Preschool Essentials for Little Learners
How has the time flown so fast? Surely it was only last week their first tooth came through and they said their first words. And now, here we are getting them ready for preschool! It's time to gently prepare them for the wonderful world of learning and set them off on exciting new adventures.
To make sure they're kitted out with everything they could possibly need for this special milestone, we've gathered together our favourite preschool essentials, from waterproofs and wellies for Forest School excursions to comfy outfit sets for indoor play, and not forgetting their first backpack to hang on their peg.
15 Jul 2026
Time for Preschool
Good shoes, a backpack and a cosy coat are just some of the non-negotiables for early learning.
Get Them Prepared
If there's one item that always gets little ones smiling, it's their very own backpack. We have so many cute preschool bags featuring every motif they could imagine — dinosaurs, unicorns, fairies, flowers, you name it — so there's sure to be one that gets them excited about packing up their crayons.
Once you've got their equipment housed in style, it's time to pick out a coat that will keep them warm and dry at playtime and on the school run. Powell Craft and Hatley have lots of brightly coloured designs for preschoolers, including waterproof styles. Just add a lunch box, a pair of sturdy shoes and a kiss for luck and they’ll be on their way!
In the Classroom
Comfy casuals help children feel comfortable, confident and ready for a day of learning.
All the Essentials
A day at preschool is full of adventures that require a little bit of forward planning when it comes to outfits. We have lots of soft jersey pieces and outfit sets that were designed with dancing, climbing, running and sitting comfortably in mind. And for the inevitable outfit change, our own Childrensalon Essentials collection offers a variety of multipack pieces made in soft organic cotton to pop in their backpack.
Preschool is also the perfect place for your tot to get creative. And creative play also comes with lots of mess. For budding artists, an apron bib with long sleeves is a great idea to keep clothes clean-ish. A few paint splodges will be worth it though when they bring home their latest masterpiece for you to display proudly on the fridge.
Back to Nature
Keep them warm and dry for Forest School and other outdoor adventures with the right kit.
Ready for the Elements
Getting out into nature is such a wonderful way to teach little ones about the world around them, and in preparation for their first fun-packed day of preschool, you’ll likely receive a handy checklist of practical items to stock up on.
We've got all the gear they could possibly need for outdoorsy adventures, from waterproof all-in-ones, like this matching jacket-and-salopettes set from CeLaVi, to cosy base layers and a spare pair of socks, so they can enjoy bird spotting, nature trails, making mud pies and more.
