Getting Ready for the School Year: What to Bring & Why

Please keep 3 to 4 complete changes of clothing at school, including tops, bottoms, and socks.

Soft, comfortable, washable clothing works best. Little ones spend a great deal of their day moving, whether they are rolling, crawling, pulling up, or taking their first steps, so clothing that allows plenty of freedom of movement is especially helpful.

A comfortable fit makes a difference too. Waistbands that are too tight or pants that are too long can make movement unnecessarily difficult.

And please send clothes that you are comfortable seeing come home with a little evidence of a busy day!

For children who are standing or walking, please send comfortable indoor shoes that are:

• lightweight
• flexible
• closed-toe
• secure on the foot
• comfortable for walking and playing

Here are a couple of examples:

AmazonIndoor shoesopens in a new tab

These are simply ideas for styles that tend to work well in the classroom.

Please send everything your child will need for their usual feeding schedule, including as applicable:

• breast milk and/or formula
• bottles
• familiar foods
• morning snack, if developmentally appropriate
• lunch, if developmentally appropriate
• afternoon snack for Extended Day, if applicable

Please label bottles and food containers with your child’s name.

During the first weeks of school, familiar food can be especially reassuring while children are getting used to a new environment, new people, and a new daily rhythm. Please plan to send enough food and milk for your child’s full school day.

Please provide an appropriately sized unweighted, arms-out sleep sack or wearable blanket for naps.

For safe sleep, cribs remain free of loose blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, and other soft objects.

Please do not send weighted sleep sacks or weighted blankets.

Please send:

• diapers
• wipes
• diaper cream, if needed

We will let you know through Brightwheel when supplies are beginning to run low.

Please keep 3 to 4 complete changes of clothing at school.

The best school clothes are comfortable, washable, easy to move in, and simple enough for children to begin managing as their skills grow.

A few small details can make the day much easier.

Elastic-waist pants, for example, are wonderful for children who are learning to dress themselves or use the bathroom. Very tight waistbands can be frustrating to pull up and down, while pants that are too long can get under little feet.

Dresses and skirts are absolutely welcome. We simply suggest choosing styles that are easy for your child to manage during toileting. Very long skirts, multiple layers, complicated fasteners, belts, or tight clothing can sometimes limit a child’s independence and make a new skill feel harder than it needs to be.

We also ask families to avoid large characters, prominent graphics, and writing on clothing when possible. Keeping things visually simple helps us maintain a calm classroom environment with fewer distractions.

Most importantly, school clothes should let children move, work, play, explore, and get a little messy without worry.

We spend a significant amount of time outside throughout the year and head outdoors in many different kinds of weather whenever conditions are safe.

That means children may be digging, climbing, collecting leaves, splashing in puddles, working with water, exploring mud, or discovering something fascinating under a rock.

Please choose outdoor clothing that lets your child enjoy those experiences freely.

Depending on the season, please plan for:

• rain boots
• rain jacket
• warm coat
• hat
• mittens or gloves
• snow pants
• waterproof winter boots
• sun hat

Mud, water, grass, sand, and paint are all very normal parts of a busy childhood here. Clothes that can handle a little adventure are perfect for school.

Please provide a separate pair of indoor shoes that are:

• closed-toe
• secure on the foot
• lightweight
• flexible
• non-slip
• comfortable for walking and floor work

A simple closure that children can gradually learn to manage works especially well.

Shoes should stay comfortably and securely on the foot so children can walk naturally, rather than having to shuffle to keep a loose slipper from coming off.

Here are two examples:

AmazonSee Kai Run indoor shoesopens in a new tabAmazonKamik indoor shoesopens in a new tab

These are simply ideas for styles that tend to work well in the classroom.

If your child naps, or if you are not quite sure whether they will nap at school, please send a washable all-in-one nap mat.

Even children who have recently stopped napping at home sometimes find that they need a little extra rest during a full school day. There is a lot happening between classroom work, friendships, outdoor time, movement, and new experiences.

We suggest bringing a nap mat at the beginning of the year and seeing how things go.

Once your child is comfortable with the school routine, if we find that they consistently do not sleep and no longer need it, we will simply send it home.

Here is one example:

AmazonBunnikins & Clover all-in-one nap matopens in a new tab

A similar washable nap mat works just as well.

Please pack a morning snack.

Please pack lunch each day.

If your child stays for Extended Day, please also send an afternoon snack.