The Ultimate Back to School Checklist for Parents

The final weeks of summer tend to disappear quickly. One day, the kids are sleeping late and looking for something to do. Then, before you realize it, parents are searching for school supplies, checking calendars, and trying to move bedtime back to a reasonable hour.

Starting early can make all the difference in preparing you and your kid for their upcoming preschool program. This back to school checklist for parents helps you get ready for the school year so your toddler and family can adjust to new routines smoothly without getting overwhelmed.

Phase 1: Complete Health Forms and Immunization Records

Before school begins, confirm that your child’s health records and immunizations are current and double check what documentation your school requires.

Schedule a Pediatric Appointment 

Ask your child’s pediatrician to review the full immunization record and identify any vaccines that are due, as well as ensuring you have all current health assessments or forms related to:

• Allergies or asthma
• Prescription or emergency medications
• Dietary restrictions
• Feeding or toileting needs
• Hearing, vision, speech, or developmental concerns

Give the preschool copies of any medication authorizations, allergy plans, or other care instructions before the first day of school. 

Confirm North Carolina’s Required Vaccines

North Carolina’s child care vaccine requirements change as children reach specific ages. For toddlers and preschoolers, important checkpoints include:

• By 16 months: One required dose of the MMR vaccine
• By 19 months: One required dose of the varicella, or chickenpox, vaccine
• At age 4 and older: Additional age-based vaccine requirements

Your child’s preschool will ask for a Certificate of Immunization completed by a doctor or health care provider. Ask the pediatrician to review the record rather than relying on paperwork from the previous year.

Check Your Child’s MMR Status

The North Carolina Division of Public Health warns that measles is spreading across the United States and that children who have not received the MMR vaccine are most at risk. Measles is highly contagious and can be dangerous for babies and young children. One MMR dose is about 93% effective at preventing measles, while two doses are about 97% effective.

Before the 2026 school year begins:

• Confirm whether your child received the required MMR dose
• Ask the pediatrician about a catch-up schedule if your child is behind
• Provide the preschool with an updated Certificate of Immunization

Preschools and child care programs may requite that children with medical or religious exemptions stay out of preschool during an outbreak. After a measles exposure, a child without proof of immunity needs to remain home and avoid others for 21 days after the last exposure.

Phase 2: Update Preschool Records and Emergency Contacts

North Carolina licensed child care centers are required to have a completed enrollment application and emergency medical information for each child. It’s important that before your toddler’s first day of preschool, you review all necessary contact, health, and pickup information and confirm it’s on file with the school or center. 

Review Your Child’s Enrollment Information

• Parent and guardian phone numbers
• Home and work addresses
• Emergency contact information
• Your child’s pediatrician or preferred health care provider
• Allergies, chronic conditions, and medications
• Dietary or other health needs
• Fears, behaviors, or concerns teachers should know about
• Adults authorized to pick up your child

Set Up Automated School Notifications

Primary Beginnings uses Procare Connect to send parents daily reports, photos, real-time alerts, and preschool announcements. Parents can receive notifications to stay informed through the app, email, or text message.

Depending on the system your child’s preschool uses, make sure you: 

• Download the app and confirm that you can log in
• Turn on notifications
• Confirm your phone number and email address are correct
• Save the center’s phone number in your contacts
• Sign up for text alerts about emergency closings and inclement weather

Make an Emergency Pickup Plan

Our Raleigh preschool contacts parents when a child becomes ill and needs to leave the center. It’s important for parents to provide an alternate pickup plan as the school year approaches in case you cannot be reached or cannot arrive promptly. Make sure the person is listed as an authorized pickup and knows the location of the school your child attends. 

Phase 3: Adjust Sleep and Morning Routines

Practice your morning preschool routine one week before school starts. This makes the new wake-up time, morning steps, and drive feel familiar and reduce surprises for your toddler. 

Match Your Child’s Sleep Schedule to Preschool

When it comes to a back to school checklist for parents, perhaps the most challenging can be to adjust your child's sleep schedule, especially if they've been enjoying later nights and mornings. When it comes to naps, ask the preschool when your child’s classroom will eat lunch and rest. Then begin adjusting sleep and meal times at home to better match that schedule.

If your child has been staying up or sleeping later during the summer:

• Move bedtime and wake-up time earlier in small increments
• Wake your child at the expected preschool time
• Serve breakfast at about the same time each morning
• Keep naps close to the classroom’s scheduled rest period
• Use a consistent bedtime routine, such as a bath, two books, and lights out

Make these changes gradually rather than waiting until the night before preschool begins so your toddler has time to adjust. 

Practice Getting Ready and Leaving Home Together 

Preschoolers almost always need more time than expected to get dressed, eat, use the bathroom, and get into the car. Practice the full preschool morning routine during the week before school starts. 

Keep the process simple and repeat it in the same order each time: 

1. Get dressed
2. Eat breakfast
3. Brush teeth and use the bathroom
4. Put on shoes
5. Pick up the preschool bag
6. Leave for the center

Let your child choose between two outfits the night before. This gives them some control without creating a long decision in the morning.

Phase 4: Confirm What Your Preschool Requires Before Back-to-School Shopping

Back to school shopping is perhaps the most fun thing about going back to the classroom! But try not to start before you have a list of what your child will need. You should get sent a list, but if you don't have one, just reach out to your school. Primary Beginnings will ensure you have a list several weeks before school starts in August.

Our lists tend to include:

• A small backpack
• Two complete changes of clothes
• Extra underwear and socks
• Diapers or pull-ups for children who need them (age dependent)
• A labeled water bottle, when requested
• A blanket or approved comfort item for rest time
• Weather-appropriate clothes for outdoor play
• Paper, pencils, notebooks, and binders

Primary Beginnings requires parents to provide diapers or pull-ups for children in its infant program and early toddler program. We provides meals and snacks, so parents don't need to pack a lunch box unless the center has approved another arrangement for a dietary or medical reason. 

Phase 5: Prepare Emotionally and Reconnect Socially

A child can have every supply on their back-to-school list and still feel unprepared. The emotional side of back to school season matters, especially when a child is entering an unfamiliar building, meeting a new teacher, or returning after a difficult previous year.

Talk Through First-Day Nerves

To help make sure your child experience has a smooth transition, ask them what they are looking forward to and what concerns them about starting the school year. Try not to dismiss worries with a quick “You’ll be fine.” It’s important to listen first, cause any concern is a valid concern. 

Younger kids may be feeling nervous about finding the bathroom, remembering where to put their backpack, or saying goodbye at drop-off. Older children may worry about lunch, meeting a new teacher, or whether they'll make friends. 

Talk through the specific concern. You might say:

• “Let’s find out where your classroom is.”
• “We can practice what you’ll say when you meet your teacher.”
• “It’s normal to feel excited and nervous at the same time.”
• "Changing routines is hard for everyone. Let's pick a special comfort item you can keep in your backpack for the upcoming year."

Get Familiar With the Teacher and Classroom

Seeing your child’s classroom, walking through the building, and meeting the new teacher can make the first day of preschool feel less unfamiliar for toddlers. 

Before the first meeting, help your child think of one or two questions to ask their teacher. Some children might ask where to hang their belongings or where the bathroom is, while older kids may want to know where they should sit during different activities. 

Join Primary Beginnings for a 5-Star School Year

A successful transition into a new school year takes planning, patience, and support. Primary Beginnings supports local families at our three 5-star Raleigh preschool locations. Our teachers create welcoming, age-appropriate environments where children can learn and build connections. 

Contact us today to learn more or schedule a tour by calling our Contact our Spring Forest Road location at 919-790-6888, Falls of Neuse Road location at 919-615-0752, or North Hills Drive location at 919-785-0303. You can also fill out our contact form below to get started.