Have you ever ordered the wrong product, missed key shipping or delivery details, or purchased too much or too little of what you needed? These missteps can lead to wasted time, additional costs, and unnecessary stress during already-busy program planning cycles.
For more than 50 years, Kaplan Early Learning Company has supported early childhood classrooms with products and services that turn learning into play. It’s no surprise that our Customer Service team has seen its fair share of ordering blunders that are more common than you might think. But with the right planning, guidance, and resources, these ordering mistakes are easy to avoid.
5 common ordering mistakes—and how to avoid them
Below we’ve rounded up the most common mistakes customers make when ordering classroom products, plus simple tips to help you avoid them.
1. Overlooking product dimensions
It’s easy to assume a product will fit your space. But overlooking product dimensions can lead to items that don’t fit your classroom layout as expected. This is especially true when ordering large furniture pieces, like tables, chairs, and shelving units.
To avoid unnecessary returns or a cramped classroom, always verify the product dimensions before adding an item to your online cart. When shopping on kaplanco.com, review the product pages for specifications. You can also reach out to our Customer Support Team to ensure you have the right fit before you order.
2. Not checking whether products are age-appropriate
At first glance, a product may look like a great fit for your early childhood classroom. But it’s important to make sure it aligns with children’s developmental stage, safety needs, and learning goals before purchasing. For example, infants and toddlers need materials that are free of choking hazards, while preschoolers benefit from hands-on tools that support imaginative play, fine motor development, and early learning skills.
When ordering online, we offer several helpful ways to make sure the products you choose are a good fit for the children in your classroom:
- Review the product page. For most products, from furniture to art supplies, the description or specifications include the recommended age ranges.
- Explore our classroom lists. These curated lists highlight age-appropriate materials and furnishings for every classroom, including infant, toddler, transitional kindergarten, and early elementary.
- Browse products by age group. In our main menu, you can click “Shop by Ages” to explore products designed for specific age ranges, from birth to 12 months through 8 years and up.
With these tools, you can feel confident that the products you order are a great fit for your classroom and children’s needs.
3. Overlooking shipping and delivery requirements
Like most online retailers, Kaplan's shipping and delivery aren’t one-size-fits-all. Delivery timelines and shipping methods vary depending on the product, order size, your location, and whether the item ships from Kaplan or from the manufacturer.
Follow these guidelines to confirm shipping and delivery methods before making a purchase:
Review shipping details on the product page. Before placing your order, take a few minutes to check the product page for estimated delivery windows, shipping methods, and any special delivery notes, such as surcharges for expedited deliveries. This can help you avoid surprises and better plan for setting up your classroom.
Plan ahead for custom products. Certain items, like playground equipment, are manufactured to order and may have longer or less predictable lead times. In most cases, lead times can vary from 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the time of year.
Confirm delivery and off-loading requirements for large items. Depending on your order, you may have several delivery options available. For larger orders, we can coordinate K-Truck delivery services, which include offloading products, unpacking boxes, assembling and placing items in classrooms, and removing packaging materials. If your order includes oversized or heavy items, reach out to our team before placing your order so we can help you select the best delivery solution for your program.
Taking a few extra steps to review shipping and delivery requirements can help you avoid delays and ensure your classroom is ready when your order arrives.
4. Ordering too many or too few products
Knowing how much to buy for your classroom can be tricky. Ordering too much may result in unnecessary spending or clutter. But ordering too little may mean having to reorder supplies or making your classroom work without everything you need.
To avoid this mistake, start by verifying how many items you need to support your classroom space, routines, and activities. The quantity you need may depend on several factors, including:
- The number of children in your classroom
- The space you have available
- How often the materials will be used
- Whether children will share items or use them independently
If you're unsure where to start, our Classroom Lists can help. Each list includes recommended product quantities tailored to specific age groups and classroom sizes. As you shop, be sure to check each product page for quantity details, as some items are sold individually while others come in sets. Before checking out, take a moment to review your cart to ensure you've selected the appropriate quantities for your classroom's needs.
5. Skipping past assembly requirements
Not all classroom furniture arrives ready to use. Some products ship assembled, while others need assembly upon delivery. Some products—especially large playground equipment, swings, and interactive technology—may even require professional installation. Checking installation requirements ahead of time can help you avoid surprises upon delivery.
When ordering from kaplanco.com, review the product description for assembly requirements. If your product requires professional setup, we can help!
For playground equipment, professional installers build your equipment with safety and durability in mind. Contact a playground specialist to learn more about our playground installation services.
For furniture and larger classroom products, our K-Truck Delivery and Setup teams can offload boxes, assemble products, and provide a full status report. Reach out to our K-Truck Assisted Delivery Coordinator at deliveries@kaplanco.com or 1-800-334-2014 to see which level of service best fits your needs.
Planning ahead for assembly and installation needs helps guarantee a smooth delivery experience. With professional support available, you can rest assured that products are set up safely and correctly.
Order early childhood products with confidence at kaplanco.com
Ordering classroom products shouldn’t be stressful or time-consuming. At Kaplan, our goal is to help save you time, reduce unnecessary costs, and make purchasing easier from start to finish.
We design our product pages to give you the information you need to make informed purchases. But if you have more questions, contact our Kaplan Sales Reps! They’ll guide you on selecting products, placing orders, coordinating deliveries, checking your order status, and more. With the right information and support, ordering early childhood products through Kaplan becomes a seamless, error-free experience.
