How Many Spare Clothes to Send to Daycare

Updated November 2026 with Illinois licensing rules.

A good rule of thumb is 2 to 3 full changes of clothes for babies and toddlers, and 3 to 4 during potty training. Preschoolers who are fully trained usually need 1 to 2. A full change means a top, bottoms, underwear or a diaper cover if needed, and socks. Label everything and check the cubby every day.

Here is a simple guide by age and season.

How many changes by age

• Babies (0 to 12 months): 3 changes. Spit-up and diaper leaks happen often.
• Young toddlers (12 to 24 months): 2 to 3 changes. Meals, art and outdoor play get messy.
• Potty training: 3 to 4 changes, plus 4 or more pairs of underwear and extra socks.
• Preschoolers (3 to 5 years): 1 to 2 changes for spills, water play or the occasional accident.

On days with water play or messy art, consider one extra change.

Why Illinois centers send wet clothes home

Illinois licensing rules for centers (23 Ill. Adm. Code 2008.340) tell staff to check that a child's clothes are clean and dry at every diaper change, and to change them if they are not. Centers must keep soiled clothes in a separate covered, lined container, which is why wet or dirty clothes usually come home in a sealed bag instead of being rinsed out. For licensed day care homes, the rules say providers must ask parents for weather-appropriate clothing and a complete change of clothes.

In practice, this means your child will be changed quickly after an accident or spill, and the center counts on you for the spare clothes. Expect a bag of wet clothes at pickup on some days, and send a fresh set the next morning.

What to pack

• Tops and bottoms in easy pull-on styles
• Socks, which get wet more often than you think
• Underwear for trained or training children
• Bibs for babies, if your center uses them
• A wet bag or plastic bag for soiled clothes, if your center asks for one
• Spare shoes for toddlers who play outside a lot, if space allows

What to leave at home

• Clothes with lots of buttons, belts or tricky snaps
• Special outfits you do not want stained
• Overalls and onesies during potty training
• Jewelry, hair accessories that could be a choking hazard, and drawstrings

Labeling tips

• Use iron-on or stick-on clothing labels, or a laundry marker.
• Label shoes, hats, mittens and coats too.
• Put spare clothes in a labeled bag or bin, if the center allows.
• Use your child's first and last name.

Daycare cubbies can get crowded, and many toddlers wear similar sizes, so labels help things come home.

Seasonal checklist

Fall and spring

• Light jacket or fleece
• Rain boots and a rain jacket on wet days
• Long and short sleeves to layer

Winter

• Snow pants, boots, warm hat and waterproof mittens
• An extra pair of mittens and socks, since wet mittens are common after snow play
• Layers instead of one bulky outfit

See our full guide to dressing a toddler for daycare in winter.

Summer

• Lightweight clothes and a sun hat
• Sunscreen, with a signed permission form if your center requires it
• Swimsuit and water shoes on water play days

Keep it stocked

1. Check the cubby or bag at pickup.
2. Replace anything sent home dirty the next morning.
3. Size up as your child grows. Spare clothes that are too small do not help.
4. Swap seasonal items when the weather changes.

Frequently asked questions

How many outfits should I send to daycare?

Usually 2 to 3 spare outfits for babies and toddlers, 3 to 4 during potty training, and 1 to 2 for preschoolers.

Does daycare provide extra clothes?

Many centers keep a few spares for emergencies, but parents are expected to provide their child's own clothes.

Why did my child's wet clothes come home in a bag?

Illinois rules require centers to keep soiled clothes separate in covered, lined containers, so they are bagged and sent home for washing.

Should I send pajamas for nap time?

Usually not. Children nap in their daytime clothes. Ask your center.

What should I send for a potty training toddler?

Several pairs of underwear, 3 to 4 full changes, extra socks and a wet bag. See our guide to potty training at daycare.

At Children's Land

At Children's Land, children go outdoors daily when the weather permits, so we ask families to send clothing for the season, including gear for stroller walks and playground time. Find a location near you.

Related reading: Does Daycare Provide Formula, Diapers and Food?