(The following prices are approximate and based upon prices at local department or discount stores in Wisconsin.)

Item	Approximate Price Range
Operational Items	x
Inquiry packet	$10.00
Medical log book (bound and stitched notebook such as a Mead Composition Book)	$2.00 - $15.00
Health exam and TB test for provider (cost varies depending upon insurance coverage of provider – sometimes county health departments offer low cost TB tests)	$30.00 - $75.00
File folders/file cabinet or box and copies (child/provider records and receipts)	$10.00 - $75.00
Subtotal	$47.00 - $183.00
Home Safety Items	x
Safety latches; outlet covers; locks	$15.00 - $30.00
Smoke detectors (4) (one for each level of the center and for sleeping areas)	$30.00 - $50.00
2A-10BC (or larger) fire extinguisher	$25.00 - $35.00
Sleeping bags or mats (6) (or have parents supply)	$120.00 - $180.00*
Cribs or play pens (2)	$120.00 - $200.00*
Outdoor fence (minimum of 600 sq ft of space)	$200.00 - $500.00**
Paper towels, soap, toilet paper, tissues, etc.	$10.00 - $40.00***
Vehicle safety inspection (free for child care providers at some Farm & Fleet stores)	$40.00 - $80.00
Vaccinations for dog or cat	$20.00 - $60.00
Water test for private well	$15.00 - $30.00
Step stool	$10.00 - $20.00
Subtotal	$605.00 - $1,225.00
Infant/Toddler Items	x
Safety gates (2)	$30.00 - $60.00*
High chair	$30.00 - $60.00*
Sipper cups, utensils, dishes, etc.	$10.00 - $20.00
Plastic-lined covered container $ (for diapers)	10.00 - $25.00*
Vinyl changing mat	$5.00 - $15.00*
Bleach	$3.00 - $5.00
Subtotal	$88.00 - $185.00

Age Appropriate Indoor and Outdoor Play Equipment*
Preschool Toys
(assorted blocks, props for block play such as people or vehicles, dolls, magnets, playdough, glue, scissors, watercolor and tempera paints, paper, books, puzzles, unit and Lego blocks, musical instruments, dress-up clothes and other housekeeping items, etc.)
Infant/Toddler Toys	$100.00 - $300.00
(rattles, teethers, soft toys and dolls, cloth and hard board books, foam blocks, large trucks, pop beads, peg boards, push/pull toys, large crayons, paint brushes, and markers, paper, etc.)
School-Age Toys	$100.00 - $300.00
(board games; dominoes; cards, calculators, woodworking tools, books, camera, scales, fabric, clay, tape measures, maps, etc.)
Outdoor Toys	$50.00 - $200.00
(sandbox and sand, sand toys, hula hoops, riding toys, large balls, sports balls, jump ropes, etc.)
Storage crates/cubbies for children’s belongings (8)	$25.00 - $100.00
Toy Shelves (3)	$50.00 - $100.00 ****
Child-sized table and chairs	$50.00 - $100.00*
Subtotal	$475.00 - $1,400.00

* Consider purchasing these items second-hand from garage sales or consignment shops
(CAUTION: To find out about safety recalls: United States Consumer Product Safety Commission – 1800-638-CPSC).

** This estimate would be for plastic snow fencing and metal posts. Other fence choices are wood or chain-link fence which can be as costly as several thousand dollars depending on the size of your outdoor play space.

No-Cost or Low-Cost Additional Suggested Items

Public Library books, cassette tapes, books on tape, videos, toys, etc.

Ask for recyclable products for art projects from parents (ex. Milk jugs, toilet paper rolls, scrap paper)
Homemade playdough

Dress-Up clothing (look through your closets for hats, scarves, dresses, shoes, costume jewelry, etc.)

Musical instruments from kitchen utensils and pots/pans; shakers made from small container with lids (duct tape) and beans or rice

Dish tubs and household items (sieves, funnels, measuring spoons, etc.) for water or other sensory (beans, rice) play at the kitchen table

Large cardboard boxes for pretend play

Homemade puppets (out of paper bags, socks or fabric)

Bubbles (dish soap and water)

Flashlights, measuring tapes and rulers for pretend play

Homemade puzzles (a magazine picture covered with clear Contact paper, glued onto sturdy cardboard and cut into pieces)

Homemade books (cover photographs or magazine pictures with clear Contact paper, glued onto cardboard or tagboard, paper punch holes and tie with yarn)

Collage materials for art (Styrofoam peanuts, feathers, wrapping paper scraps, etc.)

Homemade felt board (cover a piece of plywood with felt and cut-out animals, objects, etc.)
Poker chips/cards

Questions to consider when making a purchase:

Is the toy sturdy and well-made so it will last a long time?

Does the toy have different uses? Can it used by children of all ages?