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Original poster

Childminder Clubs - Help re: NAPS

34 replies

HellyBelly · 15/09/2005 13:49

I'm after some advice again please.....

My mindees naps are at different times of the day which is causing problems when wanting to go out. (My own ds (2½) hasn't had naps for ages but is a great sleeper at night. I'm trying to re-introduce an afternoon nap as I think he needs it with everything that's going on since becoming a childminder).

Mindee 1 (23 months) - requested by parent that he has his nap between 11 - 12.30

Mindee 2 (2½ yrs) - isn't ready for a sleep until after lunch

If I continue with this routine when the 2 mindees become more or less full time, the routine will be:

First mindee arrives 8.30am
Second mindee arrives 9am
9-11am: play/go out
11-12.30: Mindee 1 - Nap
Lunch
1.15-2.45: Mindee 2 - Nap
2.30pm - Mindee 1 - collected
3pm - School Run
5pm - School Mindee - collected
5.30pm - School Mindee - collected
6.30pm - Mindee 2 - collected

Doesn't really give much time for all to play at the same time (i.e. messy play) or attend groups/outings etc.

As I'll be having mindee 1 every day from October (was just 2 days), I don't think the mum will mind me changing the nap routine for him, so he goes after lunch. I've tried it today though, and am worried that because he was tired, that's why he didn't eat much lunch??? (not sure as never really eats that much anyway - he likes junk!)

Any experience in changing nap routines??? Does it settle down and work well after a while??

Not sure really what I want people to say, just some advice would be nice

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katymac · 15/09/2005 14:31

Normally they eat fine - but I don't encourage faddyness (iyswim) and pudding gets put on the table if you have someone who refuses their dinner...and they don't get any...we have rows for a day or two then everyone eats

Original poster
HellyBelly · 15/09/2005 14:28

do you find they eat ok if just been woken up?

btw, i don't think you're mean!

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katymac · 15/09/2005 14:26

Lunch is at 12 come hell or high water....I'm a bit anal about mealtimes I'm afraid....

Only under 1's are let off....everyone else is woken (unless they are poorly) - I'm a bit mean

Original poster
HellyBelly · 15/09/2005 14:17

Katymac - do you have a set lunch time or do you feed the kids depending on when they had their naps? I've only got 3 toddlers and am keen to stick with them eating together for table manners etc. Just wondered what you do!

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Original poster
HellyBelly · 15/09/2005 14:06

At least if I stick with the morning nap, I may be able to get my own ds to nap with the other mindee after lunch. I really think he needs it as he's getting more tired now he has all these kiddies to play with and also, his behaviour is worse in the afternoon!

Thanks guys!! Got loads more questions in my head but will save those for later. Off to grab a cup of tea whilst there's peace and quiet

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Original poster
HellyBelly · 15/09/2005 14:04

Thanks Katymac, was worried about them missing out on things like toddlers as I thought this would be expected. Having said that, I could schedule them once or twice a week like you say as all my contracts are changing anyway so the 2 toddlers will be with me every day (well, one not on a Friday). I'm so used to having to go pretty much every day so that each mindee got to go at least once a week. That was when one was here Mon - Wed and the other on a Tuesday and Thursday. I suppose the group thing will be easier to manage from October when they start pretty full time.

Sorry, was just trying to work it all out as ALL 4 of my contracts have just been revised and my head is all over the place trying to work it all out!!!

You can tell I'm new to all this can't you

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Original poster
HellyBelly · 15/09/2005 13:58

I have facilities to let 2 nap together (maybe try and get my ds to nap on sofa or something)

That's what I meant, trying to get them to nap together. Today won't be a problem though as the mum of mindee who normally naps in morning really isn't that fussed, just said that the 11 - 12.30 is what they usually do. We've done things like toddlers in the past which is 10 - 12 and by the time we get back it's time for lunch so he's napped after lunch. She's fine with this but he does get very tired. Maybe this will get better if he has a new nap time for all days???

OP posts:
katymac · 15/09/2005 13:58

Naps do normally settle down....but often to just before lunch rather than after (so they sleep better at night) - I've got 5 going down after lunch somedays (each put down 10 mins apart)-

We never have time to go out etc 'cos of naps -but we go oncce or twice a week anyway

RTKangaMummy · 15/09/2005 13:52

hi do you have facilites for them to nap at same time?

If so is there any way of slowly blending them together AFTER asking the parents first

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