Opening a new toddler room, or replacing worn-out gear? Here’s what a working Massachusetts childcare program actually bought, and what held up. Prices and needs vary, so treat this as a starting checklist, not a shopping cart.
By our editors · Picks checked October 9, 2026. Product details and availability change, so check the listing before you buy.
Disclosure: KidBrief may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. As an Amazon Associate, KidBrief earns from qualifying purchases. This list comes from the purchase records of Treehouse Learning Center, the Massachusetts childcare network that publishes KidBrief. No brand paid to be here. How we make money.
Before you buy, check your plans against your licensing requirements and our guide to Massachusetts ratio and group-size rules, which drive how many of everything you need.
Nap time
Purchased by Treehouse
Stackable daycare cots
The single most reordered furniture item in our records, ordered eight times. They stack out of the way and wipe clean. Sprogs Heavy Duty Stackable Daycare Cots on Amazon (paid link).
Purchased by Treehouse
Fitted cot sheets
Elastic corner loops keep sheets on through a wiggly nap. Buy extras for laundry days. Daycare cot sheets, 10-pack, on Amazon (paid link).
Storage that kids can use
Purchased by Treehouse
Coat lockers
One cubby per child for coats, bags and a change of clothes builds independence at arrival and pickup. ECR4Kids 5-Section Coat Locker on Amazon (paid link).
Purchased by Treehouse
A mobile storage cabinet with bins
Ordered twice. Low, rolling storage puts materials at kid height and moves when the room changes. ECR4Kids 5-Compartment Mobile Storage Cabinet on Amazon (paid link).
Purchased by Treehouse
A front-facing book display
Toddlers pick books by their covers. Face them out. ECR4Kids Single-Sided Book Display on Amazon (paid link).
Purchased by Treehouse
Book and toy bins
Ordered three times. Color-coded bins make cleanup a sorting game. 24-pack classroom book bins on Amazon (paid link).
Learning centers
Purchased by Treehouse
A sensory table
Ordered twice. Fill it with sand, water, rice or snow. It is the busiest spot in most toddler rooms. Children’s Factory 24-inch Sensory Table on Amazon (paid link).
Purchased by Treehouse
A kid-size table and chairs
Ordered by our centers more than once, for meals, art and table toys. Humble Crew Kids Wood Table and 4 Chairs on Amazon (paid link).
Purchased by Treehouse
A pretend-play kitchen
Dramatic play builds language and social skills. Our rooms use matching sink, stove and fridge pieces. ECR4Kids Play Kitchen Sink on Amazon · ECR4Kids Play Kitchen Refrigerator on Amazon (paid link).
Diapering and safety
Purchased by Treehouse
A daycare changing table
Built-in shelves keep supplies within reach, so a hand stays on the child. Foundations SafetyCraft Daycare Changing Table on Amazon (paid link).
Purchased by Treehouse
A walking rope for outings
Reordered by our teachers. Each child holds a handle, so walks stay together. Excellerations Shapes Walking Rope on Amazon (paid link).
Save on supplies
- Ask about tax exemption and business pricing if your program qualifies.
- Track what you reorder. If you’re buying the same item every month, buy it in bulk.
- Cut the paperwork that comes with all of this: what Massachusetts licensing actually requires.
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