CM Club: Sleep for a 2 yo

[PositiveOutlook]

A 2yo that I have minded since October last year has developed a terrible habit in the past 2 weeks. When he gets dropped off in the morning he screams. The first time it happened he screamed non stop for over half an hour but now it is down to less than 5 minutes, I manage to ignore it and he is getting better but my dh is getting sick of it and all of this child's behaviour and wants me to give notice as this child's behaviour is affecting all of my mindees and leaving me stressed out everyday.

I have noticed that he looks exhausted when he gets dropped off so I have started to ask mum at what time he was up and the answer varies from 5.30 to 6.15am it was only when mum mentioned one morning that he went to bed early the night before that I think I might have found the problem. His'early' bed time? 8.30pm!!! I have told mum that he needs about 12 hours sleep in any 24 hours but she just says that he takes himself to bed when he is ready. Last night is was 8.45pm. WTF is wrong with some people? He is always ill with some bug or other, has a terrible temper and the attention span of a gnat. But mum obviously hasn't put 2 and 2 together and thought that perhaps his lack of sleep is the problem.

Does anyone have any advice or any websites that I can gather information from for her. This is really the final straw, I am sick of being hit, kicked and screamed at by this child and if she doesn't do something about this then I am definately giving notice.

Rant over....

Are you able to have the child sleep at yours? I fully agree that lack of sleep is a large part of his problem, the other part being that he is the decision maker in his own little life, poor kid!

I don't know whether you need to collect info on the importance of sleep and routine to a childs day-you're a childcare professional and you will know your stuff and explain to the parents! If I was you, I would tell her how difficult it is to work with the child within your setting when the child is not prepared for the day because she is exhausted. Its not fair on the child or the others you look after (and its not enjoyable for you because you cannot do nice things with them because you are having to manage this behaviour)
I would let the parents know that action needs to be taken and maybe give them an example of a good nights routine (or suggest a health visitor to advise- do you have a sure start family centre in your area - they have a wealth of info) I would give 4 weeks for the parents to take charge of this situation and make it clear that if there is no improvement THEN you will give your notice.