Nap Mats or Cots

[MotherNature]

Hello- This past summer when I was considering opening my daycare, I bought a few nap mats from a daycare that was closing. I have yet to use them, as the kid I have falls asleep on the couch, but since I'm looking to get another kid or two, I just have questions about the mats. I don't have a dedicated room for them to sleep in. Is that a problem? I do darken the living/dining area though & keep it quiet. I generally sit on the couch & hang out online next to the kids or get crafts ready to go while they sleep. Sometimes I wash dishes, but usually am right with them. Anyway, are mats still in use or has everyone moved to cots? I like the look of the cots, but I don't really want to bring them up from the basement every day & don't want them just hanging out in the LR constantly. The mats I have fold up but aren't super plush, just kind of padded a little. Thanks!

[Willow]

I have mats and they work great!

All of mine nap on the living room floor, I too just close the curtains and either clean or hang out online next to them.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I've seen many places (both in-home and facilities) use mats!

I use, and prefer, cots. Unless your state guidelines state something specific then it is up to you to decide what you like. Cots DO take up a lot of room.

[MizzCheryl]

Cots!
With mats the kids always wanted to roll around on the floor and didn't sleep as well.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

Cots!
With mats the kids always wanted to roll around on the floor and didn't sleep as well.

This was my experience too! They do take space but so did my mats! I really think that they take up about the same space. I stand them on end and they sit in a corner of my breakfast nook.

[Candy]

Im going to use mats. The 2" daydreamer. They are super thick and last forever. I don't have rooms cots.

[snbauser]

I use cots. I like that they are up off the floor a few inches. My room is hardwood with some area rugs so in the winter the floor can be a little cool to lay on.

[MotherNature]

That's what I was wondering..I have hardwood as well & an area rug in the LR. Thanks everyone. I'll try the mats & if they don't work, I'll find a couple cots.

[MaryM]

& make sure you check your regs- in Oklahoma mats have to be on carpet & be at least 2 inches thick. If you don't have carpet/area rugs, you have to use cots.

[Springdaze]

a parent told me their DR didnt want the child to sleep on a mat (?) so she brought in a cot from Walmart that folds up and goes in a bag. Its really cool and I may get one for the other kids!

[Springdaze]

here it is

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Regalo-My-Cot-Travel-Bed/4433186

[Scout]

I use cots and honestly the fact that they take up room has never bothered me! I put a sheet over them and just put them against my wall in LR. I also like the fact that they are off the ground as I have hardwood and no area rug!

[butterfly]

I use the fold up nap mats and like that I can fold them up and tuck them away in a closet. However, if I had a dedicated space for cots, I would much prefer to have cots for the kids. I've had a few kids through the years that tended to roll around and kick the mats out from under themselves.

I have a hard floor, no carpet but most kids still sleep great on them.

[Blackcat31]

I have mats and they work great!

All of mine nap on the living room floor, I too just close the curtains and either clean or hang out online next to them.

1+

[Patches]

I have cots. I prefer cots oer mats any day. I store mine n a closet inder the stairs and I don't mind giving up that space for the cots.