How do I tell my son's daycare that he needs a nap?

Question

My daycar provider just puts all of the kids in front of the tv and lets them lay down for quiet time, but my 2 year old is used to a nap by himslef with nothing on. His sleep schedule is completely messed up and he is really cranky. He was so tired last night that he crashed about six and was up again at eight. That is his normal bed time and then he wouldn't go back to sleep until almost eleven last night! This is really getting out of hand! HELP

Answer 1

YIKES! I have a day care in my home and nap time is the most important time of the day, for me and the kids LOL. You need to talk with your provider and tell her your wishes. Tell her you want your child to be placed in a bed out of the TV room during rest time. If she isn't willing to cooperate with you then you need to find another child care provider. I tell all the parents of the kids I watch that all the kids will be on the same sleeping and eating schedule, it's what works best for me and the kids. I could understand her not wanting to work with you if you were asking for something totally outrageous and off schedule, because if she's like me it's just her and she has to be able to set the schedule for the day so she can get everything taken care of, but sleeping in a bed is not an off the wall request, in fact I would think it would be expected. Bottom line, ask her to put him in a bed, if she won't, find somewhere else and think about reporting her to DHS. I have the TV on occasionally for the kids when they need a little chill time, but I would never in a million years have them fall asleep in front fo the TV. That, to me, would be a big red flag that she's not keeping the best interests of the kids in mind. If she's so lazy about nap time, what else will she be lazy about? Good luck.

Answer 2

That ridiculous that your childcare provider just puts your child in front of the TV for quiet time. This should be a time where she reads them a book, sings them a song, turns off the lights, and plays soft music in the background. You need to tell her/him plan out that your child needs a nap, NOT TV time. He needs a quiet place to sleep. That it is messing up the rest of his schedule because he is missing his daily nap. I would tell her/him that if things don't change you may have to find someone else to care for your child.

I wouldn't trust my child with anyone that was to lazy or under qualified to put the children to nap professionally and correctly. The first post was right, you really should consider switching childcare providers. You child deserves the best, even with nap time.

Good luck, and I hope your son gets a nap soon - I know exactly how you feel when it comes to a tires toddler! Have a great day!

Answer 3

It sounds like you need to find a much better daycare. What kind of daycare would not have nap time? If the kids aren't getting naps, what else are they not doing? This is a siren going off, I would strongly suggest finding another daycare.

If you don't want to switch, why can't they just have your son lay down and nap in another area?

Answer 4

As an in-home daycare provider and mother I understand this dilema...what I do (because i have ages 2-5 currently) and they all have different napping needs, is turn on one 30 min. public television show (Caillou is on during our time) that they get to watch while I get lunch cleaned up and them settled down. After that the TV goes off and I turn on classical music and everyone MUST lay quietly for 45 min. My older boys that generally do not nap must lay down for that time but I let them have a toy car or something to occupy them but they still have to be quiet to give the younger ones a chance to get to sleep. After 45 min I let the older ones get up and color or do playdoh in the dining room and use whisper voices until the younger kids get up. This works really well for me and the kids all get their nap needs met. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Just tell them flat out.. My son needs to have a nap in a room with no distractions, or it messes up his schedule at home.

You're the parent, you make the decisions. Don't forget that you're paying them.. just tell them. And if they don't cater.. find another daycare that will.
I wouldn't put up with that. That's why I took my son out of daycare to stay home with him.

He had a morning nap.. he always had a morning nap .. that was the way it was. They had afternoon naps at the daycare. My son was getting overtired and wouldn't sleep as long.. I wasn't happy.. they wouldn't change.. I pulled him out.

Answer 6

At 2 years old they should take naps...not sit in front of a TV!! You could ask if he could be put in a different room (dont know if you use a in home daycare or a center) for his nap time....you are paying for their service so whatever requirement you have for him they should follow through....or get a different daycare

Answer 7

I suggest you find another daycare. That is ridiculous them just popping the kids in font of a TV for a "nap" time. Sounds like they are using the TV for a babysitter.

Answer 8

Try a new daycare provider. Or you can tell the manager that your son needs a nap and ask if there is a place for him away from the t.v if its the t.v thats being disruptive

Answer 9

A2 year old definitely needs a nap,at least two hours.I have a 2 year old,she takes 3 hour naps.Their brain needs to relax.So talk to the person in charge and tell her everything you are telling us.If nothing changes,get your child out of there.It already says things are not being done correctly.

Answer 10

Explain to the daycare that he needs a nap with no distractions. If this is not possible (some daycares do not have this), switch daycare.