Our LO started nursery a few months back, aged 2, some thoughts:
• there is a lot of (welcome) messy play, things like water, paint, colour powder, mud, glue, natural stuff that stains eg beetroot - not all of that washes out, so don’t use “nice” stuff at nursery;
• there has been a lot of emphasis on getting the children to try and dress themselves in our child’s room, at least partly, eg shoes on after nap, own coat and hat on for outdoor time etc - don’t get really fiddly stuff or hats that need to be tied, we’ve had to change all the shoes to Velcro DC was getting so frustrated with her slip-ons;
• things go missing a lot - often we get them back eventually, but if it’s the main warm jumper or whatever it can be a hassle if you forget to check it’s been sent home on Friday evening and find yourself without it over the weekend;
• indoors the nursery is pretty warm, so we do leggings (sometimes with tights) and long sleeved T-shirt + maybe a jumper then warm jacket, ski-type trousers and big hat for outdoors;
• hoodies have been a problem in my experience - looking at photos on the app, staff don’t always take them off for nap and that can be a hassle around their face/neck;
• hair clips never come back, don’t bother!
We’ve had two pieces of clothing entirely written off so far, both because of colour stuff that doesn’t wash out.
Also note that when they start potty training they don’t want things with poppers, so don’t buy next size up stuff with those if you’re doing a bulk shop for the year (depends on your DC’s age obviously).
Our nursery ask for x2 changes of clothes + socks, spare indoor shoes and winter hat/weather cream or sun hat and sun cream in the day bag.