The Inventory List for a Toddler Daycare

Ensure parents give permission to take toddlers outside before you do so.

The inventory list of any daycare is greatly influenced by the age group it serves. Toddlers present some unique challenges as they learn their way around the world. Various safety measures and developmental stages will need to be acknowledged when going over the inventory list. As a daycare owner, it is very important to make wise purchases of durable furnishings, toys and materials that can withstand the wear and tear of multiple toddlers, so they will not need replacing often. Another important thing to consider, especially in a daycare that cares for more than one age group, is functional toys that can be used by children of all ages.

Safety

Toddlers are curious and on the go, so ensuring a toddler's safety is crucial. A daycare safety inventory list should include safety gates, latches, outlet covers, locks, an outdoor fence and one smoke detector for each level of the facility and sleeping areas. Outdoor climbing and play equipment should be age-appropriate for toddlers. Daycare vehicles used to take toddlers on field trips or other transportation purposes should go through the vehicle safety inspection and be legal for the road. Install car seats properly in all vehicles as well.

Furniture

The daycare furniture inventory list is determined by age and function. A toddler daycare room should have comfortable and functional furniture for the average toddler. These items include toddler-size tables and chairs, a wall locker with cubbies, 24-inch locking, folding storage units, wooden bookshelf, teacher rocker, toddler wooden kitchen, stroller or buggy, toddler paint easel, paint drying rack, area rug, small step stool and cots or sleep mats for napping.

Toys and Materials

All play items used in a toddler daycare should be age-appropriate, including toys and play equipment. Daycare centers should also have age-appropriate activity areas, including an art area, dramatic play area, reading area, science or hands-on experiment area and a group play area. Toddler art materials include markers, paintbrushes, watercolors, large crayons, paper, pop beads, finger paint, chalk, aprons and pipe cleaners. Toddler dramatic play props include dress-up clothes, dolls, acrylic mirrors, age-appropriate musical instruments, old phones, blankets, plastic food, backpack, kitchen set, hats, sunglasses, puppets, purses, wallets and toddler doctor and tool kits. Toddler science materials and toys include bubbles, magnets, sand, measuring cups, funnels, shells, leaves, spoons and an age-appropriate magnifying glass. The group play area should provide hard and soft books, toddler puzzles, large trucks, push/pull toys, modeling clay, counting props and pegboards.

Additional Inventory

Daycare teachers and workers have an office inventory list of their own. The reception area includes computers, computer software programs to manage the child roster and parent information, a fax machine, copier, telephone, clock, work desk, chairs, filing cabinets and small miscellaneous office supplies. The reception might also include teacher mailboxes, a brochure rack and resource books or literature. Sanitary items such as a vinyl changing mat, wipes, paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, disinfectant, hand soap and dish soup should always be in stock. Sipper cups, plastic utensils and dishes should also be provided for toddlers to use during meal or snack time. This specific age group will also require a suitable potty alternative to the toilet; this can be a potty chair or folding potty seat, as well as a diaper-changing area if your daycare center accepts toddlers not yet potty-trained.

References

• Child Care Lounge: Equipment Lists for Daycare
• Wisconsin Child Care Improvement Project: List of Suggested Items for Opening a Family Child Care Center
• DaycareAtoZ.com: General Classroom Furniture List