I have a full stock of Gap Warmest coats, hats, shoes and sweatshirts that have the sleeves double backed and sewn that I pop over the coat so the kids have their hands covered and warm. I do not have the parents provide ANYTHING for outdoor wear. I supply every thing for every child every day. The parents bring them in whatever they want to get them from the car into my house. I have learned that getting a crew of eight parents to provide appropriate, fitted, and EASY ON outdoor gear is way way too much work for me so I invested in a full stock of gear. Regardless of the age or size of each kid, I have enough for every kid every day. I don't discuss winter gear with parents. I just tell them at the interview that I don't use their stuff so just dress them in their day care clothes and whatever else you want for your time with them outside.

I have half the kids here who are using their own winter coats for arrival and departure and already the velcro and zippers are failing. Two kids have already had two coats and we haven't even had snow yet. It's been quite warm for winter in Iowa. If I relied on the clothing they come in it wouldn't last any way. The quality of kids clothing now is so poor that the hardware and velcro wear out really quickly. I purchased the best I could find about four years ago and it's holding up really well. I also provide KEDS velcro shoes so we have fitted easy on shoes too.