10 things your child needs for kindergarten
10.8.2023
Translation: Eva Francis
Starting kindergarten is a big deal. Are you ready for it? If not, I can help you with the unemotional part of the kindergarten start – buying all the things your kid needs.
It’s a special moment when the big envelope from kindergarten arrives. It’s a bit like the ticket to the next stage of your child’s life. And your life, too.
From a more sober point of view, the envelope only contains the groups and timetable. And a long to-do list.
You’ll have to buy quite a few things before the summer holidays end – things your child will need to take to kindergarten daily or at least weekly. And things that will stay there permanently. Here’s a list of ideas that will help you find the right ones.
1. Painting apron
Kids do a lot of drawing, painting and crafting at kindergarten and you don’t want acrylic paint or glue to end up on their clothes. Therefore, if in doubt, you’re best off getting a long-sleeved apron. And choose one size too big rather than too small if you’re not sure. An old shirt of yours will also do the trick.
If you don’t know where to put all the handmade things and drawings your little one will produce, here are some simple storage tips:
2. Name tag utensils
To make sure your child’s utensils, clothes, and accessories don’t get lost – trust me, that happens all the time – you’re well advised to put their name on everything. You can do this with a textile marker or stamp. Or, if you’ll pass the things on one day, use removable name tags.
3. Slippers
I know from my own experience that you can wait until the last minute to buy the mandatory kindergarten slippers. Get them too early and they might already be too small by the time kindergarten starts. That’s how fast children’s feet grow. If possible, get slippers that are closed at the back so that your little one can move more freely when playing, jumping and dancing – instead of forever running after a lost shoe.
4. Kindergarten bag or backpack
Choosing the bag or backpack is probably the most important task. By now, you (or the godfather or godmother) will probably have bought one already. If not, there’s a large selection of kindergarten bags and backpacks with short delivery times in our range.
5. Sports clothes
From now on, sports class is part of your child’s timetable. The most important criterion for choosing clothes for sports class? They need to be comfortable and allow freedom to move. It’s a good idea to ask your child to take the sports clothes home once a month so you can wash them and check if they still fit.
6. Rainwear
You surely have that at home already. With the start of kindergarten, however, I recommend getting a second set of rainwear – especially if the kindergarten teacher takes the kids to the forest regularly. That’s where rain clothes inevitably become mud clothes.
7. Water bottle
In addition to the snack box, a water bottle belongs in every kindergarten bag. Make sure it’s leakproof and small, as not every bottle will fit into a kindergarten bag. Don’t forget to check the dimensions.
8. Toothbrush with protective cover
In kindergarten, kids don’t only brush their teeth once a year when the «toothbrush fairy» visits and shows them how it’s properly done, but every time they eat sweets. Sweets in kindergarten? Yes, for every kid’s birthday. With a class of around 20 children, that’s quite regularly. Kindergarten recommends keeping the toothbrush on site in a protective cover.
Dental care accessories
Quantity discount
CHF8.95 per piece for 3 units
Edco Toothbrush holder plastic
Toothbrush case
9. Snack box
It’s worth investing in two or three good snack boxes from the very start, as they’ll be in use every day. Make sure they’re functional and convenient – leakproof, easy to open and close, equipped with several compartments and small enough to fit in the kindergarten bag or rucksack. If the box also looks pretty, it’s perfect.
Lunch boxes
Quantity discount
CHF7.65 per piece for 3 units
Stor Paw Patrol Pup Power - Lunchbox with compartments
10. Friendship book
Admittedly, you won't find friendship books on any kindergarten materials list. But it makes for a nice gift to start kindergarten. After all, it won’t take more than three weeks before your kid will bring home the first friendship book to fill in – and will inevitably want their own one. Trust me.
Children's books
CHF10.70
Meine Kindergarten-Freunde Einhorn
German, Loewe entry books, Kristin Labuch, 2009
I wrote about the pain of filling in friendship books a year ago. Here’s my rant on those kitschy, beautiful books:
Once you’ve got these ten things covered, you’re ready for the new stage. At least in terms of materials. From an emotional point of view, things may look quite different. Even if you’ve been longing for that day for weeks or months, you’ll probably never be quite ready for it. At least that’s how I feel. When my daughter’s first day of kindergarten arrives, I’ll get one thing for myself: tissues.
Header image: Katja Fischer
Katja Fischer
Senior Editor
Katja.Fischer@digitecgalaxus.chMom of Anna and Elsa, aperitif expert, group fitness fanatic, aspiring dancer and gossip lover. Often a multitasker and a person who wants it all, sometimes a chocolate chef and queen of the couch.
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