Transition to Toddler Room

itsmyturn2

So I got a note today from daycare saying that in a month they were moving Spencer to the toddlers room. I don't know why but this is kind of freaking me out - I am SO not like this normally but I think this pregnancy is making me an emotional mess. Anyway, I digress..

My main concern is the switch to a single nap and the fact they go outside twice a day. So when your child made the switch how did they do? How long did it take for them to get use to a single nap? Spencer can barely walk with shoes on and now they want boots for the snow! Did your child develop much more quickly once they were with the bigger kids?

 Thanks for indulging my craziness!

chihuahua26

Toddler room and he's not even a year old yet? DS is in the oldest infant room where they try to get the kids to take one nap. However, they let him take as many naps as he needs but just keep the food and play schedule the same hoping he learns to take only one nap a day. Maybe they'll do that for your DS?

itsmyturn2

They are going to switch him in a month - so he will just be a year old. It seems really soon to me. They don't have a "older infant" room, although there are 4 kids right around his age, so they should!

I'm going to talk with the director tomorrow - it just seems so soon to me. I can't help but wonder if they need the space for another incoming baby.

F1tnessG1rl

I have heard that some daycares have their toddler room have kids aged 1 - 2 years old. I'll bet the teacher will pay special attention to your DS so it should be okay. He may even like being with the big kids and learning how to do things like them! I am trying to get my 13 mo old son into a daycare that has their room set up like that. I would LOVE for him to get  2 hours of outside play and learn to be on more of a schedule with eating and napping! This other school also only has 1 nap. My son takes 2 naps now. That would be a tough transition!! Bless those teachers that help teach during the transition!!

JenGK

DS switched when he was about 14 months -- the criteria for his switch was at least a year old and walking.  He wasn't really good at walking when they moved him, but he has since picked it up quite quickly.  The switch to one nap was actually easy, and I was really worried since he is a horrible sleeper.  I think he actually sleeps better in the toddler room since it is a time where everyone is down and quiet, rather than the on-demand napping and playing of the infant room.  He'll sleep from 12:30 to 3 now, when before he would maybe sleep for an hour and a half or so over the course of the day.

His switch was over a 2-week period.  He would go visit for a hour each day at first, which got progressively longer over the period.  If he needed more time, they would have stretched it out -- but once he got over there, he realized they had much better toys and never looked back. 

kim_and_tony

DD switches to a room just like that next week.  They even eat at little tables instead of high chairs.  I'm sad because my baby is gone. 

DD walks well, but doesn't say buy one word.  I'm hoping she picks up some words over there.  I guess it feels good to know other schools do this transition early too.

tiff16

They usually make the switch because of enrollment and staffing.  I would definetly talk to the director about your concerns.  I would love for dd to move to the toddler room but she struggles with one nap. 

beb4beb

My DD is so much happier in the toddler room because she loves that bigger kids do more stuff so she tries to do it to.  I've noticed that the more she is with older kids the more she learns because she wants to be big so much.