Essential Child Care Supplies

All types of child care furniture facilities must have basic furnishings and child care supplies to support a variety of routine care activities such as food preparation, cleaning and paperwork. Different types of programs may vary somewhat in their specific needs.

General child care supplies:

•         for each napping child, a cot or foam mattress not less than 7.5 cm in thickness, with waterproof cover; or, for each infant, a crib or cot

•         window coverings in areas where children nap

•         child size chairs, one for each child

•         child size tables (Modular tables will allow for flexibility. Tables may need to be adapted with rims, or made accessible for wheel- chairs.)

•         additional chairs for staff, parents, and volunteers to sit at tables with children

•         cozy couch, chair, or rocker

•         paper cup dispenser or individually labelled cup for each child

•         child-proof gates and door handles as needed

•         car seats as needed

·         extra clothing for emergencies

·         utility sink

Storage of child care furniture supplies which is well organized and accessible is important for the smooth functioning of any child care program.

•         cubby or other private storage area for each child such as individual coat hook with drawstring bag or plastic bin

•         open shelves for storage of toys and play materials

•         closed cupboards for storage of additional equipment

•         lockable cupboard or box for medications

•         lockable storage, or area inaccessible to children, for cleaning supplies and other hazardous materials

•         lockable cupboard or closet for personal belongings of staff

•         space for parents' strollers

•         containers for toy storage: baskets, tubs, trays in a variety of sizes, cupboards with lockable casters for use in activity areas and as dividers between activity areas.

In getting child care supplies, art activities are basic to the development of fine motor coordination as well as visual and creative development. It is important that art supplies are plentiful and varied. Make sure that you have markers, crayons and paint in diverse colors. It is important to have enough art supplies for several children to use at one time.

•         jumbo crayons

•         paper: assorted textures, sizes, colors

•         drawing materials: crayons, pencils, erasers, rulers

•         easels (double-sided with troughs)

•         drying rack or drying space for artwork

•         chalkboard and chalk (including sidewalk chalk for outdoors)

•         paint brushes and paints in a variety of sizes, types, and colors

•         finger paint supplies

•         paint smocks

•         felt markers

•         gluing supplies

•         scissors in different sizes, right- and left-handed, adapted if required, various cutting types, e.g. pinking, curved

•         collage materials including cultural diversity: multicultural photos, fabric scraps from various cultures

•         three-dimensional materials: modelling dough, clay, recyclables

·         assorted things to apply paint with: sponges, bingo daubers, eye droppers, tooth brush

Children learn language by listening and talking. Child care supplies and furnishings which encourage attentive listening help children recognize words and speech patterns. Children develop confidence in speaking when they have lots of chances to practice with their peers and with adults. They need activities and equipment which encourage them to communicate through words, helping them to express ideas and practice their expanding vocabularies.