
The night before Bumple started nursery, I remember scratching my head about what to put into her daycare bag. I couldn’t seem to find the balance between packing enough for a two week holiday – and completely forgetting the essentials!
I was tired and emotional about her starting nursery… my brain wouldn’t work.
So, for any new daycare Moms trying to work out this dilemma – here is the quick, handy guide I could have done with that night.
First thing to note: what you actually need to pack will vary depending on your child’s age and the nursery that you have chosen. Our nursery provides cows milk and three snacks a day for children over the age of two.
In some cases, your nursery will already provide some of these essentials – so check with them.
Nursery Bag Essentials
- Nappies and wipes (although I like to leave multiple packs with the nursery so I don’t need to add more every day)
- Milk and/or water bottles
- Bowls and spoons
- Supply of breastmilk or preferred formula
- Snacks – fruit, bread sticks, yoghurt etc (I usually do a baby fruit pouch, a baby biscuit, some savoury snacks and a banana – half to be mushed in with her breakfast and half for later)
- Other meals – weetabix works well for breakfast
- Medication such as calpol/paracetamol (one to check with their policy)
- Seasonal specific protection: sunscreen and hats in the summer / wellington boots and extra layers / waterproofs, hats and gloves in winter
- Sleeping bag
- If they have a no outdoor shoe policy, slippers
- Soother / comforter
- Teething gel
- Lots of spare clothes!
- If your nursery has a wall of photos of families, send in a photo of you all.
It is funny, writing this now as a seasoned daycare Mom – it seems so simple, obvious and routine… but when I was tired, with baby brain and the overwhelming emotions of the arrival of the first day of nursery – I had such a mental block this list seemed impossible!
So – finally – if you are feeling overwhelmed remember that these feelings will pass and it will be fine. And have a read of my blog telling you everything you need to know about surviving the first week of daycare.
Good luck to you and your little one!

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