Essential Items to Buy When Starting Home Daycare

[mandy2552]

Hi all-

I am curious what the essential items are when you first start up a home daycare. I will have a few children under 2 so I am interested in hearing about infant essentials as well.
So far I've purchased 4 graco pack n plays, changing table and various toys.
Also, how many high chairs would you recommend? Do you need 1 for each baby?

Thanks!

[Unregistered]

Hi all-

I am curious what the essential items are when you first start up a home daycare. I will have a few children under 2 so I am interested in hearing about infant essentials as well.
So far I've purchased 4 graco pack n plays, changing table and various toys.
Also, how many high chairs would you recommend? Do you need 1 for each baby?

Thanks!

I don't use pack and plays I don't have the space everyone naps on cots. I have a high chair for anyone under 22 months. Everyone else sits at the table. I also don't have space for a change table so we use a change mat.

[LysesKids]

Hi all-

I am curious what the essential items are when you first start up a home daycare. I will have a few children under 2 so I am interested in hearing about infant essentials as well.
So far I've purchased 4 graco pack n plays, changing table and various toys.
Also, how many high chairs would you recommend? Do you need 1 for each baby?

Thanks!

I do nothing but littles under 24 months... I can have 4 at anytime; I have 2 PnP's (Graco Travel lites) and 3 floor beds/mattresses for 12 months & older and I have 2 bouncers. All my babes sit in special made boosters at the table for meals once they can sit up because I don't have room for 4 highchairs. I have what's called free range kids... they play on the floor a lot and once crawling they learn their boundaries. They don't get put in swings or walkers or any of those things... I don't own any

[Alwaysgreener]

I use High chairs for 6-12 months, while I feed them. I use a spacesaver chair, it attaches to a chair or sits on the floor. booster seats at the table after that.
Beside pnp, you may need cots, mats or sleeping bags plus blankets.
Double stroller and outside toys. Craft items, school supplies (paper, crayons .....) music instruments, dress up, ..........

[mommiebookworm]

I would get a highchair for each one, so you can feed them at the same time. I have 2 spacesavers and 2 booster seats. I have a small house, so that's what I had room for.

[Blackcat31]

Hi all-

I am curious what the essential items are when you first start up a home daycare. I will have a few children under 2 so I am interested in hearing about infant essentials as well.
So far I've purchased 4 graco pack n plays, changing table and various toys.
Also, how many high chairs would you recommend? Do you need 1 for each baby?

Thanks!

Check your state's requirements. Some states are very specific about what things you need for each age group.

Some states do not allow you to use infant equipment (bouncers, swings etc) so that is something to consider as well.

I choose not to use any infant equipment other than a high chair and a PNP as I prefer my infants to get used to floor time and exploring on their own. I also don't want to wean them from these things later.

[hope]

Bibs and wash cloths. Lots and lots of them. I use once and toss in the laundry. Do one load of laundry each night. I also don't do much in the way of baby equipment. Floor time is best! Double stroller is a must.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I can have 3 under 2 so I have 3 high chairs. I did not purchase these all at once. As I added babies I have added or switched out high chairs. I have 6 boosters because I can have 6 kids. But there again they have been added at various times. I have 3 pack n plays and one through the door crib. I have 5 cots because generally I still have one in a pack n play at some point Blankets and sheets- look now for fleece blankets on sale.

The one thing that for me that is mandatory for taking infants is my baby yard and carpet. I have a carpet just to put down for babies with the yard on top. This way I know that they are on a clean safe surface and that I can keep them safe from toddlers. Along that lines- baby gates. I keep the child care kids in the back part of my house. So the gates are mandatory.

Wash clothes- we use them for towels when we wash our hands as well as on little ones faces and hands. Changing pad/ bin for each kidlet for clothes and diapers. My changing area in on my dryer (at the end of my kitchen) and the bins are on shelves above.

Child plates- love these- http://www.reuseit.com/kids-dishes-a...J4JxoCt6vw_wcB
silverware, tuperware cups and their "sippie" lids only for transitioning to cup. I do not like the spill proof sippies and teach them to drink from a cup as soon as possible!

Potty chair(s) and I bought the toilet seat that has the built in toddler seat. http://www.lowes.com/pd_229596-1597-...eat&facetInfo=

Now, this being said this is all after doing this for over 17 years! I started with what I had from my kids and adding on...

[sharlan]

Check your state's requirements. Some states are very specific about what things you need for each age group.

Some states do not allow you to use infant equipment (bouncers, swings etc) so that is something to consider as well.

I choose not to use any infant equipment other than a high chair and a PNP as I prefer my infants to get used to floor time and exploring on their own. I also don't want to wean them from these things later.

BC is correct, check requirements. CA does not allow bouncers or exersaucers. We are allowed to use swings, though. They are trying to ban the Bumbo seats, but haven't as of yet.

Do not over buy. My most used for infants is the superyard. I set it up in the family room so that the infants can be on the floor without the toddlers tripping over them

[sharlan]

Hi all-

I am curious what the essential items are when you first start up a home daycare. I will have a few children under 2 so I am interested in hearing about infant essentials as well.
So far I've purchased 4 graco pack n plays, changing table and various toys.
Also, how many high chairs would you recommend? Do you need 1 for each baby?

Thanks!

Since you are only allowed 2 under the age of 2, you don't need 4 pack and plays. Changing tables save your back, but aren't necessary. I use hand towels placed on the floor for diaper changes.