year, it's easy for children to get earaches that are often caused by a lack of protection from the wind and elements.
4. Gloves and Mittens
Every kid needs a pair of gloves or mittens in the fall and winter time. There have been so many times on the playground when kids were sticking their hands in my coat pockets because their little fingers were freezing. Once again, these items can be easy to lose, but you can’t really mark them with your child’s name either. Instead, get a long piece of yarn, tie each end to the loophole in each glove, and then string it through the sleeves of your child’s jacket or coat. This way, they will be less likely to get lost on the playground or in the classroom.
5. Snow Boots (or Rain Boots)
If you live in an area where you get snow, make sure your kids have snow boots. Put their regular shoes in their backpack or a plastic shopping bag. Sometimes we can go out in the snow if it’s not too cold. The last thing you want is your kids running around in their dress flats or good tennis shoes, so please make sure you bring a pair of snow boots. You could even buy two pairs, one for daycare and one for home, so you don’t have to transport them back and forth. If you live in a warmer climate, don't count out how cold the rain can be. Make sure your child has a sturdy pair of rain boots for wet days.
6. Extra Clothes
Having extra sets of clothes at daycare is important all year round, especially during fall and winter. 'Tis the season for flu, stomach bugs, and rhinovirus. Bring at least 2-3 extra sets of clothes that include a shirt, pants, underwear, and socks. If you normally bring clothes to daycare, this is the time to check your child’s cubby or bag and take home all the summer clothing. Then replace it with fall or winter clothing.
7. Art Smock
When it’s too chilly, rainy, or snowy to go outside, we do a lot of art projects. If you haven’t already, pack an old t-shirt that belongs to a family member or older sibling for your child to wear during art time for messy projects. Fall is a great time to use lots of paint, glitter, and other messy things with your kids. My kids have done everything from glitter apples to finger painting with pudding to playing with shaving cream. We don't want your child ruining their good clothes.
8. Diapers and Wipes
I know what you’re thinking: I bring these all the time. Still, this is the season when you want to keep a close eye on how many diapers and packs of wipes your child has on hand at daycare. As a teacher, there is nothing worse than having a sick kid who is out of diapers or wipes. Make sure you check with your child’s teacher every two weeks so you know what they have on hand.
9. Heavier Blanket
Your child will need a heavier blanket for naptime. Something that is of medium weight is good so they aren’t too hot or too cold. Make sure you take their lighter summer blanket home. If you can bring two blankets, that would be even better in case your child has a blowout or throws up on their blanket. Also, no one wants their child to be sick, so make sure you take your child’s blanket home every Friday night and wash it over the weekend so it’s clean for the next week.
10. Extra Cot Sheet
Make sure you bring an extra cot sheet for your child’s cubby. I have had times when a child has had an accident or soiled their cot sheet because of getting sick, and then I wouldn’t have anything to replace it. Cot sheets are important because not having one on a cot is a regulation issue in most states. So, please bring an extra fitted sheet for your child’s cot.
Daycare in the fall was one of my favorite times of the year. I loved doing different art projects with my kids and reading stories about fall. Still, it also came with unique challenges as well. Things like keeping track of all the extra pieces of clothing that come with fall and winter, keeping a close eye on diapers and wipes, and making sure parents bring the fall essentials for cold/flu season.
Take some time today to go over this list and start planning for your kids for fall and winter. Make sure they have all the things they will need and that everything is in good condition. Going through their closets and adding what they need to your school shopping list will help you stay organized. It will also give you peace of mind that you have everything they need for a productive, happy, healthy school year. Your child’s teacher will appreciate your efforts as well because this guarantees this school year will be a win-win for everyone.
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