Daycare Nap Schedule - UPDATE Not Freaking Out

JessAnnJ · September 2013

My 8 1/2 month old just transitioned to a new room at a large daycare center. I was speaking to one of the teachers today and she told me that the nap schedule is 11-1:30 and 4-5. They do not have to nap, but they can't play either so they are either in their crib or in a high chair. This sounds crazy to me. That's a good chunk of the day. I already wasn't impressed when I found out that they watch the my baby can read video (we do not let her watch tv). Is this even remotely normal. I'm stuck. We have been on a wait list for another place and we will most likely have a spot in November but we won't know for sure until next month and I'm not sure what to do until then. Im freaking out...can you tell? The thought of my active baby being forced to sit in her crib or a high chair with no toys for 3.5 hours a day is very upsetting. It seems lazy on their part and I'm just wondering if this is in any way normal.

UPDATE - so I talked to the teacher this morning who told me that the thing about not being able to play is not correct and they will not put her in the high chair. Nap time is 11:30-1:30. If she doesn't want to take a nap then they will take her out of her crib and give her quiet toys to play with. So I still am not a fan of the whole ten minutes of a baby can read video thing, but I am no longer freaking out. The teacher talked to the director after I spoke to her and the director assured me as well that Cecilia will not be forced to nap and will be allowed to play and that if I have any concerns I should talk to her or the teacher I spoke to this morning. She said the person I spoke with last night is new/temporary and she sometimes has a hard time conveying information to parents. I will definitely be logging in frequently to see what she is doing today.

Thanks for all of the responses.

aglenn · September 2013

No, my day care does naps on demand in the infant room. I would not like that at all.

jwthoms1 · September 2013

I don't even like that my 3.5 yo watches some TV at daycare. I would FREAK if my 8 month old was watching TV. The nap thing doesn't bother me as much. Shouldn't your baby be asleep during nap? I worry more that its not enough nap time. Don't they still take a 3rd nap at that age?

JessAnnJ · September 2013

I'm not sure what is normal for daycare schedules. But, 2.5 hours just seems like a long time. Then they are only up for 2.5 hours before the one hour nap. She was napping on demand in her prior room.

financialdiva · September 2013

No, babies nap on demand in the infant rooms up to 18 months.

No TV either.

When does your daughter nap? If its during those times, or will hold off until those times maybe it will be okay?

I would talk to the director ASAP and express your concerns.

Hoping a spot at the other school opens soon.

sadie+w · September 2013

I'd be out of there immediately. 3.5 hours per day of just sitting in a crib or high chair? No way.

shannm · September 2013

First, they seem like really odd nap times for a center. I think if they are not by demand, they tend to be a bit earlier. I wouldn't want my baby sleeping at 4 to then completely upset a bedtime routine.

And why in the world would they force them into a chair or crib?

JessAnnJ · September 2013

Thanks for all of the responses ladies. I really didn't like the tv thing, but I figured it was only a very small part of the day so I could handle it until she gets in to the other place (we've been on the wait list since I was about 8 weeks pregnant and my daughter will be 9 months old on the 27th). But when I add that to this I almost lost it when I was talking to the teacher. I knew they went down for a nap at 11 and 4, I just didn't know how long the first nap was. My husband just got on a plane today for a work conference out of the country and won't be back until Friday. I don't have the time off to spend at home with her until I find a new place, I seriously want to cry about this whole situation. The guilt of working is enough, but to add this on. Ugh! My plan is to talk to the main teacher tomorrow and make sure I didn't misinterpret something. I repeated it back so I doubt that will be the case. My husband insists that a talk to the director but I'm not sure what that is going to accomplish due to the extent of my problems.

tbmadeamistake · September 2013

I agree that the TV and scheduled naps at that age is odd. My center goes all the way up through kindergarten and I don't think they have a TV in the building. Naps were on demand until C moved into the Tiny Tots room (around 14 months), but they let her adjust on her own time so she had plenty of time to get used to the new system. I would definitely look elsewhere.

However, I also don't think that a month or two of this is going to irreparably damage your LO. Throw her off her curve a bit, yes, but she'll adjust. Try not to feel guilty about it and know that you are doing the best you can to find her better care. GL!

jf198400 · September 2013

No this is not normal at all. Most centers nap from 1-3 starting in toddlers around 12-15 months. Since it sounds like you are stuck, can you request for Dd to go hang out in the younger baby room if she does not sleep during the full naptime? Also I can't imagine how it makes sense to have a nap from 4-5, seems like some kids would be getting picked up then, it must be very disruptive.

emberlee3 · September 2013

That does not sound normal, and I would not be ok with either of those things. DS's teacher in the older infant room gently nudged them to be on the same nap schedule (4 babies), so she could schedule a time to take them outside each day. I have never heard of a daycare center enforcing naps/quiet time for babies, and I have never heard of a daycare center showing videos to babies.

shakinros · September 2013

No way, not normal. My DC does scheduled nap time in the toddler room but DD just started her transition there. She's 13mo old. And the scheduled nap starts at 1130 but the toddlers can sleep as long as they want. She's been doing well with just one nap a day - if she wasn't, she'd be able to stay in the infant room longer.

I'm sorry you feel stuck for now! I hope another solution comes up very soon.

preggersin2011 · September 2013

Until 18 months they should be able to nap on demand. In fact I think it is required by law in some areas. They shouldn't be forced to do a unified nap until 18 months. I know LO's room watches some tv every few months for a 'treat' on a rainy day and I asked LO to not be included.

financialdiva · September 2013

So glad it all worked out for you! What you described sounds like what DS1's old daycare would do. It was the older infant room (mobile to 14 months) and they start trying to get the babies on the nap schedule you described to prepare them for the toddler room (where there is a scheduled nap time). But they too were flexible and would allow them to nap at different times if needed.

JJ_13 · September 2013

Honestly, 11:30 sounds REALLY late for an 8 month old to start it's first nap of the day. That's the craziest thing in your whole post to me. It's a sign that they know very, very little about infant sleep. I know nap times in daycares are hard, especially during the first year... but yikes. THat means that a child who gets up at 6:30 would be kept up for five hours. Good graciuos.

JessAnnJ · September 2013

The situation is less than ideal. But atleast I do not feel the need to pull her out immediately. I loved her first room, and to be honest I didn't expect her to be at this center this long. I have been on a wait list for another center since I was 8 weeks pregnant which is also crazy. So hopefully we will get word next month that she has a spot at the other place in November. In the meantime I am going to call a few places. Going in to the morning I wasn't sure if I was even going to leave her there today. I am just glad to be out of panic mode.

laurakaz13 · September 2013

aglenn said:

No, my day care does naps on demand in the infant room. I would not like that at all.

This for my DD's infant room as well. Feeding and sleeping were on demand. Lights were on at all times and babies were never confined unless they were being fed solids, but then only until they were done eating.

JWSchwarz · September 2013

What does the place you're on the wait list do for naps?
Also, I was on a wait list for ever...I called to check in every few weeks so they knew I was interested and it definitely helped get us in.

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Daycare Nap Schedule - UPDATE Not Freaking Out

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