NAPS - can I ask those of you who use a nursery...........

[looneytune]

Hi everyone

I was wondering if you could help me out. I'm a childminder and have had an Ofsted inspector recently tell me that she wasn't happy I had children napping at the same time. The reason we do this is because we're out in the morning at group, park, blackberry picking, walks etc or doing activities at home then it's lunch then naptime. If a child needs to nap sooner then they are more than welcome, of course. It's just that with my ages, this works pretty well.

Can I just ask if your nursery:

a) lets them nap when they decide they are tired
b) have a set nap time for them to sleep

Also, what age is your child?

Reason I ask is that what they do in a baby room is probably different to what happens when they are older? (not sure as don't know much about nurseries).

And if you don't mind, would you be able to let me know WHERE they sleep? Do they sleep on mats or in a cot and are they on the ground floor? Also, how many adults to number of children?

Reason for the 2nd part is because I apparently have put the children in danger by having all 4 sleeping upstairs, the inspector thought only 2 should be up at a time (I think safer for them all to be in same place - my fire escape is via one of the bedroom windows if upstairs).

I just wanted to see what information I could get on here as the inspector kept referring to nurseries and yet I'm sure most of my friends used to say they tend to sleep at the same time?

BTW, this is all relating to care since Sept 08 - all linked to EYFS.

TIA

We've used a nursery since dd was 2 and she napped at the same time and in the same room as the other children. Sounds harsh - I'd be more than happy with what you do with your children.

DS is 22 months so in the 1-2 year old's room. Nap time is 12-2pm, on mats on the floor, but obviously they don't all fall asleep and wake up at exactly the same time! If a child needs a sleep earlier, they'll put them in the baby room (in a cot). There's a quiet area in their room with cushions etc so they can rest there too if needed.

Babies nap when needed, but I think they try and guide them into set times.

Baby room and 1-2s are on the first floor, all the older kids are downstairs. Only one exit.

I think the way you do things sounds fine, an after lunch nap is normal for the age range you look after and if you can get them all to sleep at the same time, that's brilliant. As a parent, I would be totally happy with that.

When my DD was in the baby room they let them sleep whenever they nodded off.

In the first toddler room (12-18months) they introduced fixed sleep times, after lunch. They also offer morning naps when the child needs it.

Second toddler room (18 - 30 month) they just do one nap, all at the same time after lunch.

The baby and first toddler room are in the first floor, fire escape are stairs at the back of the house. They also use the stairs to bring the LOs into the garden.

Our nursery just had Ofsted around, there were no changes in the sleeping habits.

Nothing different to add, just more support. DD's nursery has routine of:
Baby room (to 13m) - nap in separate room in cots, or in prams if don't like cot (like my DD!) whenever like
1st toddlers (to 2) - nap in truckle beds on floor in separate room, all together after lunch (around 12.30)
2nd toddlers (to 3) - big room with a divider so those who don't nap can play separately and those that do nap all together on matresses on floor after lunch (around 12.30) - nap for as long as like, or for as long as parents ask; I've just asked for DD's sleep to be limited to 30mins so they put her down later than the others so they all get up at the same time.

Inspector seems quite ridiculous to me - must be better for everyone to have a routine and I don't see why all napping at same time after lunch is an issue; at nursery I think they do it partly to be organised, partly because after lunch is when they all get tired and partly because none of them would want to miss anything!!

I know you don't do it for your benefit, but it also can't do you (or them) any harm for you to have a bit of a break

My DS is at year 1 in nursery - approx 15 months to just over 2. The babies all sleep on raised mats 12:30 to 2:30 after their lunch. The room is darkened and all 12 children are expected to sleep or rest. I've been there a number of times and it is so peaceful. All the babies drink their bottles and drop off. If a baby wakes earlier than 2:30 they are encouraged to stay on their mats and sing quietly or 'read' a book.
In the baby room the babies slept on demand but the room was never darkened or very quiet. My DS has slept so much better with the less flexible routine.
My DS would never ask to go to sleep unless he was dropping on his feet - but will sleep readily if place in his cot or on the mat at the right time.