Naptime

[Britt507]

I have another issue that has come up with rest time. We have ages three to five and the rule had always been that if they're in the program they have to rest until a few years ago when there were certain kids in the program that were related to the former director/supervisor and it was taken away.

It's something we want to get back to; is if they're in the daycare, they need to rest. Not sleep but lay quietly on their cot.

What I was wondering, what are others' policies about naptime? We have had parents refuse to let their child nap and that makes it hard on us because the kids who's parents want to them to nap see that and then want to be a 'non napper' too.

[racemom]

Everyone lays down for quiet time in our center. If they don't nap, it's ok, but they must lay still. No exceptions, no parents saying no nap. We tell parents that we can't make kids nap, but they must lay down so others can nap.

Edited to add: if parents don't want them to nap, we tell them we all lay down, and we cannot make them stay awake.

[happymom]

Everyone lays down for quiet time in our center. If they don't nap, it's ok, but they must lay still. No exceptions, no parents saying no nap. We tell parents that we can't make kids nap, but they must lay down so others can nap.

Edited to add: if parents don't want them to nap, we tell them we all lay down, and we cannot make them stay awake.

How long are you wanting them to lay still for?

[AmyKidsCo]

What are the licensing regs in your state? In WI we have to put them down until they're 5, but they can get up after 30 min if they're not sleeping.

My policy is that everyone has a quiet time. Older children can look at books, draw, etc, but need to stay in one spot so their bodies can rest. My grandchildren always ask for a nap cot, even though the technically don't need it - sometimes the 8 yr old falls asleep!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

In my state, they're required to lay down and rest if they're in care over 5 hours. They're required to lay down and rest for 1 hour but if they're still awake then an alternate activity needs to be given.

If mine are awake after 1 hour they get books to read on their cot. Board books because they're the least noisy and won't disrupt the other kid's sleeping.

Naptime is 2 hours here in my preschool and is non-negotiable. Everyone lays down.

[laundrymom]

"If they've outgrown nap, they've outgrown my program. Perhaps getting them up an hour earlier and letting them stay up an hour later would not only adjust their sleep pattern to their peers but give you more time together. Thank you for your cooperation. "

[racemom]

How long are you wanting them to lay still for?

Sorry I cannot remember for sure how long a child is suppose to lay down who doesn't fall asleep, because I have toddlers who all nap.

[LysesKids]

I have another issue that has come up with rest time. We have ages three to five and the rule had always been that if they're in the program they have to rest until a few years ago when there were certain kids in the program that were related to the former director/supervisor and it was taken away.

It's something we want to get back to; is if they're in the daycare, they need to rest. Not sleep but lay quietly on their cot.

What I was wondering, what are others' policies about naptime? We have had parents refuse to let their child nap and that makes it hard on us because the kids who's parents want to them to nap see that and then want to be a 'non napper' too.

I offer nap time, but then I am infant toddler only... The regulations in Iowa require rest time so I don't see how the director could say it was optional when the regulations say it's mandatory even in centers and I believe the cut off age is 6 not 5 like most states, but I might be wrong... I use to live in IL across the river from Dubuque and had a lot of friends that did childcare there