A childcare uniform has to cope with a day spent on the floor, in the sandpit and at the meal table. A practical kit is a colourful polo or tee with the centre logo, shorts or pants with some stretch, a sun hat for outdoor play and an apron for the messy jobs. Here's what to look for in each, using styles from our range.
Tops: a polo or a tee in your centre colours
Polo or tee is a style call for your centre. What matters more is a style that comes in your colour and in every size your team needs.
- Aussie Pacific Hunter Womens Polo 2312: 210gm polyester and cotton pique with side splits, listed as "Snag resistant fabric for longevity". It comes in 17 colours, including Fuschia, Kelly Green, Orange, Purple and Teal, in sizes 6 to 26.
- Aussie Pacific Botany Womens Polo 2307: a 160gm all-polyester mini waffle knit, listed as "Easy care fabric", in nine colours and sizes 6 to 26.
- Biz Womens Crew Polo P400LS: 210 GSM polyester and cotton pique in 12 colours. For more arm cover, the long sleeve P400LL comes in charcoal, navy or black.
- GOODMATES Womens Everyday Tee X2001W: a 225gsm combed cotton tee with a relaxed cut, in XS to 2XL.
If you'd like the children's tops to match, the Hunter and Botany both have kids' versions (3312 and 3307) in sizes 4 to 16, in the same colours as the women's styles. The smallest is a size 4, so check fit for younger children. Our kids tops collection has more.
Shorts and pants that handle floor play
Educators kneel, crouch and sit on the floor for much of the day, so a stretch waist or some give in the fabric earns its place.
- Biz Comfort Waist Womens Cargo Short CL957LS: a lightweight polyester, viscose and elastane plain weave with a "built in comfort stretch waist band", in navy, black or charcoal, sizes 4 to 26. The matching CL954LL cargo pant runs to size 30.
- Biz Lawson Womens Chino Short BS021L: 98% cotton with 2% elastane, "Above knee length", with two side pockets and two back welt pockets.
Hats for outdoor play
Your centre's sun protection policy should decide the hat style, so check it before you order. Here's what three listings state:
| Hat | Style | Sun rating listed | Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legend Life 4057A | Legionnaire | UPF 50+, AS/NZS 4399 | Touch fastener and elastic |
| Legend Life 4005A | Bucket, 6.5cm brim | UPF 50+, AS/NZS 4399 | XS 52-53cm to XL 61-62cm |
| AS Colour 1172 | Wide brim bucket | Not stated | One size, chin strap |
The 4005A listing compares its brim with "Cancer Council recomm. 6cm". Neither Legend Life listing names an edition of AS/NZS 4399, which matters if your policy specifies one. Our straw hats guide covers another broad-brim option. Choosing hats for the children too? Check sizing and any straps or toggles against your centre's policy for each age group.
Aprons for meals, art and messy play
An apron keeps paint and lunch off the uniform and is quick to swap when it's dirty.
- Biz Bib Apron BA95: 190 GSM polyester and cotton twill with an adjustable halter strap, a large central front pocket and a towel loop. Its 11 colours include lime, orange, royal and red.
- JB's Bib Apron with Pocket: 86 x 93cm in 190gsm polyester and cotton, with an adjustable neck strap and a 30 x 18cm pocket. Colours include hot pink, purple and royal.
A warm layer for early starts
For cool mornings in the yard, a jacket or jumper in a matching colour keeps the team looking like a team. The Aussie Pacific Selwyn Womens Jacket 2512 is a light soft shell listed as "water repellent and wind resistant".
Logos and ordering
A small embroidered logo on the left chest is the classic look on a polo. Hats, aprons and jackets are different fabrics, and the fabric often decides the method, so tell us which garments you've chosen and we'll recommend one for each. Our embroidery or printing guide explains the options, and our ordering guide covers sizes and logo positions.
If your centre prefers scrub-style tops, our scrubs guide covers fabric and fit for a team.
Tell us your centre colours, how many educators you're dressing and the sizes you need through our custom workwear enquiry form, and we'll put together a uniform for your team.
