Need To Adjust Nap Schedule

[jenboo]

We are an infant/ toddler daycare and currently almost all the kids are 15-18 months. We have been napping at noon with lunch at 11 but i think we need to nap earlier.
10-11 am is miserable! Everyone is so crabby and it turns into a huge cry fest. After nap, everyone is super happy.

Do you think 1130 is too early for a nap? I think we could still do lunch at 11 and they could essentially go straight from lunch to nap. Should we try 1145am instead?

When do your toddlers nap? Maybe they are just so grumpy from being inside all winter??

[jenboo]

I just realized that if i don't bump lunch up, then it won't change the 10-11am cry fest.
Lunch at 1030 seems so early!

[daycarediva]

are they all down to one nap? can you do an early morning power nap?

We eat at 11:30 and go straight down. One book, then rest time bc even my 2-5yo's are miserable and in dire need of down time by then.

[Ariana]

I would think they need a morning nap as well. They should be able to make it to 12-1pm. What time do they get to your house? Maybe put then down 1/2 hour after they arrive. This is what I do.

[LysesKids]

I just realized that if i don't bump lunch up, then it won't change the 10-11am cry fest.
Lunch at 1030 seems so early!

Don't forget we lose an hour this weekend because of daylight savings crap... My 14 month old takes a power nap at 9:30 & wakes in time for lunch then he naps again about 130-3 perfect timing for moms 330 pick up; my 3 others are under 6 months so it's whenever for them

[Unregistered]

I have lunch from 11-11:30, then change diapers/potty, then naptime. I read two books while they settle down and usually by the end of story time they are ready to or are asleep.

[jenboo]

I would think they need a morning nap as well. They should be able to make it to 12-1pm. What time do they get to your house? Maybe put then down 1/2 hour after they arrive. This is what I do.

Most arrive between 830-9. I did try morning naps before and either no one fell sleep or if they did, they didn't fall asleep for an afternoon nap.

I Do have a constant crier leaving at the end of the month.

Maybe i will wait it out and see what happens come April

[jenboo]

[QUOTE=daycarediva;627285]are they all down to one nap? can you do an early morning power nap?

We eat at 11:30 and go straight down. One book, then rest time bc even my 2-5yo's are miserable and in dire need of down time by then.[/QUOTE

Everyone is on one nap

[Lovisa]

I have a 14 month old. He gets dropped off at 5:30am so he is up early. Morning nap from 8-9:30 (I wake him at 9:30 ALWAYS). Lunch is at 11:15. Then he naps with the rest of the kiddos from 12-2:30.

[Ariana]

Most arrive between 830-9. I did try morning naps before and either no one fell sleep or if they did, they didn't fall asleep for an afternoon nap.

I Do have a constant crier leaving at the end of the month.

Maybe i will wait it out and see what happens come April

That is kind of late! I do it at 9-9:30 with my 15 month old and she goes to sleep at 1pm.

[jenboo]

That is kind of late! I do it at 9-9:30 with my 15 month old and she goes to sleep at 1pm.

Yeah we don't have early mornings here. I think a morning nap would really push back afternoon nap which would then run into some pick up times.

The last two days have been great without the criers so i think that's the problem.

One is gone the end of this month and the other will be gone in a couple months but is only 2 days so not horrible.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

We eat at 11 (sometimes 10:45) and go straight down for nap after. If we are hitting crabby at 10ish I usually load the little ones into the stroller and we go for a walk. One will sometimes nod off but wakes to eat lunch and then naps at naptime. Any over 2years walk. When it gets nicer out we head outside for the 10- 11 crabbies. Today was cold so I dumped pit balls on kitchen floor and they ran around in those. I guess what I am saying is some type of distraction and for my littles it is usually something physical.

[Conoad]

I'm often feeding lunch at 1030. My kids are hungry even with snack. Maybe an earlier lunch will help the crabbiness and they could make it until the regularly scheduled nap. Then you aren't changing both? We still nap at noon. After lunch is quiet activities. I usually read to them.

[jenboo]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I think the problem was two criers. One is finally adjusting and the other is leaving at the end of the month.