Daycare prep/logistics

Re: Daycare prep/logistics

• babylimas member

  August 2014

  Will hasn't started daycare yet and we never did cloth, but I might be able to answer a little. I always sent my daughter in exactly what you mentioned - onesie and pants. I didn't really do sleepers bc she was mobile by the time it got cold.
  
  I didn't give a full diaper bag. There really wasn't anything to send. I left diapers, wipes and changes of clothes at school. So I only brought her already made bottles and a pacifier. She was on BM but I will also premake Will's bottles since he is on a different mix of formula.

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• ntdane member

  August 2014

  I can't help with any of the cloth diaper questions, but I would recommend talking to your daycare person/center about it. If they are willing to use cloth they probably have some guidelines or suggestions for you. I'm sure there is a requirement to change them every couple of hours (it was 2 in our state) so plan on at least that many plus one or two extras if you want to start thinking about it now.
  
  For clothes, I would say do what's easiest for you and season appropriate. Put him in things that you won't mind getting dirty, at least once he starts solids. Our daycare also started arts and crafts stuff way earlier than I expected and he would come home with plenty on his clothes. We also kept a few extra outfits there in case of blowouts or big messes. One other thing our daycare required until they were older was a sleep sack.
  
  The only things packed in the diaper bag were for our own use when we picked him up. Otherwise we just used it to transport bottles and food and they would put the bottles back in when they were done. Diapers, wipes, and clothes were brought in bulk as needed and stored there.
  
  Hope that helps!

  

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• jrw526 member

  August 2014

  I'm new to this infant in daycare thing too. We start in 2 weeks!  We didn't send DS until he was 2.
  
  We also cloth diaper and my center said they have to change them every 2 hours and as soon as they poop if they notice.  Stella is a stealth pooper, so I understand it might not get changed right away.  I plan on sending 10 diapers for 9 hours.  We also use cloth wipes at home, but have to provide disposables.  I just try to stack coupons with sales.  I like Huggies Natural the best.
  
  As for clothes, I'm going to send her in rompers/dress style onesies while the weather is nice.  Once it's colder I'll send her in long sleeved onesies with pants or simple outfits.
  
  I'm not doing a daily diaper bag.  We are required to have 2 sets of extra clothes and can bring in a box of wipes and diaper cream to keep at the center.  They tell us when they are running low. As for bottles, I will just bring them in a small cooler daily.
  
  Experienced moms, am I forgetting anything?
  
  
  

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• kaking78 member

  August 2014

  @somersisles Thanks for posting this! I was just about to ask the same things. We got some good news this week - MH got the awesome job he applied for! The bad news is that he starts the same day I go back for the semester so we have about two weeks to find childcare. The places that I know are great are full so we're looking at some that we have heard nothing about.

  
  

  Not to hijack, but if anyone has tips for what red flags we should look for to identify a bad daycare? I know a lot of what people like or dislike about a center is a matter of preference. We haven't had much of a chance to research this and a few pointers would really help. TYIA!

  
  

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• Missfunball member

  August 2014

  I

  SomersIsles said:

  Robert doesn't start daycare until Sept 1... But I'm trying to get organized now.
  
  He'll be there 8am to 4pm at the latest and we cloth diaper. How many diapers should I send? I'm thinking 6-8?
  
  What kind of outfits do you send your LO in? I'm not really the type of mom that cares if he had a super coordinated outfit. I'm imagining just onesies with shorts/pants until it starts to get chilly and then footed PJ type outfits?
  
  Do any of you have their daycare use cloth wipes? I use cloth wipes at home but it's nothing fancy (I run 2 washcloths under the faucet then ring it out before I grab Robert). I just hate the idea of buying disposable for daycare (they don't supply). We only use disposable when out and about.
  
  What do you pack in the diaper bag to send with your LO?

  Check with the needs if your daycare for CD. My daycare requires AIO or each cover also needs an insert. I would bring 1 for every hour they are there to be safe!
  
  I use sposie at daycare, check with them.
  
  also pack 2 spare outfits! I just send him with one set of pants. UsuAlly DC is temp controlled so little variance while they are there
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

                     

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• JenW1029 member

  August 2014

  My daycare color codes everything, our color is brown so I put a of my LO's things in his brown basket - 5 outfits, diapers, etc. They supply wipes. I bought an isolated lunch bag to transport bottles. I also keep the cooler insert in the daycare fridge so when I transport any left over bottles they are kept cold. Label all clothes with LO's name and my daycare requires dates on all bottles, so we change the label every night.
  
  Also ask them what there policy is about administering any medication- gas drops, teething gel, pain medicine. ... just good to know if you ever need it. I was surprised at the policies my DC has.
  
  Good luck!

  

   

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• WoodShopGirl member

  August 2014 edited August 2014

  I think most of the things were covered with the exception of bottles.
  
  A's daycare isn't allowed to prep bottles, so I have to bring them in all ready to go.
  
  I also can't leave them overnight.
  
  Everything else we keep there, so a far as the bag it is just bottles back and forth unless they are low on something that I need to replenish.

  

   

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• Missfunball member

  August 2014

  Oh as a mote for labeling bottle print, make Avery labels with your LOs name on it so you just have to write the date. Way easier if you are rushing in the AM or write the wrong date by accident

  
  

  
  

  
  

                     

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• SomersIsles member

  August 2014

  Thanks for all the tips!

     

  
  

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