Daycares buy furniture and learning materials from early childhood suppliers, cribs and safety gear from vendors that sell products meeting current federal safety standards, food from grocery or wholesale suppliers that meet food program rules, and cleaning supplies that are safe around children. Buy durable, washable and age-appropriate items.
Equipment list by age group
| Age group | Essentials | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Infants | Cribs, changing table, high chairs, soft play mats | Crib safety standards, recalls |
| Toddlers | Low shelves, sturdy toys, cots, art supplies | Choking hazards |
| Preschoolers | Tables, chairs, books, learning centers | Durability |
| All ages | Cubbies, first aid kit, sanitizing supplies, outdoor equipment | Safety surfacing, labeling |
Checking recalls and safety
Before buying cribs, high chairs and play equipment, check recall information from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and buy from sellers who state compliance with current standards. Avoid second-hand cribs unless you can confirm they meet current standards and have all parts.
Supplier tips
- Order consumables like wipes and diapers in bulk if you provide them
- Rotate toys to keep interest
- Label everything with classroom names
- Keep receipts for food program records
Worked example: setting up a toddler room
For a toddler room, Tasha starts with low open shelves so children can reach toys themselves, a small table with chairs at the right height, washable floor mats, a reading corner with board books, a sensory bin, push toys and large blocks. Cots are labeled with each child's name and stored so they do not touch during naps, as many states require spacing. Diapering supplies sit next to a changing station with a handwashing sink nearby. She checks every toy for small parts that could be choking hazards and rotates toys weekly to keep interest without buying more.
Outdoor equipment for toddlers is low and simple: a small climber, a sandbox with a cover, ride-on toys and shade. Safety surfacing under climbing equipment is essential and often specified by licensing rules.
Mistakes when buying
- Toys with small parts in toddler rooms
- Furniture that is too tall for the age group
- Second-hand cribs of unknown history
- No covered storage for cleaning products
Avoiding downtime
Daycares should check toys and equipment for wear and recalls regularly.
One more thing to know
Keep a list of recalled products to check against.
Start-up equipment
- Age-appropriate furniture and toys
- Safety equipment
- Kitchen if serving food
- Parent communication app
- Security entry
Where owners usually buy
- Early education suppliers
- Furniture suppliers
- Food service suppliers
Free tools
Common questions
Can I use second-hand toys?
Yes if clean, safe and age-appropriate; check for recalls and choking hazards.
Do cribs need to meet standards?
Yes; buy cribs that meet current federal safety standards.
Where should I buy learning materials?
Early childhood suppliers offer durable, age-appropriate materials.
What cleaning products are safe?
Follow your state's sanitizing rules and product labels.
How often should toys be sanitized?
Follow your state's rules; mouthed toys in infant and toddler rooms usually need cleaning and sanitizing before reuse.
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