Cheap Nap & Cubby Options

[Nebula]

Hi Everyone

I am in the process of opening my own home daycare (my size of place the state says I can have up to 4 kids at a time) and am stuck on nap time. I have tried to find those Red & Blue kinder mats, but walmart does not sell them anymore- at least not cheap (they are like $15). My state only requires, for a home center that each child be given an "individual mat or cot to sleep". And it leaves room for leeway. My question is several.

Cots are really expensive, and it seems the mats are too.... When I was in Kindergarten, our school had these thick braided rugs they gave us, and it was OK because they could be washed- I know fabric is OK as kids can have mat sheets, their own blankets etc.

How do you handle naptime? My budget is obviously low, but the local dollar general has those thick braided rugs for $5 each...... they are about 1/4 inch thick.. I wonder?

Also, cubbies- since each child is required to have their own space, I wonder if those Fabric cubes placed on a bookshelf would suffice?

Thanks

[cheerfuldom]

Hi Everyone

I am in the process of opening my own home daycare (my size of place the state says I can have up to 4 kids at a time) and am stuck on nap time. I have tried to find those Red & Blue kinder mats, but walmart does not sell them anymore- at least not cheap (they are like $15). My state only requires, for a home center that each child be given an "individual mat or cot to sleep". And it leaves room for leeway. My question is several.

Cots are really expensive, and it seems the mats are too.... When I was in Kindergarten, our school had these thick braided rugs they gave us, and it was OK because they could be washed- I know fabric is OK as kids can have mat sheets, their own blankets etc.

How do you handle naptime? My budget is obviously low, but the local dollar general has those thick braided rugs for $5 each...... they are about 1/4 inch thick.. I wonder?

Also, cubbies- since each child is required to have their own space, I wonder if those Fabric cubes placed on a bookshelf would suffice?

Thanks

what state are you in? have you asked your licensor about these issues?

[Nebula]

I live in Texas.

I am still waiting on the paperwork to come through, but all I can get out of the licenser is that that each child must have an individual sleeping area and it must be able to be washed.... I asked about the rugs, they said as long as they aren't shared....... But im still not sure I want to go thsat route?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

You could always require your clients to supply their own mat to sleep on.

[LaLa1923]

You could always require your clients to supply their own mat to sleep on.

Some states require we supply it.

I personally use sleeping bags, much cheaper and sanitary. I got mine for $2-$5 in perfect condition from yard sales and cl.

If you cannot use those then I would buy cheap shower curtains and those egg crate rolls and make your own mats. This is a much cheaper solution. You could then use regular sized sheets on them.

[blandino]

You could always require your clients to supply their own mat to sleep on.

If I were just starting, that is what I would do. After seeing how poorly even the expensive mats hold up - I wouldn't want to invest in them again. I, personally, would buy cots if I had to do it all over again. I LOATHE stacking mats at the end of each day - I would much rather deal with cots that can't fold and aren't floppy.

Our state has regulations about the thickness and materials they are made out of. So I had to keep those in mind.

[JoseyJo]

We use camping mats from walmart (about $5 i think). Kansas requires individual cots or mats at least 1/2 inch thick and over carpet. We have hardwoods so we use large carpet sample squares (got free from a carpet store) under the mats. I made slip cover sheets for them (like a large pillow case) using flat sheets. Each twin sheet made 2 covers, w/ enough left over to make 2 sheets to cover up with. I also made little pillows out of the same sheets.

We have to keep each child's mat and bedding separated when stored so we roll the top sheet and pillow up into the mat and store them in bags (like the ones for sleeping bags) that I made out of a tarp. We have had them for 5 years now and still going strong!

[youretooloud]

I don't do cubbies at all. But, if I did, I think i'd just get some wash tubs from the dollar store. They are just one dollar, and won't hold up for very long, but for a year or so, it should be fine.

Then, if you want a few well made nap mats, the best i've found are at Discount school supplies. But, you should shop around for the best price, or free shipping.

http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?category=0&keyword=nap&scategoryid=0

Then, I use old sheets to sew pillowcase type covers for them. You could require each child to bring a pillow and blanket. But, if you wanted to supply those, Walmart has them for pretty cheap.

I think one of the best long term investments you can make is a sewing machine.

[mamac]

Hi Everyone

I am in the process of opening my own home daycare (my size of place the state says I can have up to 4 kids at a time) and am stuck on nap time. I have tried to find those Red & Blue kinder mats, but walmart does not sell them anymore- at least not cheap (they are like $15). My state only requires, for a home center that each child be given an "individual mat or cot to sleep". And it leaves room for leeway. My question is several.

Cots are really expensive, and it seems the mats are too.... When I was in Kindergarten, our school had these thick braided rugs they gave us, and it was OK because they could be washed- I know fabric is OK as kids can have mat sheets, their own blankets etc.

How do you handle naptime? My budget is obviously low, but the local dollar general has those thick braided rugs for $5 each...... they are about 1/4 inch thick.. I wonder?

Also, cubbies- since each child is required to have their own space, I wonder if those Fabric cubes placed on a bookshelf would suffice?

Thanks

Walmart doesn't carry those mats year round. They only have them when they sell their school supplies. You should be able to get them in another month or so.

Edit: They usually have two different thicknesses, too. The red and blue which I believe is 1" and the green and blue which is 2".

[blandino]

We use camping mats from walmart (about $5 i think). Kansas requires individual cots or mats at least 1/2 inch thick and over carpet. We have hardwoods so we use large carpet sample squares (got free from a carpet store) under the mats. I made slip cover sheets for them (like a large pillow case) using flat sheets. Each twin sheet made 2 covers, w/ enough left over to make 2 sheets to cover up with. I also made little pillows out of the same sheets.

We have to keep each child's mat and bedding separated when stored so we roll the top sheet and pillow up into the mat and store them in bags (like the ones for sleeping bags) that I made out of a tarp. We have had them for 5 years now and still going strong!

I will never understand the wide variance between state licensing regulations. Our mats have to be 2" thick. What a huge difference ! You would think if 1/2" we're suitable in one state, they should be suitable everywhere !?!

[Little Star75]

I bought most of my items on CL, a near by center was upgrading their cots so they sold me theirs for a very cheap price with sheets included and they are in great condition too. Like mentioned above... Try yard sales and CL

[Nebula]

I can't require the parents bring their own, I must provide them. I am all for states having the same rules nationwide, would make things much easier!

I like the egg crate idea...... I can get a full or queen size ande cut it in forths to make the 4 mats then cover it with some hand sewn sheets.... Liking it so far! And would be comfy too

[Laurel]

I can't require the parents bring their own, I must provide them. I am all for states having the same rules nationwide, would make things much easier!

I like the egg crate idea...... I can get a full or queen size ande cut it in forths to make the 4 mats then cover it with some hand sewn sheets.... Liking it so far! And would be comfy too

I'm not sure what egg crate is but whatever you make just remember that sometimes children have 'accidents' and pee on them.

Laurel

[Patches]

I can't require the parents bring their own, I must provide them. I am all for states having the same rules nationwide, would make things much easier!

I like the egg crate idea...... I can get a full or queen size ande cut it in forths to make the 4 mats then cover it with some hand sewn sheets.... Liking it so far! And would be comfy too

I got cots at the flea market and at a daycare closing auction. Watch CL!

[LaLa1923]

I'm not sure what egg crate is but whatever you make just remember that sometimes children have 'accidents' and pee on them.

Laurel

Yes don't forget to cover with shower cyrtain