2 Hour Naps @ Daycare?

[bklsmum]

It is a silly policy to regulate naps. Every child is different. Those of us that have more than 1 child know that. In fact, I have twins. 1 twin needs about 1 hour more sleep than the other. As they are preschoolers, they fall into the cdc definition of "needing" 11-12 hours. So, one of my twins actually is smack dab in the middle (needs 11.5). The other is on the lower end, needing only 10.5. A daycare that forces a policy of 2 hours at naptime therefore ensures this child doesn't fall asleep until 9:30 or 10pm at night. That's not healthy.

No daycare forces sleep but if they children are sleeping for the full two hours then they need the full two hours. At my daycare the kids don't have to sleep but they do have to lay quietly and not disturb the kids that are sleeping. If they do not fall asleep after a reasonable amount of time they can look at books quietly on the mats but everyone is laying down quietly for two hours here.

[Rockgirl]

It is a silly policy to regulate naps. Every child is different. Those of us that have more than 1 child know that. In fact, I have twins. 1 twin needs about 1 hour more sleep than the other. As they are preschoolers, they fall into the cdc definition of "needing" 11-12 hours. So, one of my twins actually is smack dab in the middle (needs 11.5). The other is on the lower end, needing only 10.5. A daycare that forces a policy of 2 hours at naptime therefore ensures this child doesn't fall asleep until 9:30 or 10pm at night. That's not healthy.

The great thing is that each parent can choose to not enroll their child in a program that doesn't fit their needs/parenting style.

[Rockgirl]

No daycare forces sleep but if they children are sleeping for the full two hours then they need the full two hours. At my daycare the kids don't have to sleep but they do have to lay quietly and not disturb the kids that are sleeping. If they do not fall asleep after a reasonable amount of time they can look at books quietly on the mats but everyone is laying down quietly for two hours here.

That's how I do it here as well. In fact, that's how my state regulates rest time. Legally, it's not even an option to just let them stay up.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

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As a teenager I think my bedtime was 10pm. Putting a 3 or 4 year old to bed at 10pm is ludicrous.

The PP said she puts her child to bed at 10 when he has a nap, not me. If she cannot get her kid to go to bed at an earlier time, that is not my problem. My almost 4 year old takes about a 2 hour nap everyday and is still in bed by 8:30. It is called parenting. Making a child skip a nap they NEED so you can get them to bed at 8 after not seeing them all day is pretty ludicrous to me. And ten is not that late, imo. If they get up at 7, that is 9 hours, plus a 2 hour nap and they are right on par with the amount of sleep a young child needs. Easy Peasy!

[Thriftylady]

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Just as the cdc indicates preschoolers need "in general" 11-12 hours of sleep daily, the generality of the statement implies it likely covers a lot, but not all, kids. I have twin 3 yr olds. One needs about a 90 min. nap daily, the other 30 min. This ensures they go to sleep at night at a healthy time (asleep by around 8-8:30pm). Falling asleep at this time is healthier for them, as they get a longer chunk of total sleep at night (from 8pm to 6am). A daycare that forces my child to nap 120 min. "steals" her nighttime sleep away from her. Then, she only sleeps from 9:30pm to 6am, becomes super cranky and is tired all day. Then, the daycare will 'let her nap' for 2 hours because she is tired. The daycare needs to work with the parents to ensure the best health of each child.

How exactly does one "force" a child to sleep? It isn't possible to force a normal bodily function. That would be like putting a six month old or even a one year old on the potty and "forcing" them to use it. It just can't be done. We legally have to allow them the opportunity to sleep if they need it, and in fact to deny sleep is considered abusive. I will not have child abuse put on me because someone wants me to do something that is considered abuse.

[Unregistered]

Working in concert with parents to maximize child health

How exactly does one "force" a child to sleep? It isn't possible to force a normal bodily function. That would be like putting a six month old or even a one year old on the potty and "forcing" them to use it. It just can't be done. We legally have to allow them the opportunity to sleep if they need it, and in fact to deny sleep is considered abusive. I will not have child abuse put on me because someone wants me to do something that is considered abuse.

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Sorry I mis-spoke. It's not about 'forcing' a child to sleep. What I meant was 'not waking a child up when they need to be woken up to ensure they get an optimal sleep at nighttime'. Just because a child will nap for 2 hours doesn't mean that's best for the health of the child. Think about it.

[Unregistered]

Parenting is about knowing your child

The PP said she puts her child to bed at 10 when he has a nap, not me. If she cannot get her kid to go to bed at an earlier time, that is not my problem. My almost 4 year old takes about a 2 hour nap everyday and is still in bed by 8:30. It is called parenting. Making a child skip a nap they NEED so you can get them to bed at 8 after not seeing them all day is pretty ludicrous to me. And ten is not that late, imo. If they get up at 7, that is 9 hours, plus a 2 hour nap and they are right on par with the amount of sleep a young child needs. Easy Peasy!

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Sorry I disagree. Parenting is not about following what some book says about what an average kid should be doing. It's about knowing your own child and what they need. Lucky for you you have a child that naps well and also sleeps well at night. That makes you lucky, not necessarily a better parent than anyone else.
I know my child. She needs 10 hours of sleep at night, and a 30 minute nap. When she gets that, she is an angel. Why do I have to fight my daycare to ensure she only naps for 30 minutes? If THEY let her sleep longer, it is less healthy for her as she won't get a good sleep at night. The the vicious cycle ensues (tired during day--long nap--won't sleep at night). The onus is on the daycare to follow what the child needs, and if the parent knows they need less sleep the daycare should respect that. They are harming my child by letting her nap too long!!

[Unregistered]

Different in every jurisdiction

That's how I do it here as well. In fact, that's how my state regulates rest time. Legally, it's not even an option to just let them stay up.

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In Canada (Ontario), the law says a child must be offered a rest period, but does not have to sleep, and that sleep/rest/quiet time should be afforded the child based on need. Every child is different.

http://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/150137

(2) Every licensee shall ensure that the program in each child care centre it operates is arranged so that,

(a) each child in a licensed toddler or preschool group who receives child care for six hours or more in a day has a rest period not exceeding two hours in length; and

(b) a child in a licensed toddler, preschool or kindergarten group is permitted to sleep, rest or engage in quiet activities based on the child’s needs.

[childcaremom]

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Sorry I disagree. Parenting is not about following what some book says about what an average kid should be doing. It's about knowing your own child and what they need. Lucky for you you have a child that naps well and also sleeps well at night. That makes you lucky, not necessarily a better parent than anyone else.
I know my child. She needs 10 hours of sleep at night, and a 30 minute nap. When she gets that, she is an angel. Why do I have to fight my daycare to ensure she only naps for 30 minutes? If THEY let her sleep longer, it is less healthy for her as she won't get a good sleep at night. The the vicious cycle ensues (tired during day--long nap--won't sleep at night). The onus is on the daycare to follow what the child needs, and if the parent knows they need less sleep the daycare should respect that. They are harming my child by letting her nap too long!!

If they are harming your child, why do you keep sending her? Find a different daycare that will meet your child's needs or get a nanny.

Why is it the daycare's fault that you don't like their routine? It is your responsibility as a parent to look out for your child's needs.

[Rockgirl]

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In Canada (Ontario), the law says a child must be offered a rest period, but does not have to sleep, and that sleep/rest/quiet time should be afforded the child based on need. Every child is different.

http://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/150137

(2) Every licensee shall ensure that the program in each child care centre it operates is arranged so that,

(a) each child in a licensed toddler or preschool group who receives child care for six hours or more in a day has a rest period not exceeding two hours in length; and

(b) a child in a licensed toddler, preschool or kindergarten group is permitted to sleep, rest or engage in quiet activities based on the child’s needs.

I didn't say the child is required to sleep here. I was agreeing with a previous poster who stated a quiet rest time was offered, and children who didn't fall asleep were offered quiet activities.

[Unregistered]

Daycares should work together with parents?

If they are harming your child, why do you keep sending her? Find a different daycare that will meet your child's needs or get a nanny.

Why is it the daycare's fault that you don't like their routine? It is your responsibility as a parent to look out for your child's needs.

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I pay the daycare to watch my child. I am therefore their employer, they are my employee, you would expect they would work with me on this. Yes I can 'fire' them. The thought has crossed my mind; but all of this is a recent development, so it is a definite consideration (though a huge hassel to move them elsewhere...finding spots for 2 at once is never easy).

[Rockgirl]

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I pay the daycare to watch my child. I am therefore their employer, they are my employee, you would expect they would work with me on this. Yes I can 'fire' them. The thought has crossed my mind; but all of this is a recent development, so it is a definite consideration (though a huge hassel to move them elsewhere...finding spots for 2 at once is never easy).

As a daycare provider, I am self-employed. If I am following my state's regulations, I can set my own policies. My daycare parents are not my employers.

[childcaremom]

As a daycare provider, I am self-employed. If I am following my state's regulations, I can set my own policies. My daycare parents are not my employers.

My daycare families are my clients, not my employer. I am the boss. Can you imagine having multiple bosses, with different expectations, often conflicting, and each expecting you to follow their rules? I don't allow my parents to make the rules or set the policies. I can't. I have my policies in place because they work for me and my daycare. Not all parents agree with them. That's fine. They don't sign on because we aren't a good fit for each other. I am not unreasonable but if a parent request is in conflict with the good of the group it is not going to happen.

Why don't you discuss your issues with your daycare centre or provider? Sounds like your children's needs have changed and are no longer being met by that particular daycare. Therefore, the onus is on you to find something that does meet their needs.

I have similar rest policies. I can't force a child to sleep. I can't force a child to stay awake. I will not wake a child before rest is over. I have turned parents away who don't agree. Parents have not signed on with me who don't agree. We are not good fits for each other. That's fine. I'm ok with it.

If a parent doesn't want their child to participate in rest time, then they are no longer a good fit for my program. I would be replacing them pronto with someone who was.

[daycarediva]

No daycare forces sleep but if they children are sleeping for the full two hours then they need the full two hours. At my daycare the kids don't have to sleep but they do have to lay quietly and not disturb the kids that are sleeping. If they do not fall asleep after a reasonable amount of time they can look at books quietly on the mats but everyone is laying down quietly for two hours here.

My daycare children are all over the place as far as rest times. Some nap, some don't. Some nap 30m, some an entire 3 hours. I can't FORCE anything.

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Sorry I disagree. Parenting is not about following what some book says about what an average kid should be doing. It's about knowing your own child and what they need. Lucky for you you have a child that naps well and also sleeps well at night. That makes you lucky, not necessarily a better parent than anyone else.
I know my child. She needs 10 hours of sleep at night, and a 30 minute nap. When she gets that, she is an angel. Why do I have to fight my daycare to ensure she only naps for 30 minutes? If THEY let her sleep longer, it is less healthy for her as she won't get a good sleep at night. The the vicious cycle ensues (tired during day--long nap--won't sleep at night). The onus is on the daycare to follow what the child needs, and if the parent knows they need less sleep the daycare should respect that. They are harming my child by letting her nap too long!!

If your child sleeps enough at night, then theoretically, that child wouldn't need a nap on Monday.

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I pay the daycare to watch my child. I am therefore their employer, they are my employee, you would expect they would work with me on this. Yes I can 'fire' them. The thought has crossed my mind; but all of this is a recent development, so it is a definite consideration (though a huge hassel to move them elsewhere...finding spots for 2 at once is never easy).

I am not anyone's employee. I am self employed and provide a service for which you chose to contract me for.

Now, let's be productive. Have you spoken to the center/child care provider regarding this? What was their policy on naps? Is your child promptly falling asleep at rest and sleeping how long?

I will also be honest- MOST 3yo's still need a nap. Daycare is MUCH different than a lazy day at home. They are physically, mentally and emotionally stimulated. That is why we have regulations about the necessity of down time.

3yo's are also challenging. Most parents have dealt with minor issues with their 2yo's. 3's are MASTER manipulators and need much more consistency, and a harder line with rules and routines.

Is your child staying in bed, behaving, wide awake staring at the ceiling or getting out of bed 100x?

[bklsmum]

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Sorry I mis-spoke. It's not about 'forcing' a child to sleep. What I meant was 'not waking a child up when they need to be woken up to ensure they get an optimal sleep at nighttime'. Just because a child will nap for 2 hours doesn't mean that's best for the health of the child. Think about it.

Preschoolers should get 11-13 hours of sleep at night and naps are in ADDITION to that, not included per the National Sleep Foundation. They also suggest a nap of 1-2 hours per day for ages 3-5.