[amanda_p]

If your child cant nap at daycare, what do you do? Drew cant sit on his mat for 2 hours and just not make a noise. If he starts making noise then they send him to the office and then he cant sit there for too long. I just dont know what to do. We have tried taking a stuffed animal from home for him to sleep with, but it just isnt working. He sleeps fine at home. Any help would be appreciated.

[Mykidsmom]

OK, I have never done daycare so I guess this may sound like a dumb question to some, but his he expected to sleep 2 hours straight? Is this in the morning or afternoon?
My first thought is maybe he is to old for a 2 hour nap.

Has this just started? Is there something new going on in his surroundings or at home?

[britfish]

Grace is also a terrible sleeper at daycare. After being in the infant room for about 8 months she finally started sleeping good. Of course 2 months later she moved to the toddler room and we are back to square one.
I wish I knew the answer, we just get her to bed really early at night and if I get home early enough sometimes I put her in for a late afternoon nap at home.
Does he get punished for not napping or just removed from the room to not disrupt the other kids?

[amanda_p]

Drew is almost 3, and he cant sit there and be quiet, so he ends up getting loud or trying to wake the other kids. He then gets in trouble. He started biting about 6 months ago and if he doesnt take his nap it seems like he gets worse because he is tired and then starts getting angry at the teachers and other kids. I just dont know what to do. I wish they had a room for the kids that dont take nap so that he could play in there and not disrupt the other kids. Their nap time is from 12:00 until about 2:00.

[becky26]

Our son is almost three. He is in daycare only until noon (three times a week). But I am definitely seeing that he is slowly outgrowing his naps. IF he sleeps, he sleeps very tight - about two hours. But he seems to have a harder time to fall asleep now. I don't think you can expect three-year-olds to take a nap in the afternoon. Some may, some may not.

[Annabell]

Hey --

I think I may have weighed in before. I believe you were told that 2-hour naps were state-mandated?

Again, I say, "Nonsense."

It is not up to your child, or you, to "meld" into the so-called culture of the care center. Their job is to accommodate him, and YOU. That's what you're paying the big bucks for.

When DD could not sleep at her Montessori pre-school, her teacher sat quietly with her and taught her to sew. (BTW, she now gets all A's or A+'s in conduct, at age 11).

If these people are unwilling to work with your child's needs, you need to find a better place. No wonder he bights -- I would too, if forced back down on a mat, with nothing to do, if I could not sleep. I just might bight somebody myself, and I am nearing 51! (Of course, I am, and always have been -- just ask my mother -- a hellion).... But still....

[amanda_p]

Drew sleeps at home, but not at school. It just doesnt seem like he can sleep with other kids in the room.

[MominPA]

Adam doesn't nap at daycare, but their "rest time" is only an hour from 1 to 2. He is in the older toddler room, ages 3 to 4.

They are allowed to stay on their mats quitely and play as long as they don't distrub the other kids. Adam is allowed to bring a small blanket and soft toy (Mickey Mouse). He usually just lays there and plays with Mickey and his blanket. Sometimes he might take a cat nap for 15 mintues. He also doesn't nap at home. He only will fall asleep if we are driving to the mall, which is about 40 mintues from our house during the weekends.

I remember when Josh was in daycare. If he wouldn't sleep they would bring him to the office and they would do quite activities with him. Some kids don't need to nap 2 hours everyday at that age. I knew when Josh did he was getting sick.

[Annabell]

EEEK! I mispelled BITES. Excuse me.

[Kasey]

Alek at 2 1/2 has been back and forth with naps now at school. Thankfully though our school just moves the kids who don't nap up with the older kids who have "quiet time" like sitting on mats reading, doing some coloring and arts and crafts. Just more quiet activities. They are very flexible about it.
I would talk to the school about alternatives. They have to have something else in place esepcially if they have 3-4 yr old's in that school, many kids don't nap by that age.

[westcoast]

Please don't flame me. I just want to weigh in what it is like to be a preschool teacher in the 3 yr. old room.

Out of 24 children, maybe 1 or 2 don't nap well. The majority of the children in my classroom NEED a nap. My parents tell me that they are better rested in the evening and they have a harder time with them going to sleep if they don't nap at school. We have lunch at noon and by 12:45 (after diapering, potty, etc...) the lights are off. We do not turn the lights on until 3. For a restless child, I will sit with them, rub their backs, read a story very quietly, etc... If after that, I cannot get the child to be quiet (they don't have to sleep but must be quiet as to not to disturb the other children), I will then take them to the office.

Also, during nap is when we, as teachers, are taking our lunch. They need to be on their mats due to ratio rules.

If we have a child who will not nap and will wake other children, I will take them to the front office. It is not fair to the other children.

Good luck and I do hope you find a solution.

[aimeemk]

Rheagan had trouble napping in the first 2 weeks. At home takes nap without a problem. The teaching assistant started rocking her to sleep, which is how I used to get her to sleep. Now she sleeps. They are not required to sleep, but Rheagan is 2.5 and would be awfully cranky and miserable after we picked her up.
I was worried they would not find a way to help her sleep. My sister owns a daycare and said that she even has assistant's that will lay down next to the child's mat to help them sleep.

I hope it gets better, have you had a conference with the teacher and director to try and figure out an alternative solution to him napping?

Good luck!

[tchr_678]

How long have you been going? It took about 4-5 weeks before Connor (also 3) would sleep. Now, he sleeps almost daily, but it's a struggle at school -- not at home, just at school. I think all the stimulation is really hard for them -- SO many toys to play with. Plus, I know mine didn't completely trust his surroundings yet. It takes time ....

[BlissMom]

Wow it sounds like he can't relax to go to sleep there. Poor little guy. You said he sleeps well at home...What about working from home so he can be with you and in his home?

[pequele]

you say Drew sleeps at naptime at home, but is naptime at home noon -2 also? Or is he on 2 different schedules?