Why Labeling for Daycare Matters
Labeling isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must. When your little one heads to daycare, every single item needs a name on it. Not convinced a tiny label makes a big difference? Here’s why it does:
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Keeps pacifiers, bottles, and utensils out of the wrong mouths
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Helps daycare staff return lost items quickly
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Prevents mix-ups with clothes, shoes, and blankets
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Makes drop-off and pick-up smoother and more organized
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Makes a super practical gift for new parents!
Most licensed childcare centers mandate labeled items for health and safety. It keeps kids’ stuff separate, reduces the spread of germs, and helps caregivers stay organized. If you have to label everything (and you do), you might as well make it cute. Durable, waterproof, and daycare-approved—Mabel’s Labels are practical and adorable!
Wait—Labeling is Required?
Yep. Most child care centers mandate that every single item be labeled with your child’s name. If your daycare doesn’t ask you to label anything, it’s worth asking why. It could be a sign they’re not following basic organizational or hygiene best practices. Name labels aren’t just a nice-to-have—they’re how daycares keep everyone’s stuff separate, safe, and sanitary.
What’s in the Daycare Label Pack?
And if you have to label everything, you might as well make them cute! Mabel’s Labels are durable, waterproof, and designed to stick around—plus, they come in fun designs your kid will actually recognize.
Think of this label pack as your daycare survival kit. It includes:
- 15 Large Rectangle Labels – Perfect for wipes, containers, bottles, snack boxes.
- 16 Small Rectangle Labels – Great for pacifiers, utensils, or even sunscreen tubes.
- 21 Tag Mates™ Stick-On Clothing Labels – Stick these on the care tags of shirts, sweaters, or spare outfits.
- 2 Shoe Labels (1 pair) – No more shoe mix-ups!
- 2 Personalized Plastic Bag Tags – For diaper bags, backpacks, and nap mats.
Everything is waterproof, dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, and laundry-safe.
How to Label For Daycare
Clothing? Use the Tag Mates™
These tiny labels stick right onto the care tag of clothing. No ironing, no sewing, and no peeling off in the wash. Label sweaters, spare outfits, hats, mittens—everything.
Pro tip: Keep a stash of spare outfits in a labeled Ziploc bag, and label that bag too so your provider doesn’t need to open each bag to see who it belongs to.
They’ll appreciate anything to help make their life easier!
Diapers, Creams, Sunscreen, and More:
A large rectangle label on the lid of most creams is the easiest way to ensure that your baby’s diaper cream isn’t getting mixed up with another baby. Or that the sunscreen they’re getting applied is for them. Labeling the diaper sleeve, is a great way for daycare providers to easily spot the diapers for your baby.
These may seem like small mix-ups, but if someone else’s items accidentally get swapped, it can lead to cross-contamination. allergic reactions, irritated skin, and an uncomfortable baby. Therefore, labeling these items is a non-negotiable.
Backpacks and Diaper Bags?
Attach a personalized bag tag. The tag is easy to spot at a glance, and this will avoid look-a-like bags being picked up by the wrong family at the end of the day. There is nothing worse than getting home and opening a bag that contains another kids soiled clothing 😝
Sippy Cups and Snack Containers? Go Big
Use the large rectangle labels here—they’re built to survive the dishwasher and microwave. You can also stick one on your snack baggies.
Pacifiers, small tubes and lids, Tiny but Crucial
That’s where the small rectangle labels shine. They’re perfect for all the “miscellaneous but important” items that easily get overlooked.
Daycare Name Label Add-Ons & Labeling Tips for Parents:
If you want to go all-in on daycare prep, here are a few extras worth tossing in your cart:
Shoes? Add a Fun Independence Booster
Toddlers love doing things “all by myself,” and the Preschool Shoe Labels (sold separately) are a great add-on. Not only are they adorable and durable, but they’re split designs, so your child can match up the pictures and learn left from right.
Write-on Baby Bottles Labels
If you’re sending breastmilk or formula, add on the Baby Bottle Labels. They’re write-on, wipe-off, and made for baby bottles. You can update the date or contents with a dry-erase marker—no more tape and scribbled Sharpie notes that rub off by noon.
The Daycare Label Pack isn’t just a cute organizational tool—it’s a must-have for peace of mind. You’ll save money by not constantly replacing lost items. You’ll help your daycare stay clean and organized. And best of all, you’ll empower your little one to start recognizing their own belongings.
Whether you’re sending a baby with bottles and blankets or a toddler with lunchboxes and indoor shoes, a good quality label game is a game-changer!
