On the first day of nursery or kindergarten you need two things: a set of clothes and practical items (spare clothes, indoor shoes, wipes) and the mandatory medical documents. The documents are set by law — especially the “clinically healthy” certificate, required on the very first day, and the epidemiological clearance / proof of vaccination, needed before attendance starts. The list of items, on the other hand, is set by each unit.

Below is the full checklist: what to actually pack, which documents you need, and what differs between nursery and kindergarten.

Checklist: what to pack (practical items)

Each nursery/kindergarten communicates the exact list at the parents’ meeting before the start (at Cluj nurseries, usually between 1 and 4 September). Still, these items are required almost everywhere:

  • Spare clothes (1–2 full sets: top, trousers, underwear, socks).
  • Slippers or indoor shoes, easy to put on.
  • Wet and dry wipes.
  • A water bottle/cup, labelled with the child’s name.
  • Diapers (for ante-preschoolers / nursery) — the quantity is set by the unit.
  • A comfort object (a favourite toy), if the unit allows — it helps with settling in.
  • For extended-hours programmes: sometimes pyjamas and personal bedding for naps (confirm with the unit).

A useful myth to clear up: by law (Health Ministry Order no. 1456/2020), the mattress, blanket, protective cover and 2–3 changes of bedding per child are supplied by the unit, not the parent. Many units still ask for a personal comfort item — but the basic bedding is the institution’s obligation.

Label everything with the child’s name and check your unit’s specific list — the quantities (diapers, wipes) and nap items differ from one institution to another.

The mandatory medical documents for the first day

This is the strictly regulated part. For kindergarten (and preschool/ante-preschool-level groups), Order ME no. 4018/2024, Art. 16 requires:

  • A certificate from the family doctor that the child is “clinically healthy” — needed on the very first day of attendance at the unit.
  • An epidemiological clearance / proof of vaccination, issued by the family doctor before attendance starts.

For nursery (ages 0–3), the corresponding rule is in GD 566/2022, Art. 16: the same medical file, with the epidemiological clearance / proof of vaccination issued at most 5 days before attendance starts.

The documents follow standardised templates (“Medical certificate for enrolment in a collectivity” and “Epidemiological clearance”), approved by joint MS/ME Order no. 1503/6821/2025.

What differs at nursery (ages 0–3)

Nurseries have a few particularities compared with kindergarten:

  • For ante-preschoolers, the unit supplies the care infrastructure by law (individual potties, a diaper-changing space and table). Diapers and wipes are usually brought by the parent — but this is set by each nursery’s internal regulation, not a national norm, so ask the unit.
  • Cluj’s municipal nurseries (run by the Nursery Budget Administration Centre Cluj-Napoca) require, on top of the national baseline, a TB skin test and a stool parasitology exam for the child, per the Cluj Public Health Directorate’s instructions (HCL no. 678/2018). This is a local addition, applying to Cluj’s state nurseries, not a national rule.

When you need an epidemiological clearance again

  • After an absence of more than 3 consecutive days due to illness, the child needs a fresh epidemiological clearance, issued at most 48 hours before returning to the collectivity (GD 566/2022; Health Ministry Order 1456/2020).
  • No epidemiological clearance is required after a school holiday — the rule applies only when returning after illness (joint MS/ME Order 1503/6821/2025).

You’ll find the full details on this document in our guide to the medical certificate and epidemiological clearance.

Frequently asked questions

What should I pack in my child’s nursery/kindergarten bag? Spare clothes, indoor slippers, wet and dry wipes, a water bottle, diapers (at nursery) and, optionally, a comfort object. Each unit communicates the exact list and quantities at the parents’ meeting.

Which medical documents are mandatory on the first day? The family doctor’s certificate that the child is “clinically healthy” (on the very first day) and the epidemiological clearance / proof of vaccination (before attendance starts).

Do I need to bring a blanket and bedding? No — by law, the bedding (mattress, blanket, cover, changes of bedding) is supplied by the unit. Many kindergartens still ask for a personal comfort item.

What extra do Cluj state nurseries require? A TB skin test and a stool parasitology exam, per the Cluj Public Health Directorate’s instructions (a local rule for municipal nurseries).

Do I need an epidemiological clearance after a holiday? No. The clearance is required only when returning after an illness-related absence of more than 3 days, not after school holidays.

Sources

  • Order ME no. 4018/2024 — Framework enrollment methodology, Art. 16 (medical documents, first day)
  • Government Decision no. 566/2022 — Nursery methodology, Art. 16 (clearance at most 5 days) and Art. 16(4) (return after illness)
  • Joint MS/ME Order no. 1503/6821/2025 — medical care in collectivities (certificate/clearance templates; no clearance after holidays)
  • Health Ministry Order no. 1456/2020 — hygiene norms (bedding supplied by the unit)
  • Cluj-Napoca nurseries regulation (HCL no. 678/2018) — TB test + stool parasitology exam; creseclujnapoca.ro

See all our official sources on the data sources page.

Conclusion

The bag has a simple part (clothes, slippers, wipes, a water bottle) and a serious one: the medical documents. Remember that the “clinically healthy” certificate is required on the very first day, and the epidemiological clearance must be obtained before the start. Confirm the exact list with your unit and prepare the documents in advance. You’ll find every nursery and kindergarten in Cluj-Napoca on the interactive piticluj.ro map.