Preschool - what do we really need to get for them?

[AmberLab]

So easy to get caught up in the hubub of back to school sales (always been a sucker for a new exercise book!). DS#1 is starting preschool in a month's time and I'm wondering what I really need to get him. Hopefully not much, since I am paying a whopper for him to attend. So far I bought ID tags (the $10 ones from WM where you write their name on them) for his things like sneakers, jacket, etc. I'll probably get him new sneakers and he's got his heart set on picking out a backpack. Am I missing anything?

[Natalka]

I suppose it depends what the preschool he is attending is like - perhaps you can contact the teacher.

Our son didn't need to take anything at all - except a drink. We parents took turns providing snacks.

[bargain_hunter_lola]

DD goes to preschool (a centre based preschool). There isn't too much we need to bring. Just the usual items: indoor running shoes, backpack with a change of clothes, blanket & stuffy (if used) for naptime, rainboots/raincoat (when it's raining).

We dont have to bring any snacks/drinks. At $45 a day, they provide all that. They also provide all the books, writing utensils, craft supplies, etc.

In the summer we also have to bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, towel and water bottle but by September it's not really needed.

I'd just double check with the preschool and see exactly what you need since each one is different. Most usually have a list of items that you need to bring (either posted at the school or online).

[Hailley]

I actually just posted about back to school shopping as well! It's expensive eh?
I think you have everything covered, it's nice that you don't have to buy pens and pencils yet!

[nothingfancy]

DS1 just finished up preschool and is going into kindergarten! eek!

Anyhow, all we needed to bring were indoor shoes with non-marking soles to leave in his cubby at school, a complete change of clothes to leave in his cubby at school (shirt, pants, socks, underwear and/or pull-ups), and lunch bag with snack and drink daily. As per our preschool agreement, we were also required to bring in either 1 box of kleenex or 1 tub of hand wipes. I labeled everything that belonged to DS including tupperwear used for his snack.

It was also our responsibility to dress our children for the weather: snow = full-on snowsuit, rain = head-to-toe rain gear, sunshine = it was our responsibility to provide sunscreen for our child if we wanted it applied (it also depends on the teacher - some will not apply sunscreen). Just my two cents but being able to spend time occasionally with DS at preschool I made two observations: 1) you really need to buy running shoes as indoor shoes (some parents would buy flat soled shoes, ie: girls dressy shoes or even some types of pull on shoes had no tread on them....they aren't very good for running around in say a gymnasium) nothing like trying to console a child who has had their feet slip out from underneath them then fall on their tush and smack the back of their head, 2) some kids really don't like to wear mittens so parents would send them with those really thin cotton gloves, well as soon as they touch the snow they are soaked through, so send a second pair of waterproof mittens just in case.

[teegansmom]

My DD is in her second year of preschool. She needed a change of clothes, indoor shoes, a box of kleenex, pull-ups/diapers/wipes depending on potty training stage. I put all her extra clothes and pull-ups in her backpack as the school did not have cubbies for the kids. Snacks were provided at her school, so I didn't have to worry about that. If going full day, lunch and lunchbox needed too.

[AmberLab]

So far, the school hasn't given me any list, just a request for spare clothes/weather appropriate when needed. I'd hope for $70 (for 2 two-hour sessions a week) they won't ask for anything more. I've heard of some preschools charging $30, but they are mostly daycares doing it on the side and the one I chose is not a daycare. Haven't been to orientation yet though!

I'm making a calendar to countdown and put an X on each day. He is just so darned excited. Back in early Spring I told him when I took him shopping for his backpack, he'd know school was starting very soon. So now I keep getting asked if it's time to go backpack shopping. LOL

[Lunamoth]

My little guy just graduated preschool and they supplied meals and snacks so as to avoid the whole allergy issue with different kids in the school. We sent him everyday with a complete change of clothes. We even included socks because he use to get wet from head to toe at the water table. Sunscreen and hat in the summer. Extra mittens and hat in winter. We were lucky that his school had little lockers so we could leave spare mittens, hats and snow pants in the winter. We use to leave a package of diapers and wipes and the teacher would let us know when we were getting low. All art supplies etc should be supplied by the preschool. Our preschool use to have themes based on the children's interests and we would get a note for those weeks if there was anything extra needed to bring. It was mostly things like pj day and they had to come that day wearing pjs or show and tell. Nothing ever very major. Hope your little one loves preschool as much as mine little one did.

[RSAS]

For preschool, all we had was a spare change of clothes (our choice) , pair of inside slippers and a lunch kit. nothing else was needed.

[Midnightly]

basic a backpack, a change of clothing (incase of accidents-bathroom or otherwise) inside shoes, and a lunch bag.. everything else is just general (sending your child to school prepared for the weather and outdoor play)

i find now is the time to pick up extra crayons, markers, notebooks (work great for at home colouring and helping them with their letters at home) you could pick up a binder or two if you like and a hole punch if you want to save all their artwork (i've picked up extra markers they will come in handy as birthday gifts for all those preschool birthday party invites that are due to arise)