Nursery shoes - what are they and what else should my child wear to daycare?

Nursery or daycare as it is often called in Australia is where people send their babies and toddlers to be looked after by professional carers when they are either working or have other activities that they need to carry out. However, for many first time parents, this can be a nerve-wracking experience. Not only is it stressful leaving your child there for the whole day, but then also comes the question of what should they wear? 

But what is daycare??

Daycare is a form of childcare where children are taken care of by trained professionals or caregivers in a group setting outside of the home. Daycare services may be provided in a variety of settings, including licensed childcare centers, family daycare homes, preschools, and nursery schools.

The purpose of daycare is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children while their parents or guardians are working, attending school, or unable to care for them at home. Daycare services may be provided on a part-time or full-time basis, depending on the needs of the family.

In daycare, children participate in various activities that promote their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. These activities may include playing with toys and games, arts and crafts, singing songs, reading books, and participating in outdoor activities.

Daycare providers are trained professionals who are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of the children in their care. They may have experience and qualifications in early childhood education, child development, and first aid.

Overall, daycare provides an important service for families, allowing parents to work or pursue other activities while their children are cared for in a safe and stimulating environment.

We thought that we would publish a simple guide on what to wear and bring:

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Baby and Toddler Clothing

In general, children are encouraced to wear comfortable clothes and shoes allow them a great degree of movement and are suitable for the weather during that time of year. A simple tracksuit or jumper with a t-shirt underneath is best on most days as we can layer clothes as needed to suit the weather at the time. However that doesn’t mean that you can’t dress them up in pretty clothes.  It is important to remember that they will engage in  as much outdoor and exploratory play as possible, so clothes will often get dirty (but then again when do the not? Packing along a spare set of clothing along is a really good idea as there is a really good chance that they will get their clothes and shoes too mucky through the day! Also, make sure that they have clothes that they know how to quickly remove for potty time so no intricate and complicated knots to confused little baby and toddler fingers! Another thing to consider is to dress them in layers so that they can be removed or added on to make them more comfortable.

Babies should wear comfortable and practical clothing to daycare. Here are some tips on what to consider when choosing clothing for your baby to wear to daycare:

1. Comfort: Choose clothes that are soft, breathable, and comfortable for your baby. Avoid clothing with scratchy tags or seams that can irritate your baby's skin.

2. Easy to put on and take off: Choose clothing that is easy to put on and take off, especially if your baby is still in diapers. Onesies, leggings, and pants with elastic waistbands are good choices.

3. Weather-appropriate: Dress your baby in clothing that is appropriate for the weather. Layers are a good idea, so you can easily add or remove clothing as needed.

4. Easy to clean: Choose clothing that is easy to clean, as babies can be messy. Avoid clothes with delicate fabrics or complicated washing instructions.

5. Labeling: Make sure to label all of your baby's clothing with their name, to avoid mix-ups or lost items.

It's also a good idea to check with your daycare provider about any specific dress code requirements they may have, such as a uniform or specific colors. By keeping these tips in mind, you can help ensure that your baby is comfortable, safe, and ready for a day of fun and learning at daycare.

Nursery Shoes for Babies and Toddlers

What on earth are nursery shoes? We did a bit of reading and they are generally shoes which are suitable for little children such as toddlers and babies. People have many different names for them including baby moccs, loafers, indoor shoes and nursery shoes. They generally suit children between the ages of 6 months to 2 and a half years old (so it includes 1 and 2 year olds). Most of them have soft soles and are fully enclosed, soft and comfortable. They are typically lightweight and flexible, which allows the child to flex and develop their feet properly. They also have a non-slip sole to prevent slips and falls. They are usually made of breathable materials, have a snug fit and easy to put on and off. The ideal shoes for children who are taking their first steps (first walkers). There are three things that we recommend when looking at Nursery shoes, shape, texture and size.

 

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Baby Shoe Size Shape and Fit

It is important that you choose shoes that are made for babies and toddlers who are at that critical nursery age. Children’s feet are different from adults feet in their proportions. This means that they are no just miniature adult feet. Their overall proportions should be wider  than your typical adults’s shoe to fit their chubby little feet.

Nursery shoe Materials and Texture

It is no secret, we love natural materials and try as best we can to make as much of our shoes from genuine natural leather. Why? Because it breathes well, looks beautiful and is ultimately biodegradable so that we don’t add any more to the world’s troubles. They also need to be soft as baby’s feet are quite delicate. It is important to look at the inside of the shoes to make sure that they are sufficiently lined and soft to suit babies and toddlers. Sometimes though, even the softest leathers (or when it is very cold) won’t do. That’s when we recommend having some nice cotton socks to help protect their little feet as they learn their first steps. (Check our range of beautiful Condor socks made in Spain)

When choosing shoes for your toddler to wear to daycare, it's important to consider the following factors:

1. Durability: Toddlers can be hard on shoes, so it's important to choose shoes that are well-constructed and durable to withstand the wear and tear of daily use.

2. Comfort: Look for shoes that have a snug fit and good support, but not too tight. The shoes should be comfortable for your toddler to wear all day.

3. Safety: Look for shoes with good traction and grip on the soles to prevent slips and falls on rough or uneven surfaces.

4. Easy to put on and off: Consider shoes that have Velcro closures or snaps, which are easier to put on and take off.

5. Easy to clean: Look for shoes that are easy to clean, as they will likely get dirty and messy during the day.

Toddler Shoe Style

At one point, most of the soft soled shoes that you could find were fairly generic looking ones. These days there are a wide range of them starting with easy to find ones in K-Mart and BigW all the way to designer, hand made ones such as the ones that we sell in our online store (Kit & Kate Baby, Toddler and Nursery Shoes). It is important though to remember that they are still babies. This means no hard soles and no no no heels! Look for designers who care about your child’s foot as much as they do about making snazzy designs and selling shoes. One of the things to remember is that very young children often don’t complain until their feet are really really sore and full of blisters. Do check their feet regularly. It is also a good idea to resist the temptation to go up a few sizes to make them last longer as it just tends to result in more trips and falls.

During the summer, parents often change to a sandal style shoe which tend to be a bit cooler. Alternatively, a t-bar style shoe such as our Paris Baby T-barsis a good option as they are like wearing a pair of ballet flats, and don’t we all just love wearing them in the summer? Alternatively, loafer style shoes such as our Loafer and Lacey shoes are a good alternative as they breathe well and sometimes help keep those little toes a little cleaner!

Coolest styles for baby girl and baby boy shoes

Some cool baby shoe styles which might be of interest to parents who want their children to look the best:

• Baby T-bars 
• Baby Boots
• Baby Moccasins or Loafers
• Sandals with ankle straps
• Oxfords with laces
• Slip-on pre-walking sneakers (sorta like Nike ones)
• Baby sneakers secured with laces, Velcro or snaps

Popular baby boy shoe styles include:

• Slip-on pre-walking shoes (high-tops, sneakers)
• Boots (just like daddy's work boots - but designed for babies)
• Baby Moccasins or Loafers
• Oxfords with laces
• Baby sneakers secured with laces, Velcro or snaps

Well that’s all that we have for now about what to wear to the nursery. Please do follow us on Instagram and comment below if there are any other things that you would like to see!

xx

Don't forget that you can  SAVE 10% off your first pair of shoes or sandals TODAY! Code: WELCOME20