Oh yes, play and learn is right, I forgot about that. When I took on my third family I didn't have money at the time to run out and buy another playpen and they did provide one and left it here and just took it when they needed it for the weekend. It was great! I had families bring their own sippy cups and bibs in the beginning too until I built up a good supply of necessities like that too. Just let the families know you are accumulating items slowly and hopefully you will find wonderful people to work with as I did. Thanks for taking me back to the beginning ladies. You made me sit back and realize I've come a long way baby!