The night before your child’s first day at childcare can feel overwhelming. You’re staring at their little bag, wondering if you’ve packed enough spare undies, whether you need to send food, and whether you remembered to label everything literally. Take a breath. We’ve helped hundreds of Doncaster East families through this moment, and the truth is: it’s much simpler than it looks.

This guide covers exactly what to pack, what we already provide at MyKidz, age-specific tips, and how to label everything so it actually comes home. Bookmark it, print it, share it with your partner — and then relax.

What Does MyKidz Already Provide

Before you pack the kitchen sink, it helps to know what long day care centres already supply. Good childcare centres provide far more than most new parents expect, and over-packing makes for a heavy, confusing bag your child can’t manage themselves.

What we provide at MyKidz Early Learning

All meals and snacks (breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and late snack) — cooked fresh on-site with our multicultural menu. Bedding for rest time. SPF 50+ Hamilton Sensitive sunscreen is provided by the centre for all children. Families are welcome to bring a labelled personal sunscreen if their child requires a specific brand or formulation due to sensitive skin or individual preferences.

. Art materials, craft supplies, and all educational resources. Drinking water throughout the day. 

The Complete Childcare Bag Checklist — Doncaster East

Use this as your daily packing reference. Items marked REQUIRED are non-negotiable. Items marked OPTIONAL depend on your child’s age or specific needs.

👕 Clothing & Spare Outfits

2-3 complete changes of clothes

Top, bottoms, socks, underwear for each change. Children in toilet training need at least 3 sets plus an extra pair of shoes — plan for wet shoes; it happens. Required

Clothes suitable for messy play

Send your child in clothes you don’t mind getting paint, mud, or water play on. Closed-toe shoes only — no thongs or open sandals for safety during active outdoor play. Required

Warm layer (autumn/winter)

We go outside every day, weather permitting — pack a light jacket or jumper even on days that start warm. Melbourne weather in Doncaster East can change quickly. Required

Singlets and visible-shoulder tops

Avoid singlets and clothing that leaves shoulders or arms exposed — SunSmart guidelines ask for tops that cover as much skin as possible when outdoors. Avoid

☀️ Sun Safety — Required Under SunSmart Victoria

Broad-brimmed, bucket or legionnaire hat

Must shade the face, neck and ears. Baseball caps and visors are not accepted — they provide inadequate protection to cheeks, ears and neck. Confirm your centre’s policy, but most Victorian centres enforce “no hat, no outdoor play.” Required

Personal sunscreen (optional)

MyKidz provides SPF 50+ Hamilton Sensitive sunscreen for all children. If your child requires a specific sunscreen due to skin sensitivities or family preference, you may provide a clearly labelled sunscreen for their individual use. Sunscreen is applied in accordance with SunSmart guidelines before outdoor play and reapplied throughout the day as required. 

🍼 Nappies, Toileting & Hygiene

Nappies (if still in nappies)

Pack 8-10 for babies, 4-6 for older toddlers. Or supply a labelled box to keep at the centre for the week. Label each nappy with your child’s name — it matters in a shared changing room. Required

Nappy cream (if used)

Label clearly. Note: Cancer Council recommends nappy creams be nut-free. Check ingredients if your child is at a centre with a nut-free policy. Optional

Wipes 

Not required. MyKidz provides hypoallergenic, water-based, fragrance-free wipes for all children. If your child requires a specific brand for medical or skin sensitivity reasons, please discuss this with the centre. Check centre

Pull-ups (toilet training children)

Let your centre know if your child is in the process of toilet training — we work with you on a consistent approach between home and centre. If applicable

💧 Drink Bottle & Rest Items

Labelled water bottle

Choose one that’s easy for little hands to open independently — spill-proof with a straw or flip-top works well. Not a sippy cup (spout). Clearly labelled. Filled with water only (no juice). Required

Bedding for rest time 

Not required. MyKidz provides all bedding for children during rest time, including sheets and bedding appropriate to the child’s age and sleeping arrangements. Check centre

Comforter or sleep toy (optional)

Most children settle well using the bedding and comfort provided at the centre. However, if your child has a special comforter, sleep toy or transitional item that helps them feel secure, they are welcome to bring it. Please label it clearly. 

Highly recommended

Breast milk or formula (babies only)

Hand breast milk directly to educators for proper refrigerated storage — never leave it in the bag. Label bottles with name and date/time expressed.

💊 Medication & Health

Any prescribed or regular medication

Labelled clearly with the child’s name, dosage, and time. A signed medication authorisation form from the parent/guardian is legally required by Australian regulations before educators can administer any medication. If applicable

Epipen or Asthma puffer (if prescribed)

Must be accompanied by an up-to-date Action Plan signed by a GP or paediatrician. Inform your centre immediately and ensure your child’s medical management plan is current. If applicable

Why Labelling Everything Matters (And How to Do It Fast)

Labelling is the one thing that new childcare families universally underestimate. In a room of 10 children, there may be three navy blue water bottles, four striped socks that look identical, and six hats from the same range. Labels are what reunite belongings with their owners at the end of the day.

Label everything. Every sock. Every nappy. Every piece of clothing. Every lid of every container. The items that go missing most often are exactly those that parents thought, “I don’t need to label this one.”

Age-by-Age Packing Guide

What you pack depends significantly on your child’s age and stage. A baby’s bag looks very different from a preschooler’s, and packing appropriately for each stage helps your child develop independence — carrying their own bag, finding their own water bottle, eventually packing their own hat.

For babies (0-12 months), pack more than you think you’ll need:

• 8-10 labelled nappies (or a labelled box kept at the centre)
• 3-4 complete outfit changes — bibs add up fast
• Labelled breast milk or formula, handed directly to educators for refrigeration
• Bottles (enough for each feed plus a spare)
• Nappy cream if used
• Comforter or familiar sleep toy
• No bedding required — MyKidz provides all bedding for rest time.
• Sunscreen (note: Cancer Council advises against widespread sunscreen use for babies under 6 months — keep them in shade and protective clothing instead)
• Broad-brimmed hat for babies 6 months and older

Bag size: You’ll need a proper nappy bag or larger backpack for this stage. It’s a lot of gear — and that’s completely normal. 

For toddlers (1-2 years), the bag starts to get a little lighter:

• 4-6 nappies or pull-ups (label each one)
• 2-3 complete outfit changes, including socks
• Labelled water bottle (straw or flip-top, easy for little hands)
• Broad-brimmed hat
• Labelled Sunscreen
• Comforter or sleep toy if your child strongly prefers one at rest time (optional)
• No bedding required — MyKidz provides all bedding for rest time. 
• Nappy cream if used

At this age, start letting your toddler carry their own small backpack to and from the car. Even carrying it five steps builds ownership and independence. 

For pre-kindergarten children (3-5 years), packing is simple:

• 2 complete outfit changes (more if toilet training)
• Closed-toe shoes that your child can put on themselves
• Labelled water bottle
• Broad-brimmed hat
• Any prescribed medication + signed authorisation form
• Comforter if still used at rest time (optional — many children no longer require one by this age).

At this age, let your child pack their own bag each morning with your guidance. It takes longer at first, but it builds responsibility, sequencing skills, and confidence for the school transition ahead. 

→ Interested in casual care for your baby? Learn about our flexible care options 

What to Leave at Home

Overpacking is just as common as underpacking, and it creates real practical problems — heavy bags children can’t carry, lost items, and confused educators sorting through too much. Here’s what stays home.

❌ Leave these at home:

Toys from home — unless your centre specifically allows or encourages them. Sharing small toys in a room of under-3s is a safety hazard (small parts) and a source of tears when a favourite toy gets broken or lost.

Food (in most cases) — MyKidz provide all meals. Sending extra food creates confusion and can undermine the nutritional balance of meals. If your child has dietary requirements we can’t meet, speak to us and we’ll find a solution together.

Expensive clothing — paint, mud, and messy play are daily. Send clothes you’re genuinely okay with getting messy.

Dummies for children over 2 — check your centre’s policy. Many centres encourage weaning from dummies during the day for children over 24 months, in line with dental and speech development guidance.

You also don’t need to pack bedding, wipes, or sunscreen for everyday attendance, as these are provided by MyKidz unless your child requires specific personal products.

First Day Checklist — The Night Before Reassurance Guide

If you’re reading this at 10 pm the night before your child’s first day, here’s your calm, step-by-step reassurance list. You’ve got this.

✅ The Night-Before Check

Frequently Asked Questions About Packing for Childcare

1. Do I need to pack food for my child at childcare?

At Mykidz Early Learning Centre, we provide all meals and snacks — breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack — as part of our daily fees. You generally don’t need to pack food unless your child has specific dietary needs or allergies. Always confirm at orientation, as practices vary between centres.

2. How many spare clothes should I pack for childcare?

Pack 2 to 3 complete changes of clothes for babies and toddlers — a top, bottoms, socks and underwear or nappies for each change. Children in toilet training need at least 3 complete sets plus an extra pair of shoes. Messy play, outdoor play, and toileting accidents mean spare clothes are used regularly, not just occasionally.

3. Does my child need a hat at childcare in Victoria?

Yes. All Victorian childcare centres operate under a SunSmart policy aligned with Cancer Council Australia guidelines. Children must wear a broad-brimmed, bucket or legionnaire hat outdoors when UV levels are 3 or above — which applies September through April in Doncaster East and on sunny days year-round. Baseball caps and visors are not accepted. Most centres enforce “no hat, no outdoor play.”

4. Does the childcare centre provide sunscreen?

Yes. MyKidz provides SPF 50+ Hamilton Sensitive sunscreen for all children. Families do not need to supply sunscreen unless their child requires a specific brand or formulation due to sensitive skin, allergies, or personal preference. Any personal sunscreen brought to the centre should be clearly labelled with the child’s name. Sunscreen is applied according to SunSmart Victoria guidelines before outdoor play and reapplied throughout the day as required. 

5. What bag is best for childcare?

Choose wipeable material, easy-access pockets, and enough room for spare clothes, a water bottle, and any personal comfort items your child may bring.

You’re More Ready Than You Think

First days feel enormous — for parents at least as much as for children. The packing gets simpler every week until it’s just a reflex: bag, hat, water bottle, spare clothes, out the door.

If you have questions specific to MyKidz — what we provide, how our drop-off routine works, or what to do if your child has allergies or specific needs — our educators are always happy to talk through it before your child’s first day. That’s what the orientation tour is for.

→ Book an orientation tour at MyKidz, 81 George Street, Doncaster East