You will need cribs for infants to sleep in during nap time as well as a changing table or two. You also will need a few high chairs to use during feeding time. Rocking chairs come in handy for reading, snuggling or rocking fussy babies.
Older toddlers need sleeping mats for taking naps, as well as appropriate sized tables and chairs for eating. If you only have adult tables and chairs, you will need booster seats for the children.
Toys should be age appropriate. Babies need visually stimulating items such as activity mats and soft frame mirrors. Soft rugs or mats are good for babies to lay or sit on while they look around. Music boxes are useful and you should have soft fabric or board books to read to babies.
Toddlers love books, as well, although they can hold and look at books with paper pages. Simple story lines or rhyming books are fun for these ages. Simple toys that are fun as well as educational are good for this age. Building blocks, kitchen centers and craft areas are great for this age.
Emergency first aid kits are a must. If you have several different rooms in your center, consider putting one in each room. Make sure they have the necessary supplies. Disinfectant wipes and sanitizing soaps also are important and helpful in preventing germs. If you are feeding the children, you should have a small kitchen area with a refrigerator and sink. All centers should also have enough sheets and blankets to adequately handle the number of children. Along with the linens, consider putting a laundry center in the facility. This will help you keep up with the laundry throughout the day, especially if the children get their clothes dirty.