2 Hour Naps @ Daycare?

[AmyKidsCo]

Different states have different regulations, I recommend you find out what your state's regulations are.

My naptime is 2 hours. Children who wake early and children who don't sleep can do quiet activities like look at books, and I have special "nap boxes" with small figures, puzzles, etc for them to do until nap time is over.

[Unregistered]

I live in Australia and my 4 1/2 year old son is patted to sleep everyday - much to my disgust..... he is a very active boy and has lots of energy; if he doesnt sleep at day care he is asleep in bed at 7.30-8pm at night and sleeps for a good 12 hours.
I dont believe all centres should have the policy that all children are required to sleep (happy with a rest or quiet time) - its like a one size fits all policy for clothing and it doesnt work.
When my 4 1/2 year old is still awake and hard to settle at 10.30pm at night - then I beg to differ on the sleeping policy. As a parent of 2 children - one who is almost 9 and is constantly getting disturbed by his wide awake brother late at night - then having the difficulty to get them out of bed in the morning as they've had a late night - its a viscious , unhealthy cycle.
I certainly do not think it is rude, selfish or inconsiderate of parent to request for their child not to sleep and some comments in this forum have really hit a nerve. Parents know their children best. My son is at daycare 6-7 hours a day at most, 2 of those hours are sleeping times - which like I said before is encouraged by rocking, patting and soft music - I dont agree at all. Just to appease the lunch roster, get time to do dishes or aleviate staffing issues - surely that cannot be a good enough reason to disrupt the childs sleeping patterns in an evening, which on a regular basis has an effect on a much grander scale in a family.

I wonder when the day care centre closes its doors a the end of the day, that they have any thought for the turmutulous evening faced by a lot of parents whos child has had a lengthy sleep at kindy.

Then stay at home with your own kid and deal with them!!!!

[Unregistered]

I live in Australia and my 4 1/2 year old son is patted to sleep everyday - much to my disgust..... he is a very active boy and has lots of energy; if he doesnt sleep at day care he is asleep in bed at 7.30-8pm at night and sleeps for a good 12 hours.
I dont believe all centres should have the policy that all children are required to sleep (happy with a rest or quiet time) - its like a one size fits all policy for clothing and it doesnt work.
When my 4 1/2 year old is still awake and hard to settle at 10.30pm at night - then I beg to differ on the sleeping policy. As a parent of 2 children - one who is almost 9 and is constantly getting disturbed by his wide awake brother late at night - then having the difficulty to get them out of bed in the morning as they've had a late night - its a viscious , unhealthy cycle.
I certainly do not think it is rude, selfish or inconsiderate of parent to request for their child not to sleep and some comments in this forum have really hit a nerve. Parents know their children best. My son is at daycare 6-7 hours a day at most, 2 of those hours are sleeping times - which like I said before is encouraged by rocking, patting and soft music - I dont agree at all. Just to appease the lunch roster, get time to do dishes or aleviate staffing issues - surely that cannot be a good enough reason to disrupt the childs sleeping patterns in an evening, which on a regular basis has an effect on a much grander scale in a family.

I wonder when the day care centre closes its doors a the end of the day, that they have any thought for the turmutulous evening faced by a lot of parents whos child has had a lengthy sleep at kindy.

Maybe you could offer you provider to pay for a daycare assistant that can take your son outside when everybody is sleeping. That would be a WIN-WIN situation for both the well being of the other children and to make your life easier. Or maybe with that amount you can hire a nanny so she can follow the specific schedule that you want for your son.

[Familycare71]

Hmm, this is a little disappointing to hear. Especially the comment from the daycare provider about not working with the parent to tweak the nap schedule in order to assist the parents at night (except she was much more blunt in saying "I'm not going to change what I'm doing to make it easier on the parents during the evening!"). Obviously working parents need the support of daycare providers and the approach to child care should be partnered and lock-step. While I totally get that daycare providers need a break, what they fail to realize is that they can sometimes be putting their own needs above the needs of the child. As a parent who has a child in daycare, I completely understand the need for my daycare provider to get a break during the day and that this usually happens at nap time. What they may fail to understand is that every child is different. While my oldest napped daily until four years old and still went to bed and woke at a decent hour, my youngest needs much less sleep and his schedule needs to be tweaked to accommodate his developmental changes. When my youngest naps too long during the day, he ends up falling asleep much later that night, then waking during the night and waking very early. Because of this, he is missing sleep and then needs to catch up on that sleep during the day where he takes an even longer nap (which daycare is all too happy to allow) thus making he fall asleep even later and wake even later and on and on. It becomes a vicious cycle. I think that comment about "well if the child is sleeping then he NEEDS a nap" is a total cop-out and is very short-sighted. Yes, in the moment, given everything else that is going on, yes, in that moment he needs a nap. But if his naps were to be tweaked somewhat, he'd have an easier time falling asleep and staying asleep and would get the total number of hours that he needs. This isn't about making it easier for the daycare provider during the day or easier for the parent in the evenings, it's about making sure that the child is well rested and has a schedule that suits them. Maybe this means capping the nap, or skipping it every other day until a new routine is established. This unwillingness to work together with the parent and instead get very defensive and only think about how this change may affect the daycare provider is extremely disappointing and selfish on the part of the daycare provider. Enough so that I will be switching my daycare provider in the next month. Hopefully there are providers out there who really do care about the child's needs and not their daily "break".

I'm assuming you are talking about my comment that was slightly misquoted ...
I do not force a child to nap. I also do not make them lay for hours so sleep from "boredom". When a child is laid down with books for a half an hour and falls asleep- IMO that child needs sleep.
I find it interesting you don't see providers complain: Gee I wish parents would keep their kids up at night so we could have longer nap times! I would find that a selfish statement! Instead I hear: the child isn't functioning, behaving or able to reach their maximum ability due to lack of rest. It is also the same children that seem to be ill often.
Yes- I enjoy nap time. Even when their are kids awake (because they no longer require a nap) because there is less going on and I can mentally recharge and get some things done too. I do not "force" kids to sleep (which I believe is impossible anyway) so I can have my break. I do schedule down time in my day for it however- I think it's good planing.
I work extremely closely with my families in the care of their children! The children are my main priority!! They also know with holding sleep is something I will not do..
And with all that said- I look forward to seeing you on here as a provider - if you can't beat 'em join 'em - is how the saying goes! Good luck with out the quiet time!

[Familycare71]

Then stay at home with your own kid and deal with them!!!!

:hug: happyface happyface

Right!?! Or hire a nanny!!!! Ugh!!!

[Leanna]

Parents: When you comment that your children never nap at home but sleep at child care because they are lulled to (or forced or bored or whatever the situation is), please remember that a day at child care is NOT equivalent to a day at home. At home they sleep in instead of getting up early and getting ready to go to child care. At home they are most relaxed and are watching tv, relaxing, etc. At child care they are busy ALL DAY. They are playing, interacting with the provider, playing outdoors, doing activities, etc. (I am not implying parents don't do these things with their children but it is a different level at child care). PLUS at child care they are constantly surrounded by peers and that is a lot of stimulation in and of itself. A day at child care is much more busy and tiring than a day at home. It is very possible that they are more in need of a nap on child care days.
Our state requires that we provide a rest period for every child. It also says that rest times cannot be excessive and that provisions must be made for children who cannot sleep. In my program, the all of the children are required to lay down for the first thirty minutes. Even those that don't nap need this quiet time to relax their bodies and minds. It also gives me time to get the other children to sleep. After the first half and hour anyone who is till awake get a small tote of quiet toys & materials to play with. They are expected to stay on or near their cots and not to disturb the other children. Also, they are expected to play alone at this time.
This policy works well for me. I think it strikes a good balance.

[Unregistered]

Parents know their children best.

Pfft......really? You know them best? The majority of children in daycare spend at least 40 WAKING hours a week in the care of the provider. If you do the math that is more awake time than with any other caretaker - parents included. Most kids are lucky to spend 4 waking hours a weekday with their parents. Add in the time they spend with grandparents or teenage babysitters on the weekends and yes, it is unequivocably a fact that most kids in daycare actually have a DAYCARE PROVIDER who knows them best.

Sorry, but just because you gave birth to someone does NOT mean you know them best. Besides, daycare providers KNOW children. The average daycare provider, if having provided care for only five years, with five children in care (on average) has over 65,000 WAKING hours of experience caring for children. Find me ANY parent who can claim that who has a toddler. And parents think they "know their child the best". No, isn't so. Parents just don't want to hear the cold, hard truth........getting your child to bed at night isn't about lack of fatigue - it's about LACK OF PARENTING.

Now, be a parent and do what you need to do to get your child to bed and stop making your dcprovider the scapegoat for your inadequacies as a parent.

[MissAnn]

Pfft......really? You know them best? The majority of children in daycare spend at least 40 WAKING hours a week in the care of the provider. If you do the math that is more awake time than with any other caretaker - parents included. Most kids are lucky to spend 4 waking hours a weekday with their parents. Add in the time they spend with grandparents or teenage babysitters on the weekends and yes, it is unequivocably a fact that most kids in daycare actually have a DAYCARE PROVIDER who knows them best.

Sorry, but just because you gave birth to someone does NOT mean you know them best. Besides, daycare providers KNOW children. The average daycare provider, if having provided care for only five years, with five children in care (on average) has over 65,000 WAKING hours of experience caring for children. Find me ANY parent who can claim that who has a toddler. And parents think they "know their child the best". No, isn't so. Parents just don't want to hear the cold, hard truth........getting your child to bed at night isn't about lack of fatigue - it's about LACK OF PARENTING.

Now, be a parent and do what you need to do to get your child to bed and stop making your dcprovider the scapegoat for your inadequacies as a parent.

This thread is old and you are trying to stir up some drama.

[Unregistered]

Pfft......really? You know them best? The majority of children in daycare spend at least 40 WAKING hours a week in the care of the provider. If you do the math that is more awake time than with any other caretaker - parents included. Most kids are lucky to spend 4 waking hours a weekday with their parents. Add in the time they spend with grandparents or teenage babysitters on the weekends and yes, it is unequivocably a fact that most kids in daycare actually have a DAYCARE PROVIDER who knows them best.

Sorry, but just because you gave birth to someone does NOT mean you know them best. Besides, daycare providers KNOW children. The average daycare provider, if having provided care for only five years, with five children in care (on average) has over 65,000 WAKING hours of experience caring for children. Find me ANY parent who can claim that who has a toddler. And parents think they "know their child the best". No, isn't so. Parents just don't want to hear the cold, hard truth........getting your child to bed at night isn't about lack of fatigue - it's about LACK OF PARENTING.

Now, be a parent and do what you need to do to get your child to bed and stop making your dcprovider the scapegoat for your inadequacies as a parent.

Ha! So true! I only had a provider TWO days per week for 3 hours per day when I went to work. She had (at the time) 27 years experience. I was a second time mom to my first boy and my first VERY VERY sick child. He went to daycare that morning fine, played,and suddenly became very fussy, unlike himself, not wanting to nap, nothing. He was 3 months old so we KNEW that this is not normal. She calls me and I was there within the 1/2 hour and my son was blue and burning up. She said "He needs an ER now, I think it could be RSV, I was about to call an ambulance, but he is crying" So 2 minutes down the road I take him to the ER, and she hit the nail RIGHT on the head! My son was hospitalized with RSV!

This woman, while she wasn't around MY Child every single day, she knew enough about children, illnesses, etc and had enough experience that me, the newer mom didn't have, and she saved my son's life.

I would NEVER dis-count anything a good provider tells me about my children with an attitude of I know my kid best and shoop on them! Never.

[Cradle2crayons]

Ha! So true! I only had a provider TWO days per week for 3 hours per day when I went to work. She had (at the time) 27 years experience. I was a second time mom to my first boy and my first VERY VERY sick child. He went to daycare that morning fine, played,and suddenly became very fussy, unlike himself, not wanting to nap, nothing. He was 3 months old so we KNEW that this is not normal. She calls me and I was there within the 1/2 hour and my son was blue and burning up. She said "He needs an ER now, I think it could be RSV, I was about to call an ambulance, but he is crying" So 2 minutes down the road I take him to the ER, and she hit the nail RIGHT on the head! My son was hospitalized with RSV!

This woman, while she wasn't around MY Child every single day, she knew enough about children, illnesses, etc and had enough experience that me, the newer mom didn't have, and she saved my son's life.

I would NEVER dis-count anything a good provider tells me about my children with an attitude of I know my kid best and shoop on them! Never.

As a provider, I'd love to have more parents like you!!

My parents are great and even the young mom of three looks to me for advice. When I tell her something, she takes it serious.

My mom of the special needs baby is exactly the same. She takes me seriously. And even asked me several months ago, one month into caring for her daughter, if I would mind goi to a few doctor appointments with her to help her understand what the doc was saying and to help her tell the doctor all the things I knew about her baby. That made me feel really good.

[Unregistered]

As a provider, I'd love to have more parents like you!!

My parents are great and even the young mom of three looks to me for advice. When I tell her something, she takes it serious.

My mom of the special needs baby is exactly the same. She takes me seriously. And even asked me several months ago, one month into caring for her daughter, if I would mind goi to a few doctor appointments with her to help her understand what the doc was saying and to help her tell the doctor all the things I knew about her baby. That made me feel really good.

Aww! That's awesome and how it should be! It takes a village, it really does.

The DCP I posted about is wonderful and she STILL takes my kids on a drop in basis. They love her!

[Unregistered]

90 min to 2 hours in normal. And visiting at nap time is not acceptable. It disrupts not only your child's routine, but that of the other children. Some children wont sleep at night, if they miss their afternoon nap, because their over tired. I have a new parent that dosent want their toddler to nap. Schudule was clearly explained at interview and parent explained their child nornally napped for 2 hours. However the child is staying up past bedtime and the parent figures taking away nap at my house will solve the problem. FLASH! you cant force a child to stay awake either. Better to nap eariler in the afternoon on routine, then force them to stay awake and have them fall to sleep in the late afternoon. Children need 12 to 14 hours of sleep.

[Jack Sprat]

We nap everyday from 1:30 - 3:30 ( or whenever the kids wake). This is for everyone 5 and under. If the children fall asleep then great. After 30 minutes of quite they can read books, color, etc. If a child falls asleep then imo they need sleep. I have had one parent request her son not be allowed to sleep. Well, he is falling asleep 4 out of 5 days and still going to bed at his normal 10:00 time at home. We are busy and active and their little bodies need rest. Even my 11 yr old will take a nap. As kids enter puberty they need more rest as well.

[Unregistered]

Laundrymom here. Don't know why I can't log in. BUT
My advice.
For parents who have trouble getting their children to bed at night when they take a nap at daycare. Get them up three hours earlier in the morning. They'll be plenty tired by the time evening rolls around. More time with your child is more important than a few hours of beauty sleep. At least that's how I've done it for 26 years with my own children so I got to spend extra time with just them before the daycare children arrived.

[Unregistered]

I am completely shocked that so many people think that if a kid happens to fall asleep while being forced to lie down and stay quiet for 2 hours, he/she MUST need a nap. WRONG. I have 4 1/2 year old triplets who have always woken up on their own between 5:30 and 7am. I can count on one hand the number of times they have slept past 8:00 in their lives. Even when they don't fall asleep until midnight, they wake up by 6-7am. So Laundrymom's idea about waking them up 3 hours earlier? Ummmm...you want me to wake my kids up at 3:30am? Horrible advice.

On daycare days, my kids are up at 6:30am. Their school puts them down at noon for a 2-hour nap that turns into a 3-hour nap. They often don't fall asleep until the 1:30-2:00 mark, and they let them sleep until they wake up. Then at 3:30 they give them a nice sugary snack. So is it any wonder why my kids aren't ready for bed by 7-8 at night??? Why is it that during the summers they can fall asleep by 7-8pm and wake up at 7am and go through the entire day without a nap, but during the school year, they suddenly NEED a 2 hour nap and only sleep from 11pm-6:30am? They literally lie in bed awake for hours before falling asleep around 11pm, 1-2 hours after MY bedtime. It's actually unhealthy for a toddler to sleep to regularly sleep so little at night. They need a good, long stretch of sleep at night much more than a nap during the day.

And, honestly, I couldn't care less that the teachers need a break and quiet time during the day. That's a piss poor excuse to force my kid to lie down quietly for a 2-hour stretch. Child care centers and preschools should provide enough coverage to allow their teachers to take official lunches and breaks - my children shouldn't have to be forced to sit on a cot to accommodate such a break schedule.