What to pack in your nursery bag: A stress-free checklist

Starting nursery is an exciting milestone, but it can also come with plenty of questions, especially when it comes to packing your child's nursery bag. Will they need spare clothes? How many nappies should you send? What if they forget their comforter?

The good news is that packing a nursery bag doesn't need to be complicated. Most nursery essentials are simple, practical items that help your child stay comfortable, happy and ready for a busy day of learning and play. 

Spare clothes are a must

If there's one item every nursery practitioner will recommend, it's spare clothes.

Young children are experts at finding puddles, spilling drinks, getting stuck into messy play and having the occasional toilet-training accident. We would advise that you provide more than one spare outfit, and at certain times, children may need more. It’s always best to speak to your key person to check the details to ensure your child is comfortable and can enjoy their day without any disruption.

A good nursery bag should include:

• A spare top

• Trousers, leggings or shorts

• Underwear

• Socks

• Weather-appropriate layers

Some parents find it helpful to keep a complete spare outfit in a labelled bag so it's easy for staff to find when needed. We also advise that you bring a ‘wet bag’ so that dirty/wet clothes can be placed in there to go home.

Nappies, wipes and changing essentials

If your child is still in nappies, nursery staff will usually ask you to provide enough for the day. It's worth checking your nursery's individual requirements, but many parents pack:

• Nappies

• Baby wipes

• Nappy cream if required

Even if your child is toilet training, having a few spare essentials on hand can help everyone feel prepared.

Comfort items can help with settling in

Starting nursery can be a big change, particularly for younger children. Many nurseries welcome a small comfort item from home, such as:

• A favourite soft toy

• Comfort blanket

• Muslin cloth

Having something familiar nearby can help children feel secure as they settle into a new environment. Over time, many children naturally become more confident and find they need these items less often. Please remember to label any items that are brought to nursery as children will often put them down when they don’t need them and can easily misplace.

Outdoor clothing for every season

Anyone familiar with British weather knows how quickly conditions can change. Children at our nurseries enjoy getting outside all year round, and outdoor play forms an important part of their nursery life. Packing appropriate clothing helps ensure they can make the most of every adventure, whatever the forecast.

Depending on the time of year, this might include:

• A waterproof coat

• Wellies

• Sun hat

• Warm hat and gloves

• Lightweight layers

• Sun cream (if requested by your nursery)

At our Birmingham Day Nurseries, outdoor play is a key part of children's daily experiences, whether they're exploring nature, enjoying Forest School activities or simply running around with friends.

Keep everything clearly labelled

It might seem like a small thing, but labelling belongings can save a lot of confusion. Water bottles, coats, lunch boxes, comforters and spare clothing can all look surprisingly similar when there are lots of children together. A name label helps ensure items find their way back to the right owner.

Your future self will thank you.

What about food and snacks?

Most nurseries provide these items; however, it is also worth checking what your nursery does. All nurseries must ensure that children are getting a wide range of nutrients and vitamins through their meals and are required to adhere to the DfE Nutritional Guidance Early Years Foundation stage nutrition guidance, so you may find that certain foods are restricted. Nurseries will also be vigilant in ensuring that children's individual allergies and dietary requirements are adhered to, so please ensure that you discuss with your nursery before sending your child to nursery with any food items.

A simple packing nursery bag checklist

To make things easier, here's a quick checklist you can save for those busy mornings:

• Spare clothes

• Underwear and socks

• Nappies

• Baby wipes

• Comfort item

• Weather-appropriate outdoor clothing

• Sun hat or warm hat (season dependent)

• Plenty of labels on everything!

Nursery staff are here to help

It's completely normal to forget something occasionally, especially during your first few weeks of nursery life. The most important thing isn't having the perfect nursery bag. It's making sure your child arrives feeling relaxed, reassured and ready for a day of fun, friendship and learning.

If you're preparing for your child's first nursery experience and have questions about what to bring, our friendly teams are always happy to help. At Birmingham Day Nurseries, we work closely with families to make the transition into nursery as smooth and positive as possible.

If you'd like to visit one of our Birmingham Day Nurseries, please take a look at our website to see which one suits your family best and ask about a tour. Although we belong to University of Birmingham, we care for children from local families, not just those with links to the university. We look forward to meeting you!