Preschool is such an exciting time. It feels like your baby is no longer a toddler and is growing up fast! My son started in January this year, and I was quite nervous about it, but he loves it.
Preschool is a big step in early childhood education and prepares children for primary school. If you’re unsure about what you should be taking to school, this checklist should help!
What to Pack for Preschool
Packing for your child’s first day at preschool feels like such a big day! It’s the start of their educational journey. Making sure you have the right items can make you feel more prepared for you and more comfortable for them while they are at preschool.
Backpack
Choosing the right backpack is a must for your child’s comfort and readiness for their first day of preschool. A well-designed, age-appropriate backpack offers plenty of space to carry all essential items such as a water bottle, spare clothes, and a lunch bag.
Look for options with wide, comfortable straps that adjust easily to fit your child’s small shoulders. Consider colourful designs that are attractive at an early age, making it easier for young children to identify and feel excited about their nursery bag.
Opting for a backpack made from durable, water-resistant material ensures longevity against daily wear and tear from outdoor activities or messy play sessions.
If like my son, yours won’t wear a backpack, then you can just carry it yourself! I carry the bag and my son carries his lunch box.
Water bottle
Your child needs a water bottle for their first day and throughout the school year. It keeps them hydrated, supporting their energy levels and concentration during playtimes and lessons.
There are designs for little hands, ensuring they can easily grab a sip without spills. Look for bottles that are durable, easy to clean, and feature a leak-proof cap.
Opting for a water-resistant model is a great idea, especially for younger children still mastering their grip. Including this essential item in your preschool checklist will give you peace of mind knowing your child stays hydrated in all activities, from outdoor adventures on sunny days to indoor pretend play sessions.
It’s always a good idea to let them use the water bottle before, so they easily recognise it and can open and close it correctly.
My son loves this water bottle from Amazon. It keeps his drink cool all day, is easy for him to open, and it’s easy to clean.
Snacks
Check if you need to provide your own snacks or if they are included. At our preschool, they have a snack table open all the time so I only need to pack his lunch.
But if you do need to take your own, packing the right snacks for your child’s first day at preschool will really help your child settle in. Opt for healthy foods that are not only nutritious butalso appealing to little ones. Fruits, vegetables cut into different shapes, and whole-grain snacks can make snack time exciting. But make sure it’s food they know and love.
Lunch boxes on platforms like Amazon and Etsy come in various options, making it easy to find one that fits your child’s needs and preferences. My son has a bento-style lunch box that goes inside a Thomas the Tank Engine lunch bag.
Make sure the snacks are easy to open and eat independently. This encourages self-feeding skills among preschoolers, promoting their social skills during meal times with new friends. Pack everything in resealable plastic bags or containers with easy-to-open lids to keep things tidy and manageable for small hands.
Extra clothes and shoes
Bringing extra clothes and shoes for your child on their first day of preschool is a top tip for any parent. Messy play and water activities, which are common in preschools, often lead to the need for a quick change.
A spare set of clothes ensures that your child stays comfortable and dry throughout the day. Including wellies and a rain mac can be particularly important if the school has outdoor activities planned, especially on rainy days.
For shoes, I love these Zig & Star shoes. They are supportive good quality, and look so smart! For clothes, I also love Rachel Riley for casual but smart clothing, like this striped tee!
Shoes suitable for indoor use keep little feet clean and protect them during various indoor play sessions. It’s a good idea to label all clothing and footwear with your child’s name using permanent markers or name labels.
You may need to pack extra clothes and underwear in case your child has a toilet accident. It’s normal for young children to get easily distracted and forget they need to go to the toilet.
If your child isn’t potty trained, then check with your childcare provider to see if you need to provide nappies, wipes and nappy bags.
Napping essentials
After sorting out extra clothes and shoes, it’s time to focus on napping essentials as part of your child’s preschool checklist if your child still naps. First, you should check if the school does naps, and if they do, what are the sleeping arrangements? Some preschools do not offer naps from 3 years old. Others may have a portable nap mat that can be used.
Comfort item
You may want to consider something that adds emotional comfort for your child – a comfort item. This could be a special toy or a comfort blanket that carries familiar scents and memories from home. These items can significantly ease the transition into a new environment for young children. They also play an important role in self-soothing during nap times or when facing moments of uncertainty throughout their day at preschool. Although they may not be able to have it with them all the time, they can keep it in their bag and request it if they get upset.
Children often form deep attachments to these items, which help them navigate the big step into preschool life with more confidence and less anxiety. Ensuring your child has their favourite soft toy or blanket in their bag not only supports emotional well-being but also assists childcare providers in comforting your child if they become upset.
Mealtime Essentials
Lunch box and snacks
You want to make sure you pack the right lunchbox for your child’s first day of preschool. It should be easy to clean and spacious enough to hold a variety of snacks, ensuring they stay fresh and appetising until mealtime.
Opting for containers that are water-resistant can prevent leaks, keeping everything else in the backpack dry. Including an ice pack helps maintain food at a safe temperature, especially important during hot weather.
Packing healthy snacks plays a significant role in your child’s day. Think about bite-sized fruits, vegetable sticks, or cheese cubes that are not only nutritious but also aid in developing fine motor skills through self-feeding.
Label everything with your child’s name using durable labels that withstand the washing machine, which will help distinguish their belongings from others’ and minimise loss or confusion.
My son has:
- Cream cheese sandwich
- A fruity bake
- Raisins
- Crisps
- Cucumber and tomatoes
- Blueberries and grapes
Milk or juice
Make sure you know the policy on drinks. For example, at my preschool, they can only have water in the bottle they use all day, but their lunch drink can be juice or milk. They can also drink milk, juice or water from the snack table. So we just stick to water.
Additional Preschool Essentials
Labels for belongings
Labels for belongings are a must. Try to label everything, from their backpack to their water bottle.
You can purchase unique and durable name labels designed specifically for children’s items. These labels are crafted to withstand frequent washing, making them perfect for clothes, lunch boxes, cups, and even outdoor shoes. We use this Stick N’Stamp.
Hair accessories
If your child has long hair, then you may want to think about items such as soft headbands, hair ties, and clips can keep hair out of their eyes during playful activities and nap time.
Adding fun designs or characters to these hair accessories makes dressing up more exciting for children. They might even look forward to preparing for school when they get to choose their favourite sun hat or clip each morning.
Ensure that these items can withstand the rigours of an active preschool day, including outdoor playtime under the sun and sand table explorations.
Seasonal outerwear
Dressing your child for preschool requires attention to the seasons, especially considering the unpredictable British weather. Make sure they have wellies and a rain mac for those wet days when outdoor play is still on the agenda. I always have a pair of wellies in my son’s bag, and he has a raincoat just in case!
With warmer months, you need to pack sun lotion unless provided by the preschool, protecting your little one from harmful UV rays during outdoor activities. Our school requires that we put lotion on our children in the morning during the summer, then they reapply at lunchtime.
Moving into colder months – a warm coat, hat, and gloves are a must – along with extra socks to ensure that your child stays cosy and comfortable, especially if they may get their socks wet from puddles!
Tips for a Smooth First Day
Label everything
Use a permanent marker or custom name labels to mark all your child’s essentials. Labelling spare pants, nappies, or knickers is especially important for little ones in the middle of potty training.
Don’t forget the necessary medicines
Include any necessary medicines in your child’s preschool kit. Pack an inhaler or medicine case if your child requires it for asthma or allergies.
This ensures they have access to essential medication when needed.
Also, you may need to include a copy of their vaccination history as part of the preschool essentials. It not only adheres to school policy but also keeps teachers informed about your child’s health needs.
Checking that you’ve packed any specific ointments, like rash cream if your child suffers from rashes, can also prevent discomfort during the day. Always communicate with the preschool director about storing and administering these medicines safely – this preparation makes for a smooth transition into preschool life, setting a positive tone from the start.
Contact details for emergencies
Providing accurate and up-to-date contact details for emergencies is a must on your child’s first day of preschool. Parents should ensure these details are easily accessible, either tucked safely in the child’s backpack or directly communicated to the preschool staff.
Troubleshooting for parents
Parents often face unforeseen challenges on their child’s first day at a good preschool. A forgotten water bottle, a lost shoe, or an unexpected spill can throw the day off course. Keeping a stock of any items like extra underwear, indoor shoes, and sun cream in your child’s backpack ensures you’re prepared for most situations.
Having spare clothes and medication ready offers peace of mind for both parents and children. Changes in weather demand flexibility; wellies and a rain mac should be on hand for outdoor activities, no matter the forecast.
Preparing for these different things beforehand allows parents to handle unexpected occurrences smoothly without disrupting to their child’s school readiness experience or enjoyment of simple games during their developmental milestones period.
Finding a supportive community
Reach out to fellow parents, either through local library groups or Facebook groups dedicated to parenting. These can help share helpful hints for first-time preschool parents and even arrange playdates. These will boost your child’s social skills and also enhance their hand-eye coordination and other developmental milestones by learning from peers.
Winding Down At Home
School can be overwhelming for children. You may find that your pre-schooler has a brilliant day at school but then struggles at home. We’re talking meltdowns, difficult behaviour, wanting control, being sensitive, overtired and overstimulated.
At school, they are in an unfamiliar place, and they are expected to follow rules, both socially and in the classroom. As soon as they are back with their main caregivers, they feel safe to express themselves and stop being on their ‘best behavoir’. Just like how we act professionally at work, then come home and need to rant and let off steam, they are the same.
It’s completely normal for this to happen, but it’s a good idea for you to find ways for your child to be able to calm down or regulate their emotions.
I recently got this Whizzy Dizzy. Your child sits on it and spins around, it helps with hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills. But the main reason I got it is that it can help children who need sensory input. Spinning can help them with stress and anxiety, so if you have a little sensory seeker like me, it’s a great tool for them to have. We always put ours in the middle of the room when my son gets home so he can use it if he needs.
Good luck on your child’s first day at school!
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