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Address the parcel to the daycare, not the child, and add the child's full name and classroom on a second line so staff can route it. Call or message ahead, since many daycares hold parcels at the front desk and will not admit an unexpected courier. A LetterAgent Xpresspost label covers Canada-only parcels up to 5 kg.
Put the daycare's legal or commonly used name on the first line, then the street address, then a line like "For: Maya Chen, Room 3" so the front desk knows who it belongs to without opening it. Do not address the parcel to the child alone: carriers deliver to the building, and staff need an adult recipient name to sign for it. If you know a contact person, add "Attention: [name]" as well. For home-based daycares, confirm the mailing address separately from the pickup address, since the two sometimes differ, and a parcel sent to a home address that is not checked daily can sit outside.
Yes, always. Daycares run locked doors and strict visitor rules for good reason, and a courier who cannot get in may leave the parcel outside or take it back to the depot. A quick message with the tracking number, the expected delivery day, and what is inside lets staff watch for it and hold it at the desk. Ask where they want it left and whether they need a signature. If the parcel needs a signature and no one is at the desk, delivery fails, so a "leave at front desk" note on the order, where the carrier allows it, can save a second attempt. Timing matters too: avoid nap time and pickup rush if you can choose a delivery window.
| Item | Usually fine | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Spare clothes, diapers, wipes | Yes, labelled with the child's name | Allergy-free and scent-free rules |
| Books, puzzles, craft supplies | Yes, age-appropriate | Small parts and choking-hazard rules |
| Snacks and food | Only if the daycare allows outside food | Nut-free and allergy policies |
| Medication | Almost never by parcel | Requires forms and hand-to-hand delivery |
| Toys with batteries or magnets | Sometimes | Daycare safety rules and battery rules |
Food is the biggest trap. Many daycares are nut-free, and some ban all outside food because of allergies they cannot track across dozens of children. Medication is another: most centres require a signed form and a handoff to a named staff member, so mailing medicine in a parcel can breach their policy and leave a child without a needed dose. Small toys, balloons, and items with button batteries are often banned for safety reasons, and scented products can trigger asthma policies. When in doubt, ask the daycare before you ship. A parcel that staff must refuse or quarantine helps no one, and it may be returned at your expense.
Label every item inside with the child's full name, not just a first name: two children in one room often share a first name. Bag clothes and soft items against leaks, and keep liquids, creams, and wipes in a sealed bag apart from fabric. If you are sending supplies for the whole class, pack them separately from the child's personal items and mark the bag clearly, so staff do not have to sort through one mixed box at a busy desk. Keep the box small and light enough for one staff member to carry inside easily; a heavy carton left at the door is a trip hazard in a hallway full of small children.
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