Back to School / 21 August 2026

Nursery Essentials: Your Pre-School Checklist for Toddlers

From nursery must-haves and practical clothing to mealtime essentials and everyday accessories, our guide to the best pre-school and day-care essentials covers everything your toddler needs for a confident start to nursery.

By Bonita Turner

Junior Magazine Back to School Nursery Essentials: Your Pre-School Checklist for Toddlers
Junior Magazine Colourblock Waterproof Fleece Lined Anorak, from £26, NEXT

Colourblock Waterproof Fleece Lined Anorak, from £26, NEXT

Junior Magazine Ramble Rainbow Backpack, £30, Frugi

Ramble Rainbow Backpack, £30, Frugi

Junior Magazine Rainbow Cardigan, £43, The Bonnie Mob

Rainbow Cardigan, £43, The Bonnie Mob

Junior Magazine Wipeable Ladybug Apron, £14.95, REX London

Wipeable Ladybug Apron, £14.95, REX London

Junior Magazine Mini Micro Deluxe LED in Neon, £89.95, Micro Scooter

Mini Micro Deluxe LED in Neon, £89.95, Micro Scooter

Junior Magazine Viners Roarsome Flip Straw Water Bottle, £9.99, Potters Cookshop

Viners Roarsome Flip Straw Water Bottle, £9.99, Potters Cookshop

Junior Magazine Reusable Potty Training Pants, £18.99 for 3, BambinoMio

Reusable Potty Training Pants, £18.99 for 3, BambinoMio

Junior Magazine Packaway Rain Suit in Khaki Stripe, £35, KIDLY by MORI 

Packaway Rain Suit in Khaki Stripe, £35, KIDLY by MORI 

Junior Magazine Mutlicolour Backpack, £25.99, Zara Kids

Mutlicolour Backpack, £25.99, Zara Kids

Junior Magazine Juno Sunglasses, £43, Petit Peepers

Juno Sunglasses, £43, Petit Peepers

Junior Magazine Bruno Mittens, £29, Binibamba

Bruno Mittens, £29, Binibamba

Junior Magazine Munchkin Kids’ Bento Box Lunch Box, £22.99, John Lewis

Munchkin Kids’ Bento Box Lunch Box, £22.99, John Lewis

Junior Magazine Ruby Red Colour-Changing Kids Wellies, £28, Grass & Air

Ruby Red Colour-Changing Kids Wellies, £28, Grass & Air

Junior Magazine Trixie Mr. Lion Drawstring Gym Bag, £20, Smallable

Trixie Mr. Lion Drawstring Gym Bag, £20, Smallable

Junior Magazine Bosty Veg Brushed Clog, £27, Boatilus 

Bosty Veg Brushed Clog, £27, Boatilus 

Junior Magazine Sticker Name Tags, £15.95 for 56, My Name Tags

Sticker Name Tags, £15.95 for 56, My Name Tags

Junior Magazine Hello Hossy Lunch-Box Isotherme Rayée, £27, Smallable

Hello Hossy Lunch-Box Isotherme Rayée, £27, Smallable

Junior Magazine 7-Pack Pointelle Pants, from £35, Mini Boden

7-Pack Pointelle Pants, from £35, Mini Boden

Junior Magazine Trapper Hat, £35, Roarsome

Trapper Hat, £35, Roarsome

Junior Magazine Nursery Bags, £35, The Little Luggage Co.

Nursery Bags, £35, The Little Luggage Co.

Junior Magazine Melissa & Doug Wooden My Daily Day & Night Routines Chart, from £14, Amazon

Melissa & Doug Wooden My Daily Day & Night Routines Chart, from £14, Amazon

Junior Magazine Pink / Navy Blue Denim Dungarees, from £28, NEXT

Pink / Navy Blue Denim Dungarees, from £28, NEXT

Junior Magazine Tamar Raglan Top, £22, Frugi

Tamar Raglan Top, £22, Frugi

Junior Magazine Girls Cherry Hair Accessories Box Set, £8, Accessorize

Girls Cherry Hair Accessories Box Set, £8, Accessorize

Junior Magazine Cotton T-shirts Pack, £17.50 for 5, M&S

Cotton T-shirts Pack, £17.50 for 5, M&S

Junior Magazine Liewood Lizzie silicone smoothie flask, £31 for set of 2, Smallable

Liewood Lizzie silicone smoothie flask, £31 for set of 2, Smallable

Junior Magazine UV Sun Protection Swim Hat, from £14, JoJoMamamBebe

UV Sun Protection Swim Hat, from £14, JoJoMamamBebe

Junior Magazine Champ Step Up Trainer, £52, Bobux

Champ Step Up Trainer, £52, Bobux

Junior Magazine Everyday Essentials Cotton Dress, £5, M&S

Everyday Essentials Cotton Dress, £5, M&S

Junior Magazine Koala Tippy Up Sippy Cup with Weighted Straw, £9.99, TUM TUM

Koala Tippy Up Sippy Cup with Weighted Straw, £9.99, TUM TUM

Junior Magazine Spike the Dinosaur Helmet, £45, Roarsome

Spike the Dinosaur Helmet, £45, Roarsome

Junior Magazine Toddler Talk: Let’s Go!, £8, JoJoMamanBebe

Toddler Talk: Let’s Go!, £8, JoJoMamanBebe

Junior Magazine Puddlestomper Welly Socks, £16, Muddy Puddles

Puddlestomper Welly Socks, £16, Muddy Puddles

Junior Magazine Junior Magazine
Junior Magazine Navy blue 2-piece sweatshirt and leggings set, £17.99  H&M 

Navy blue 2-piece sweatshirt and leggings set, £17.99  H&M 

Junior Magazine Wet Bag Turtle Tide, £5, Splash About

Wet Bag Turtle Tide, £5, Splash About

Junior Magazine Mustard Yellow Cord Dungarees in Highland Cow & Kingfisher, £35.50, Ducky Zebra

Mustard Yellow Cord Dungarees in Highland Cow & Kingfisher, £35.50, Ducky Zebra

Junior Magazine Waterproof Packaway Jacket, £30, Kidly by Mori

Waterproof Packaway Jacket, £30, Kidly by Mori

Junior Magazine Enamel Week Day Hair Slides, £16 for 7, Mer Meri

Enamel Week Day Hair Slides, £16 for 7, Mer Meri

Junior Magazine Multi Crew Neck Joggers Set, from £30 for 4 pieces, NEXT

Multi Crew Neck Joggers Set, from £30 for 4 pieces, NEXT

Junior Magazine Hampton Canvas Plum Plimsolls, from £32, Trotters

Hampton Canvas Plum Plimsolls, from £32, Trotters

Junior Magazine Pre-School Nap Time Bedding, £45.99, Vertbaudet

Pre-School Nap Time Bedding, £45.99, Vertbaudet

Junior Magazine Maped Color’ Peps My First Wax Crayon, from £4, Amazon

Maped Color’ Peps My First Wax Crayon, from £4, Amazon

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