Starting childcare — whether for the first time or at a new centre — comes with a long mental checklist of things to organise. One of the most practical questions parents ask us is simply: “What does my child actually need to bring each day?”
The answer depends on two things: your child’s age, and what your centre provides. Some centres include meals, nappies, wipes and sunscreen in the daily fee — which changes the list significantly. Others require families to supply everything. Knowing which is which before your child’s first day saves a lot of last-minute scrambling.
This guide covers everything — the daily essentials, what to leave at home, age-specific items, first-week tips, and the labelling system that will save your sanity.
Step One: Ask Your Centre What They Provide
Before you pack anything, confirm with your centre exactly what is included in the daily fee. This one conversation can cut your daily bag in half.
Ask specifically about:
- Meals — does the centre provide breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea? Or do you need to pack a lunchbox?
- Nappies and wipes — provided by the centre, or brought from home?
- Sunscreen — most quality centres provide SPF50+ sunscreen and apply it before outdoor play
- Cots and bedding — for babies, does the centre have its own sleep equipment or do you bring a sleeping bag?
- Formula or breast milk storage — ask how the centre handles feeding for infants
| Little Stars near Keilor East |
| Our daily fee of approximately $160 includes all meals (breakfast through afternoon tea), nappies, wipes and SPF50+ sunscreen. You only need to pack the items on the short list below — nothing more. |
The Daily Bag: What Every Child Needs
Regardless of what your centre provides, these items should go in your child’s bag every single day:
✓ Labelled water bottle
A spill-proof, easy-open water bottle clearly labelled with your child’s name. Avoid bottles with complicated lids that children cannot operate themselves — simple flip-top or straw lids work best. Bottles get lost easily in group settings, so a bright colour helps too.
✓ Sun hat
A broad-brimmed hat covering the face, neck and ears — not a baseball cap. Victoria’s sun protection guidelines apply year-round, and most childcare centres will keep children indoors during outdoor play if they do not have a hat. Label it inside the brim.
✓ Spare clothing
Pack at least one complete change of clothes. For toddlers who are toilet training, pack two. Choose clothing that is easy for educators (and ideally the child) to manage independently — elastic waistbands, velcro shoes, and pullover tops. Avoid belts, fiddly buttons, and overalls with clasps.
| Age group |
Spare clothes to pack |
| Under 12 months |
2–3 full changes (onesies, pants, socks) — babies go through clothes quickly |
| 1–2 years |
2 full changes — messy play and mealtimes mean frequent changes |
| 2–3 years (toilet training) |
2–3 changes including underwear and pants — accidents happen |
| 3–5 years (kinder age) |
1 full change is usually sufficient unless toilet training is recent |
✓ Comfort item (if needed)
A dummy, small stuffed toy, or familiar object from home can be invaluable during settling-in, at sleep time, or when your child needs comfort during the day. Label it clearly. Many centres ask that comfort items stay in the child’s bag once the child has settled, to avoid loss or sharing.
✓ Any required medication
If your child has a diagnosed medical condition requiring medication at childcare — such as an EpiPen, asthma inhaler, or antihistamine — it must be accompanied by a completed and signed Medical Action Plan or Health Support Plan from your child’s doctor. Centres cannot administer prescription medication without this documentation. Bring the original, signed plan on enrolment and update it annually or whenever your doctor changes the instructions.
What to Leave at Home
This is just as important as what you bring. Most centres have clear policies on these items — always check — but as a general rule:
| Leave at home |
Why |
| Toys from home |
Can cause upset when lost or broken; sharing issues with other children. Exception: comfort items for settling-in. |
| Food from home (if meals included) |
Centres with nut-free or allergy-aware kitchens cannot guarantee safety of outside food. If meals are not included, ask your centre what to pack. |
| Jewellery and accessories |
Necklaces, bracelets and earrings are safety hazards during active play. Remove before drop-off. |
| Electronics and tablets |
Not appropriate for childcare settings; increases risk of loss or damage. |
| Irreplaceable items |
If you would be devastated to lose it, do not send it. Label everything else, but some things are best kept safe at home. |
| Open-toed shoes (in some centres) |
Many centres require closed-toe shoes for outdoor play. Check your centre’s policy at enrolment. |
What to Pack for Babies and Young Toddlers
Children in the kindergarten program generally need less in their bag, but a few extras apply:
- Named art shirt or smock — many kinder programs do messy art regularly. A spare shirt kept at the centre works well — ask your educator if this is allowed.
- Library bag — if your centre runs a library borrowing program, you will need a named fabric bag for books
- Show and tell items — some kinder programs include show and tell. Ask your educator in advance so your child has time to choose something meaningful
- A spare jumper or cardigan — kinder-aged children often move between indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the day and may need an extra layer
The First Week: Extra Things to Bring
Starting at a new centre — even for a child who has been in care before — is a transition. These extras help the settling-in process go more smoothly:
|
First Week Settling-In Kit
- A small family photo (laminated if possible)
- A comfort item from home — a familiar toy, blanket or soft object with the scent of home
- A written note for educators about your child’s routines, sleep cues, food preferences, words they use for toilet, and anything else that helps them feel understood
- Your child’s current routine at home (wake time, sleep time, typical mealtimes) — educators use this to match the centre day as closely as possible in the first weeks
- Any allergy or dietary information in writing, even if you discussed it verbally at your tour
|
Labelling: The One Thing That Saves Your Sanity
Every single item that leaves your house should have your child’s name on it. Full stop. In a room of 10 children, there will be three identical water bottles and two children wearing the same hat. Labels are the only thing standing between you and daily lost property.
The most practical labelling options:
- Iron-on clothing labels — Stuck on You and Label Planet are popular Australian brands. These stay on through washing and are worth the upfront cost for clothing.
- Stick-on waterproof labels — for bottles, lunch boxes, shoes and hard items. Look for dishwasher-safe options.
- Permanent marker — quick and free. Write directly inside hat brims, on the bottom of shoes, and on the labels of clothing. Use a laundry marker for washing durability.
What to label: every piece of clothing (inside the collar or waistband), water bottle, hat, shoes, bags, dummy, comfort toy, lunchbox, bottles, medication containers, and art smock. If in doubt, label it.
A good habit: spend five minutes every Sunday checking that everything coming out of the wash is labelled before it goes back in the bag.
Quick Reference: The Daily Bag Checklist
Print this and stick it to the inside of your childcare bag:
| ✔ |
Item |
Notes |
| ▢ |
Labelled water bottle |
Flip-top or straw lid, clearly named |
| ▢ |
Sun hat |
Broad brim, labelled inside brim |
| ▢ |
Spare clothing |
1–3 changes depending on age |
| ▢ |
Comfort item |
Dummy, toy, or familiar object if needed |
| ▢ |
Medication + action plan |
Only if prescribed — must have signed medical plan |
| ▢ |
Nappies + wipes |
Only if your centre does NOT provide these |
| ▢ |
Sunscreen |
Only if your centre does NOT provide this |
| ▢ |
Lunchbox + snacks |
Only if your centre does NOT provide meals |
| ▢ |
Bottles + formula/breast milk |
Babies only — labelled and dated |
| ▢ |
Sleep sack |
If centre does not provide and child uses one |
At Little Stars near Keilor East, nappies, wipes, sunscreen and all meals are included in the daily fee. Your daily bag needs only the items without asterisks above.
Questions to Ask Your Centre
Every centre has slightly different policies. Before your child’s first day, ask:
- “What does the daily fee include — meals, nappies, sunscreen?”
- “Do you have a nut-free or allergen-aware policy? Can I pack food from home?”
- “What is your sleep policy for babies? Do you have your own cots and bedding?”
- “What is your medication administration policy?”
- “Do you have a lost property process? Where do I check for labelled items?”
- “Is there anything specific you recommend for settling-in?”
For a full list of questions to ask on a centre tour, read our guide to choosing a childcare centre near Keilor East.
Ready to Visit Little Stars?
At Little Stars near Keilor East, we make the daily bag as simple as possible. All meals, nappies, wipes and sunscreen are included in your fee. Our parent resources page also has additional guides and information to help you prepare for your child’s first days with us.
Come and see the centre in person, meet our qualified educators, and ask every question you have — including what to pack. We are happy to walk you through exactly what your child will need on their first day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your centre. Some childcare centres include nappies and wipes in the daily fee — at Little Stars near Keilor East, they are included. Others require families to supply their own. Always confirm before your child’s first day so you are not caught short.
Comfortable, easy-to-manage clothing that children can move freely in. Elastic waistbands are best for toilet-training toddlers. Avoid overalls with back clasps, belts, or complex fastenings that are hard for educators to manage during nappy or toilet time. Closed-toe shoes are recommended for outdoor play.
Not if your centre provides meals. Long day care centres that include meals typically provide breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea as part of the daily fee. If your child has allergies or dietary requirements, discuss these with your centre before enrolment — most centres are well-practised at accommodating common dietary needs.
In addition to the regular daily bag, bring a small family photo, a comfort item from home, and a written note about your child’s routine, sleep cues, food preferences, and any words they use for toilet. The more your educators know about your child on day one, the smoother the settling-in process will be.
Label everything clearly — every item of clothing (inside the collar), water bottle, hat, shoes, comfort toys and bags. Use permanent marker, iron-on labels, or waterproof stick-on labels. Check the lost property basket at pick-up if anything seems missing, and do a label audit every Sunday when washing goes through.
Policies on what to bring vary by centre. Always confirm with your specific childcare service before your child’s first day.
