What's useful for parents/children to have when they start?

[givemushypeasachance]

A friend is going to be returning to work soon and her one year old DS will be going to a childminder a few days a week. Both her and him have birthdays coming up, and I was wondering what sort of useful presents I could get to help towards that. I expect most childminders would give a list of things they need parents to provide but are there any things you'd particularly recommend as good to have that might not be obvious? Someone I know has suggested a "wet bag" to put dirty clothes in, which goes straight in the washing machine - that sort of thing. Thanks for any suggestions.

Wellies
Decent rain coat
Small rucksack - big enough for communication book, comforter, etc each day.

A new 'grown up' handbag for mum to take to work
Some story cds to listen to in the car on the journey together

This is a lovely idea, however I think your options may be limited because a lot of childminders have individual policies on what a child can bring.
I'm a childminder and don't have much space in my hallway, so ask that children only bring one drawstring back (much easier to hang up than rucksacks) with a change of clothes, coat, suncream, sunhat and nappies. Everything else I provide. It really makes my day more difficult when children bring any more than that, especially if what they bring is bulky (e.g. Another bag to hang) or a toy/dressing up clothes/headband that won't stay on their head etc that they will bicker off and be upset when it gets misplaced.
I would definitely go down the route of getting mum some back to work things - a new bag, a pretty notebook, some new pens or other stationery, etc x

Like a PP said - I provide the bags, etc. A spare pair of wellies, a light raincoat, or a fleece to leave at my house would be handy. Depends on the CM and what they want really.

Thanks very much for the replies. May need to broach this with her rather than having anything try to be a surprise then! Will go for that more practical approach...