You will need chalk or dry erase markers, depending on the board provided in your room. A wide selection of books is essential. A felt board can be used for story time, calendars, and various lesson plans. Laminate the name of each student and apply Velcro to the back. You can then place these on the felt board to be used for name recognition, taking turns, dividing into groups and signaling if the child has gone to or returned from the bathroom. If you have a jar filled with clean Popsicle sticks, you can write each child's name on a stick and when you need to take turns, you can reach into the jar and randomly choose a stick. This cuts down on fighting for a turn.
You will need several different art supplies for your classroom. Watercolor paints, paintbrushes, water cups (you can use old jars), plain and colored paper, tape, craft sticks, Chenille sticks, colored chalk, and colored sand are often found in the kindergarten setting. Don't forget old T-shirts to be used for painting shirts. If you spray shaving cream on a table and allow the kids to play with it with their hands, not only does it provide a sensory activity, it also helps to gently clean the table which you will notice once you wipe it off.
You will need a wide array of stimulating play items in the classroom. Separate and store these items in plastic storage bins. If chosen and planned correctly, you can have items the kids love to play with as well as items readily available to fit into a lesson plan. Puzzles, magnetic letters, blocks, dominoes, board games, alphabet floor blocks, dress-up clothes, dolls, plastic animals, puppets, Play Doh, Legos, and toy cars are just some of the choices you have available. It is a good idea to rotate the items daily or weekly so the children are not over-stimulated and the toys don't lose their appeal.
Of course you will need desks or tables, chairs, bookshelves and a filing system. You can also have lamps, plants, and an aquarium. It all depends on the budget you have and the space available.
Although the school you teach at will probably have their own parent-supplied item lists, there are some typical items you can ask the parents to send with their children. A pack of pencils, a 24-count box of crayons, a pair of scissors, a bottle of glue or glue sticks, and a set of markers and erasers are typically found on parent lists. Have the parents also send a backpack with their child everyday. If you have room in the classroom, have the children bring an empty shoebox with a set of clean clothes and picture of the family. This will come into play if there is an accident or the child is having a hard day and can be comforted with the photo.
Having a homework folder is quite helpful. Each child should bring a folder with two pockets. Write the child's name on the front of it. This will be sent home at the end of the day and brought back the following day. One pocket is for "Stay at home" items and the other is for "Homework" to be brought back the next day. This way the parent knows to look in the folder every day for announcements and homework.