What to Pack in a Nursery Bag: Essential Kit for Kids

Starting nursery is exciting, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming when you're trying to figure out what to pack. What does your child actually need? What will the nursery provide? How many spare clothes is enough?

Starting nursery is exciting, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming when you're trying to figure out what to pack. What does your child actually need? What will the nursery provide? How many spare clothes is enough?

Getting the nursery bag right can make mornings smoother, help your child feel more settled, and save you last-minute stress. Let’s break down everything you need to pack in your child’s nursery bag so you feel prepared and confident from day one.

The Basics: What Every Nursery Bag Needs

Every child's nursery bag is a bit different depending on their age and what the nursery provides, but there are some essentials that most children need.

Before your child starts, the nursery should give you a list of what to bring. If they haven't, it's worth giving them a call to check. That said, here's what most nurseries ask for, and how you can make that first day at nursery a little easier.

Spare Clothes: Pack More Than You Think

Choosing the right clothes for a day at nursery is really vital, but one of the most important things to pack is spare clothes… and we mean several changes! Nursery is messy, fun, and things happen. Your child might spill food, have a little accident, get paint in their hair during messy play, or splash in puddles. So you'll want plenty of spare clothes on hand.

What to pack:

• At least 2-3 complete changes of clothes (vests, t-shirts, trousers, leggings, or dresses)
• Several pairs of socks
• Spare underwear if your child is toilet training
• Spare shoes (optional, but helpful)

Nuuri top tip: Pack clothes that are easy to wash and don't matter if they get stained. Dark colours are your friend here because they hide stains better. Avoid anything with lots of buttons or complicated fastenings that staff might struggle with during quick changes.

Nappies, Wipes, and Nappy Cream

While you’re preparing for nursery you might be starting toilet training. If your child is still in nappies, you'll need to check with the nursery about what they provide. Some nurseries ask you to supply nappies, wipes, and nappy cream, others provide these themselves. Either way, it's worth having a chat about it.

What to pack (if required):

• A supply of nappies (ask the nursery how many they go through in a day)
• Wipes
• Nappy rash cream (if your child uses one)
• Nappy sacks for soiled nappies

Nuuri top tip: Many nurseries are happy to use reusable nappies if that's what you use at home. Just ask and make sure you provide a wet bag for soiled nappies.

Outdoor Clothing: Be Ready for All Weather

As we all know all too well, our British climate is a bit unpredictable, and lots of nurseries play outside whatever the weather. So you need to pack outdoor clothing for all seasons.

For sunny weather:

• Sun hat
• Sunscreen (check if the nursery provides this or if you need to bring your own)
• Light layers

For rainy weather:

• Waterproof jacket or raincoat
• Wellies or waterproof boots
• Umbrella (optional)

For cold weather:

• Warm coat or fleece
• Hat and gloves
• Scarf (optional)

Nuuri top tip: Label everything with your child's name. Outdoor items get lost easily, and name labels help staff return them to the right child.

Food, Milk, and Snacks

What you need to pack depends on your child's age and what the nursery provides for meals and snacks.

For babies:

• Bottles of breast milk or formula (in an insulated bag with an ice pack if needed)
• Follow NHS guidance on transporting milk safely

For toddlers and older children:

• Check with the nursery about snacks and meals
• Some nurseries provide everything; others ask you to send snacks
• If you're sending snacks, pack healthy options like fruit, crackers, or yoghurt
• Pack a water bottle (most nurseries ask for water only, not juice)

Nuuri top tip: Prepare snacks the night before to save time in the morning. Label bottles and containers with your child's name.

Comforters and Special Items

If your child has a special toy or comforter they use at home, bringing it to nursery can help them settle in, get over that nursery separation anxiety, and feel more secure in their new surroundings.

What to consider:

• A small teddy, blanket, or muslin that your child loves
• A dummy or teething toy if your child uses one
• Make sure any comforter is safe for a nursery environment (no loose parts that could be a choking hazard)

Important: Check with the nursery about their comforter policy. Some nurseries ask you to leave comforters at the door and provide a nursery toy instead. This helps prevent items getting lost or damaged.

Nuuri top tip: If your child has a very favourite toy, consider buying a backup identical toy to keep at home as a replacement, just in case the nursery one goes missing.

Medicines and Medical Supplies

If your child takes any daily medicines or has any medical conditions, you'll need to bring these to the nursery.

What to do:

• Speak to the nursery before your child starts
• Hand medicines directly to staff (not left in the nursery bag)
• Complete any medical forms the nursery requires
• Make sure staff understand your child's condition and any emergency procedures (it’s best to schedule time in advance to ask questions and explain everything to the staff)

What NOT to Pack in a Nursery Bag

Just as important as knowing what to pack is knowing what not to pack. Most nurseries have clear policies about this.

Don't pack:

• Plastic bags or drawstring bags (safety hazard)
• Food or snacks (unless the nursery specifically asks)
• Electronics or tablets
• Toys (unless it's an approved comforter)
• Medication left unsupervised in the bag
• Nappy cream left unsupervised (hand it to staff)
• Sunscreen left unsupervised (hand it to staff)

Labelling Everything: The Golden Rule

This is so important we're making a point of saying it again: label everything. Seriously, even when you think you don’t need to. Nurseries are full of similar-looking clothes, and items get mixed up easily. The last thing you need after pick-up is comforting your child who’s lost their favourite jacket or (god forbid) toy.

How to label:

• Use iron-on name labels
• Use stick-on labels
• Use name stamps (quick and easy)
• Write directly on the label with a permanent marker
• Label clothes, shoes, bottles, containers, and outdoor items

Nuuri top tip: Invest in a name stamp or iron-on labels. It saves so much time and means you don't have to worry about items getting lost.

What Makes a Good Nursery Bag?

Choose a bag that's:

• Small enough for your child to carry (if they're old enough)
• Big enough to hold everything they need
• Easy to wash (because it will get messy)
• Clearly labelled with your child's name

Many nurseries provide a peg or cubby hole where your child hangs their bag, so it doesn't need to be huge.

Packing Tips to Make Your Life Easier

Tip 1: Pack a week's worth on Sunday

Pack a full week's supply of clothes and supplies on Sunday evening so you don't have to think about it during the week. Just grab the bag and go.

Tip 2: Keep a spare set at nursery

Ask if you can leave a spare set of clothes at the nursery for emergencies. This saves you from having to rush home if your child has an accident or gets very messy.

Tip 3: Use a checklist

Create a simple checklist of what needs to be in the bag each day. Stick it on your fridge or phone so you don't forget anything.

Tip 4: Involve your child

If your child is old enough, let them help pack their bag. It makes them feel involved and excited about going to nursery.

Tip 5: Keep backup supplies

Keep backup supplies of nappies, wipes, and spare clothes at home so you can restock the nursery bag easily.

Tip 6: Check the bag regularly

Check your child's nursery bag regularly and remove any items that have come home. This keeps the bag from getting too full and makes sure you're not sending dirty clothes back.

First Day of Nursery Packing: A Quick Checklist

For your child's first day, make sure you have:

• At least 2-3 complete changes of clothes
• Spare socks and underwear
• Nappies and wipes (if required)
• Outdoor clothing for the season
• Any medicines or medical supplies
• A comforter (if your child uses one)
• Bottles and milk (if required)
• Water bottle
• Everything labelled with your child's name

Using Nuuri to Find the Right Nursery

When you're choosing a nursery, read parent reviews on Nuuri to see what other parents say about the nursery's policies and what they ask you to bring. Parents often mention whether the nursery is organised about packing lists and whether they communicate clearly about what's needed. This can help you choose a nursery that's well-organised and communicative.

Find the perfect nursery near you in just a few clicks with Nuuri’s local childcare search.

Frequently Asked Questions