Hello,
I watch children in my home. Right now I have a very young group, except for a 3.5 year old. All the kids go down to nap at 1:00. I have kids napping in all the rooms, even the playroom. Up until recently, the three year old would not always sleep, but quietly rest in her bed. Lately, she has been very noisy in bed. She is not crying, but singing and talking very loudly. I really have no where for her to go and play since I have all the rooms occupied with napping babies. I have been watching her for a long time and good friends with her family, I am also watching her baby brother. What would you do? Any tricks to get her to understand she must be quiet during nap time??
I have a daycare myself with little babies from 6 weeks old to 4yr old. For the ones that dont want to nap as you have, we do a few things to help pass the time. We read books together, watch a movie quietly, or create crafts together, or go outside to play in the back yard to get all that energy out. Works here!
I did daycare for a long time. It's hard when there is just one little one not taking a nap anymore. I would tell her that she has to lay quietly on her cot till "rest" time is over. stress that it is rest time. not singing etc. and that if she can't lay quietly and rest she has to sleep. if you want her to have them give her some books or turn on a movie.
get a "sleep trainer" clock. I've just been looking for one, here are some that I found:
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_11?url=search-al...
I think it will help my son stay in his room until it's time to get up or I go in to get him.
In my home daycare I have 3 kids sleeping in one room so that the playroom is open for those who do not nap anymore. I just make sure that the kids can not see each other, which gives them there own space and keeps the temptation to fool around away. Is there any way that some of your kids could share a room since they seem to be on the same schedule?
The children that do not sleep are only able to do quiet activities. They are allowed to play with blocks, puzzles, read books, or play quiet board games with me after I have my 20 minutes of quiet!
Can you give her a place to play quietly? Read books, play puzzles... Where do you go during this time? Can you make it a time for the two of you to do something together? I would try to talk with her and tell her it would be very helpful. Make her feel like she is doing something the other kids dont get to do. Maybe she will be quiet if she thinks she is being treated differently, special.
In my state it is illegal for a daycare provider to force the child to stay in bed if they don't nap. They must provide age appropriate activies during nap time for children that do not sleep. A provider would loose their license if this was reported.
This is the law for the State of Washington:
"170-###-###-#### What is the requirement for napping and resting?
(1) You must offer and supervise a rest period of at least thirty minutes for the child;
(a) Five years of age and under who remain in care more than six hours; or
(b) Showing a need for rest.
(2) You must not require or force children to sleep.
(3) You must provide a space, away from the napping children, for quiet play for the children who don't require sleep."
It is your responsibility to set up your facilities so that you can meet the need of all children that you have taken on. If you don't have enough space to provide for a quiet sleeping space for the "nappers" and for a quiet play area for the "non-nappers" you have taken on too many children! Make sure you check your state's licensing requirements and ensure that you are in compliance.
You can try to occupy her with "quiet activities" such as drawing, play dough, puzzles or reading her a story. If even that is too much noise, see above...
Good luck!
How many kids do you have? I also have a home daycare and have many that nap as well. Some days I will put as many as 3 in 1 room. 1 in a playpen, 1 in a bed and 1 on a crib mattress on the floor (I have some kids parttime, so not all the same kids are here every day). I have a room darkening shade and a fan on, I just dont put them all down at the same time. At least 1 is asleep and because the room is so dark, they really dont see each other, so it isnt a problem. My husband works shift work and sometimes is still sleeping when nap time starts so I have to put more than 1 in a room, or I want 1-2 bedrooms empty so I can fold laundry or clean while they nap. I also use this time for quiet time for the 3 and 4 year olds so they do puzzles, look at books or watch tv/movies. I also need to have some quiet time as you likely do as well. Does the 3.5 year old need to nap? Have you talked with her parents about napping? She may nap or be quieter if she is in a darkened room by herself, or at least be quiet for 30 minutes, then her reward could be a movie or something that she would find special without the younger ones. Even a special treat might work, something that younger kids cant have such a sucker.
