How Do You Handle Parents Requesting You Stop Naptime For Their Child?

[ccare_erin]

This is my first in almost nine years. I only keep kids until the summer before Kindergarten. Then they have to leave for the school age program. Primarily for this reason-they have outgrown my daycare.
As it stands all of my dcks nap from 1:30-3:30. No exceptions. And they all do it.
So to my surprise my oldest dcg's mom emailed just now asking to keep her daughter awake at naptime and find a quiet activity.
I can understand where she is coming from, this girl will be five years old next week.
However, with a 10 hour workday, I absolutely love/cherish/cannot-live-without these 2 hour breaks.
She is sleeping right now (I have a video monitor) and I am dreading waking her up.
What do you all do in this situation? I am tempted to tell mom she may have outgrown my program and needs to move on. She has a younger sister here as well so they will move as a pair.
I have had them for two years and adore both. However I am not sure this is something I can compromise on....
Thoughts?
Erin

[Lorna]

I've had a few kids that were older and able to sit quietly and read during nap. But that was 4 years old and older. and it was only during the summer. If the child isn't able to sit quietly during nap then they nap. I use nap time to bake, clean etc. Quiet time for me. I have a 3 year old boy that I think is getting close to this. I am hoping that he will be done at my daycare before that happens. I won't take kids that won't nap. If the 3 year old that I have the moms ask this I will tell her there is no way that he will sit quietly by himself for nap. So I can't keep him up. So either he naps or time for them to find another daycare.

[momtomany74]

In my state children under 5 are required to have a 2 hr rest period. Sorry mom but dck will be resting. I don't take kids that don't nap either as I have a mixed group and need that period of quiet for everyone's sake.

I have this in my parent handbook under napping policy. No one has questioned it.

[Play Care]

"DCM, mine is a napping day care. If Susie has outgrown her nap, she has outgrown my care. I completely understand if you need to seek a day care that can accommodate your request." Said in a sincere tone with a BIG

In my state a child who is not sleeping has to be allowed up off their mat and given something to do. I agree that it's cruel to keep a child who doesn't need a nap on a mat for two hours. That's why I don't take non nappers into my care

[nannyde]

I don't provide service to children who don't need a full afternoon nap.

[ccare_erin]

I sent a response saying that her daughter "has always been a great napper here. and that I can understand at this age it can make for a difficult bedtime. However I keep everyone on the same schedule. Perhaps dcg is outgrowing my daycare?"

That said, I woke dcg up. She has been asking for snack and when is it time for everyone to wake up. Here is my take...My selfish need for quiet time aside...She is already getting 'bored' being the oldest one here. I do a lot with these kids but I can only do so much. If a 2 hour nap helps her day go faster then this is a GOOD thing. I feel like keeping her awake will make her day seem so much longer, and as a result make her not want to come.

Waiting for dcm's response.

[Leigh]

I would talk to mom about what is behind the request to stop naps. I might be willing to wake her child early, but if she is still napping, it is because she still needs it. My own pediatrician says that kids SHOULD nap through age 6 at a minimum, even though schools no longer allow them to do it.

I would just tell mom that you MUST provide the opportunity for her child to rest, and if she sleeps, she sleeps. I would agree to keep the nap to no more than 90 minutes (the time it takes to complete a sleep cycle), but not to forgo naps altogether. If that doesn't work, then I'd let them go. Kids here simply must nap.

[daycarediva]

"DCM, mine is a napping day care. If Susie has outgrown her nap, she has outgrown my care. I completely understand if you need to seek a day care that can accommodate your request." Said in a sincere tone with a BIG

In my state a child who is not sleeping has to be allowed up off their mat and given something to do. I agree that it's cruel to keep a child who doesn't need a nap on a mat for two hours. That's why I don't take non nappers into my care

YUP! I also have to allow them to get up, and there is NOWHERE for them to BE. So I cannot accommodate no nap requests. The MOST that I do for children of this age is lay them down staggered. They are allowed to sit up on their mats if they're not asleep after a 30 minute quiet time, and then I give them busy bags/quiet activities for nap.

If a child doesn't nap for a two week period, I discuss them moving on with the parents. Most kids outgrow nap around age 5 from my experience.

[Josiegirl]

I think what you said to dcm is good, now the ball's in her court.
I tell dcps and kids they don't have to nap, but they do have to be quiet. I'll give the 4 yo's(if they're non nappers) quiet time boxes after they've laid down looking at books for 30 minutes. Usually by that age they get real crabby by the time they go home if they don't nap yet it's so hard for them to fall asleep too. But of course they're all different.
I make the SA have quiet time in the afternoons when they attend. But their quiet time consists of movie time or reading, journals, drawing, as long as it quiet.
I stress to the parents that everybody's body needs a break during the day((especially MINE))

[daycare]

THis...

If a child doesn't nap for a two week period, I discuss them moving on with the parents. Most kids outgrow nap around age 5 from my experience.

I have had to tell 2 parents in my DC over the years that their child has outgrown my program because they are no longer napping.


In addition to what others have said, I also tell them:
Being that I work very long hours and this job requires me to always be the best me I can be for all of the kids and parents, it is also important that I have a break. No one can work 13 hours straight without a break. Nap time is my break.

One family stayed and the other one got mad and left.

[Ariana]

If she is falling asleep she needs a nap. I don't leave it up to mom I leave it up to the kid. It sounds bad but I told one mom her kid did not nap here when she did because the mom thought the nap was ruining her nightime sleep when I knew it was helping her nightime sleep. I was right and her kid needed the sleep. I felt bad for the kid because her mom was a dolt.

I have been with kids who do not need a nap and they lie quietly on their cots. NOTHING will make kids sleep if they are not genuinly tired IME.

[daycarediva]

If she is falling asleep she needs a nap. I don't leave it up to mom I leave it up to the kid. It sounds bad but I told one mom her kid did not nap here when she did because the mom thought the nap was ruining her nightime sleep when I knew it was helping her nightime sleep. I was right and her kid needed the sleep. I felt bad for the kid because her mom was a dolt.

I have been with kids who do not need a nap and they lie quietly on their cots. NOTHING will make kids sleep if they are not genuinly tired IME.

So funny because it usually follows them saying "I can't GET THEM to sleep at night!" Well if YOU can't force them, what makes you think I can? :confused:

[daycare]

THis...

If a child doesn't nap for a two week period, I discuss them moving on with the parents. Most kids outgrow nap around age 5 from my experience.

I have had to tell 2 parents in my DC over the years that their child has outgrown my program because they are no longer napping.


In addition to what others have said, I also tell them:
Being that I work very long hours and this job requires me to always be the best me I can be for all of the kids and parents, it is also important that I have a break. No one can work 13 hours straight without a break. Nap time is my break.

One family stayed and the other one got mad and left.

I was trying to quote you diva and I guess I forgot to click the box...

[Ariana]

So funny because it usually follows them saying "I can't GET THEM to sleep at night!" Well if YOU can't force them, what makes you think I can? :confused:

Yes!! Not only that but they aren't sticking to any routines at home, lots of sugar before bed. This particular mom would bring her kids to the park at 7pm and then expect them to sleep at 8! Lots of turmoil in their home as the mom and dad were separated but still living together etc etc. The little girl was having nightmares every night and would be exhausted the next day BUT yet it was all my fault for "forcing" her to nap

[renodeb]

I absolutely need my two hour break. It is essential to my sanity. I would say she rests or she's outgrown your care. Parents just don't get it.
Deb