Unsure of DC transitioning LO out of the crib...

LollyBug18

Emma starts going to daycare tomorrow for the first time ever. She'll only be there one day a week and the one thing I'm nervous/unsure about is that they start transitioning the older infants to a cot instead of the crib at 16 months to get them ready to move up to the toddler room. I'm not sure how she'll do with that since she may just be getting used to napping at daycare after 4 weeks and then they'll switch her to a cot and throw things off again. Plus we weren't planning on starting that transition probably until around Christmas time. On top of that, Em's still napping twice a day and they only do one nap for her age group. I suspect that to be the least of the worries because she'll be busy playing with other kids and has done wonderfully at other times when her schedule is thrown off for a day. But, I'm just a little nervous that everything combined will make for a bad experience for her, the teachers, or both.

I plan to discuss this with her teacher but I was also hoping to get some insight from you ladies as well. There is a "permission slip" that I have to sign before they start transitioning her so I suppose I could ask that they wait awhile but I would hate to be that parent, plus I don't want her getting to the toddler room in a few months and being that kid that doesn't nap on a cot...

Should I not worry about it since it'll be only one day and keep everything the same at home while allowing the transition at daycare? Should I try to transition her at home along with daycare? Should I ask daycare to delay the transition? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Do you know when your DC will transition LO out of napping in a crib? 

M&M227

I would just talk to them.  If she doesn't seem ready to start using a cot in a few months I'm sure they'll notice and I'm sure she's not the first.  

She might surprise you and do wonderful. 

JavaVino910

I know it's hard not to worry, but just take it one step at a time. See how she does with her naps the first month. It will help you and the teachers decide what is the next best step.

To answer your last question, DD will transition to the next room around 18 months. That is when they start sleeping on cots. I think they will practice in her room a couple of weeks before she transitions. It's hard to imagine DD sleeping on a cot and moving into the toddler room. Time flies!

CarlaAndJames

You'll be surprised what kids will do when they are surrounded by a bunch of other kids doing it. Talk to them about your concerns, but I'd encourage you to let them try. I don't think you need to transition at home too, unless you are ready. Lexi dropped her second nap at daycare long before she dropped it at home. They just act differently there, due to the stimulation and the peer pressure from other kids.

When my DC told me she'd be lying on a nap mat in her next room I almost laughed. They assured me that she'll do it, just like she sits still in a circle and listens to a story now, which I can barely imagine her doing with me!

cvl105

Callie no longer sleeps in a crib at DC. She sleeps on a mat on the floor, as do all the kids in the toddler room.

amberpro

C starts DC in 2 weeks.  He'll be in the toddler room where they nap on nap mats.  I'm weary he'll stay down, but they assure me he will.  The director says you'll be surprised what a one year old will do when they see 10 friends doing it.  

So I'm sending him with a nap mat and keeping everything the same at home.  I'm going on faith that they have seen a million kids over the years and know better than me and my one, lol.  

DreamChaser246

M&M227:

I would just talk to them.  If she doesn't seem ready to start using a cot in a few months I'm sure they'll notice and I'm sure she's not the first.  

She might surprise you and do wonderful. 

Ditto. Daycare just tried it with DS, and he LOVED it.

He naps really differently at daycare than at home. So things that work at daycare don't necessarily work at home the same way. I don't stress about it.

UWgal04

cvl105:

Callie no longer sleeps in a crib at DC. She sleeps on a mat on the floor, as do all the kids in the toddler room.

 Same for my DS. He started 2-3 months ago and I was honestly surprised at how well he adjusted. We thought it would make it easier on us when we went tent camping last month, but he thought it was more fun to crawl all over the tent, pulling stuff out of our bags. Oh well...at least he naps at school. 

KKinATX

Like PPs have said, you will really be surprised at how well she will do.  Just before 12 months DS was moved up into the Young Toddlers room (12-18 mo) and they began napping on mats.  I was very concerned about the transition and talked to the school director to see if we could hold off for a little longer, but ultimately he began napping on the mat from Day 1.  He does GREAT!  I know at home we could never get him to do this but he does it very agreeably at school.  He is totally different at school than at home- I think he is way better behaved for his teachers than for me!  It might help for you to visit the DC during nap time and observe the other kids around her age napping on mats.  And the first time you see your DD do it it will melt your heart- they look so sweet and grown up!  Here's a pic of DS and his BFF at school napping side by side with no problem.  Normally these two are getting into all kinds of trouble so if they can nap side by side on mats I think anyone can do it!

 

LollyBug18

Thanks everyone, I guess I might worry more than I need to since she'll only be there one day a week. But you're right, she does wonderfully in the church nursery once a week on Sundays with her little friends, I'm sure daycare won't be very different.

KKinATX, that picture is adorable! 

62406

DC started transitioning DD and 2 others to cots last week.  DD and another little boy will start their two week transition period to the toddler room on Aug 28th.  I was amazed how well she slept on the cot the first day.  At DC DD has been a 45 minute total nap/per day.  The first day they used the cots she slept for 1.5 hours. I think it helps that DD can see that they are all taking naps at the same time and she isn't missing out on anything.  We haven't noticed any issues at home with her still sleeping in a crib.  Good luck! 

KKinATX

LollyBug18:

Thanks everyone, I guess I might worry more than I need to since she'll only be there one day a week. But you're right, she does wonderfully in the church nursery once a week on Sundays with her little friends, I'm sure daycare won't be very different.

KKinATX, that picture is adorable! 

 

Thanks

LaRue86

My boss just went through this. She thought her son would have a horrible time with the transition. Little did she know that Cot at school, meant no more crib at home. He absolutely refused. I would be nervous about trying to do the cot and newborn at the same time...