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Most preschools give you a supply list. However, what they don’t always give you is a full parent-side checklist covering everything from forms, labels, logistics, and the morning itself.
This post covers all of it in one place, organized by category, so you can work through it before the first day and know nothing has been missed.
What This List Is For:
This checklist is for parents preparing for a child’s first day of preschool. It covers the parent-side tasks – what to submit, what to pack, and what to have ready – rather than child readiness or developmental skills.
📄 A formatted, print-ready version of this list is included in the Kids and School Binder.
Keeping school-related lists in one place makes it easier to find what you need and reuse the same checklists each year without starting from scratch.
This includes preparation lists, routine trackers, forms checklists, and event lists that come around on a predictable schedule. For a full overview of what’s covered, visit our school checklists for parents guide.
Below are the details typically included on a first day of preschool checklist.
First Day of Preschool Checklist for Parents
Required Forms and Enrollment Documents
Most preschools require a set of completed forms before a child can attend. Some programs ask for these weeks in advance; whilstbothers collect them at or before drop-off on day one.
Contact the school directly if you’re unsure what has already been submitted.
Common required documents include:
- Enrollment and registration form
- Emergency contact form
- Health history form
- Up-to-date immunization records
- Physician-signed physical exam form (some states require this)
- Allergy and medication authorization form (if applicable)
- Sunscreen authorization form (if applicable)
- Food program application (USDA/CACFP, where offered)
- Photo or media release form
- Pickup authorization form listing approved adults
Keep a copy of each submitted form.
Schools occasionally misplace paperwork, so having your own record saves time if something needs to be resubmitted.
What to Pack in the Backpack
The school will typically provide a supply list, but the following items appear on most preschool first-day packs.
Check everything against the school’s specific requirements before packing.
Daily essentials:
- Labeled backpack (large enough for a folder and extra clothing)
- Labeled lunch box or snack bag (if the school does not provide meals)
- Reusable water bottle, labeled
- Weather-appropriate layers (jacket, hat, or sunscreen depending on season)
- Comfort item or small lovey, if the school permits it
Clothing and accident supplies:
- Two complete changes of clothing in a labeled zip-lock bag (include underwear and socks)
- Diapers and wipes if the child is not yet potty trained
- Pull-ups if the child is in the process of potty training
- Extra pair of shoes if the school requires indoor-only footwear
Nap supplies (if applicable):
- Labeled nap mat or sleeping bag
- Small labeled blanket
- Crib-sized sheet, if required
Classroom supplies (if requested by the school):
- Box of tissues
- Package of baby wipes
- Disinfecting wipes
- Resealable plastic bags (quart and gallon sizes)
- Paper towels
- Hand sanitizer
- Art supplies such as glue sticks, crayons, or markers (check the school’s list)
Labeling
Everything that enters a preschool classroom should be labeled with the child’s first and last name, because items are easily mixed up, left behind, and misplaced.
Label these items before the first day:
- Backpack (inside tag and outside visible area)
- Lunch box and water bottle
- Every piece of clothing, including socks and shoes
- Comfort items
- Nap mat, blanket, and sheet
- All individual supply items
Permanent marker works for most hard surfaces, whereas iron-on labels or fabric markers are more durable for clothing. Label makers work well for bottles and containers.
Morning of the First Day
A short, predictable morning routine reduces friction at drop-off.
Running through this the night before helps the morning go smoothly.
The evening before:
- Pack the backpack completely
- Set out the outfit for the next day
- Confirm drop-off time and parking or carpool logistics
- Confirm who is picking up and at what time
- Review any school-specific drop-off procedures
Morning of:
- Arrive at the drop-off window the school recommends (most suggest a few minutes early on day one)
- Bring photo ID – some schools check ID at first drop-off
- Hand off any forms you haven’t yet submitted
- Keep the goodbye brief and consistent
Administrative Items to Set Up Before the First Day
Beyond the backpack and the forms, there are a few logistical items worth setting up in the first week if not already done.
- Set up the school’s parent communication app or portal (many preschools use apps like Brightwheel or similar)
- Save the school’s main phone number and director’s contact
- Note the school calendar – including closures, picture days, and school events
- Confirm the school’s illness policy and absence notification procedure
- Confirm the late pickup policy and any associated fees
- Set up payment for tuition, lunch, or aftercare if applicable
Practical Notes
This checklist covers the most common requirements across preschool programs in the United States, but individual schools vary.
For example, some programs are paperless and handle everything digitally before day one, whilst others have specific supply brands they prefer or items they explicitly do not want in the classroom.
Review the school’s parent handbook if one was provided at enrollment, as it usually contains the most detailed information about what’s needed and when. If you didn’t receive one, ask.
The forms and supply sections of this checklist repeat annually. Once you’ve built it out for the first year, it takes far less time to work through in subsequent years.
The main updates are typically immunization records, updated emergency contacts, and any new forms the school introduces.
A first day of preschool checklist covers two distinct jobs: getting the paperwork in order and getting the backpack packed. Working through each category separately – forms, supplies, labeling, and logistics – is more reliable than trying to hold all of it in your head at once.
If you’d prefer a ready-made version, the printable Kids and School Binder includes a formatted version of this page, organized and ready to print.
