Day Care Toddler Sleep Solutions And Surfaces

Sleep is an essential part of a child's development, and toddlers in daycare have different sleep requirements and experiences compared to those at home. Daycare centres employ various strategies to ensure toddlers get adequate sleep, such as adhering to safe sleep practices, providing quiet activities for non-nappers, and encouraging older children to take part in their nap routines. Toddlers typically nap better at daycare due to peer influence and structured routines. However, some toddlers may boycott naps at home during the weekends as they want to spend time with their parents.

Safe sleep practices

Safe Sleep Environment

Daycare centres should adhere to rigorous safe sleep policies to create a secure environment. This includes:

• Always placing toddlers on their backs to sleep.
• Keeping cribs clear of any items that could cause suffocation or entanglement, such as pillows, blankets, soft toys, and bibs.
• Using firm mattresses with tight-fitting sheets in approved cribs.
• Ensuring that the sleep area is well-lit, but not too bright, allowing teachers to monitor the toddlers without disrupting their sleep.
• Maintaining a clutter-free and organised sleep area to promote safety and a calm atmosphere.

Individualised Sleep Schedules

Every toddler has unique sleep patterns. Daycare providers should avoid a one-size-fits-all approach and instead adapt to each toddler's sleep needs. This means:

• Recognising signs of sleepiness, such as eye-rubbing, crying, or fussiness, and responding by initiating soothing routines.
• Allowing toddlers to sleep according to their own schedules rather than enforcing a strict nap time for all.
• Being flexible and understanding that some toddlers may need more time to adjust to a new sleep environment.

Soothing Techniques

Daycare staff play a crucial role in soothing toddlers to sleep. Effective techniques include:

• Partnering with families to understand the comforting methods that work best for each toddler, such as rocking, singing, or using pacifiers.
• Spotting early signs of sleepiness and responding with appropriate soothing methods.
• Using lullabies, soft music, and gentle touch to help toddlers relax and drift off to sleep.
• Encouraging older toddlers to participate in their nap routines to foster independence.

Safe Sleep Transitions

As toddlers grow and develop, their sleep needs change. Daycare providers should smoothly guide them through these transitions:

• Helping toddlers transition from multiple naps to one regular midday nap as they get older.
• Assisting toddlers in adjusting from sleeping in a crib at home to napping on a cot in daycare.
• Encouraging toddlers to make their own sleep-related choices, such as picking a blanket or folding their sheet, to promote independence and a sense of accomplishment.

Emergency Preparedness

While creating a soothing sleep environment is crucial, safety should always come first. This includes:

• Ensuring toddlers keep their shoes on during naptime to be prepared for a quick exit in an emergency.
• Maintaining dim lighting in the room, never making it completely dark, so teachers can easily monitor the toddlers.
• Regularly checking on sleeping toddlers and being alert for any signs of distress or breathing irregularities.

Nap times at home vs daycare

The daycare environment

Daycare centres are required by law to provide a rest period for children in full-day care. This period is usually at least two hours long. During this time, teachers are also able to take their breaks and have lunch.

Daycare centres vary in their approach to naptime. Some centres follow a set schedule, which is helpful for meeting the needs of both the children and staff. Some local and state regulations require childcare providers to implement a schedule. Other centres adopt a baby-led approach, catering to each child's personal sleep needs.

In infant rooms, babies sleep at different times, and there is often a lot of commotion and bright lighting. In toddler rooms, children usually nap at the same time in a darkened room.

At home vs at daycare

Many toddlers nap better at daycare than at home. This is because they find it easier to sleep when their friends are also napping. However, when daycare is closed, parents may struggle to get their toddlers to nap.

Strategies for napping at home

• Tire them out: Prioritise movement, fresh air, and brain work in the morning. A living room dance party, a walk, and some puzzles can help ensure your child is tired by midday.
• Offer naps at the right time: Follow an age-appropriate schedule to make it easier for your child to fall asleep. Toddlers typically need a nap 5-6 hours after they wake up.
• Ensure a sleepy setting: At daycare, children can sleep with the lights on and talking in the background. At home, they will probably sleep better in a dark, quiet, cool room. A noise machine can help to block out any outside sounds.
• Provide a nap routine: At daycare, children follow a predictable routine before naptime, such as lunch, potty, washing hands, and a set song. At home, you could offer a shortened version of your pre-bedtime routine.
• Give it enough time: It can take a week or two for toddlers to adjust to napping in a new way. If your child is still resisting, you could try again in an hour, or offer an earlier bedtime.

Adjusting to daycare

When starting daycare, babies and toddlers usually take some time to adjust to napping in a new environment. While some little ones adapt after a few days or weeks, others may take a couple of months.

Daycare sleepers typically become good nappers, but at first, some babies get less sleep during the day than they would at home. An overtired baby may sleep poorly at night, which can result in nap struggles the next day.

Tips for daycare napping

If your baby or toddler is struggling to nap at daycare, here are some ideas to discuss with their teacher:

• Try an early bedtime.
• Ask about options for your child to take a short nap during the day.
• Ask if your baby can use a swaddle transition, such as a swaddle sleeve sack or a sleep suit.
• Offer to bring a sleep sack from home.
• For babies over 12 months old, ask about bringing a comfort object from home.
• Ask if your baby's crib can be moved away from any commotion.
• Be patient and give your child time to adjust to napping in a new environment.

Daycare sleep environment

Sleep is essential for a child's development, and a good sleep environment is crucial for toddlers to get the rest they need. Here are some tips and insights for creating a soothing and safe sleep space at daycare:

Cribs and Cots

When it comes to where toddlers sleep at daycare, cribs and cots are commonly used. Cribs are typically used for infants, while toddlers may transition to cots as they get older. See-through cribs are often preferred as they allow caregivers to monitor the children easily. Name tags on cribs are also helpful for personalisation and communicating important milestones, such as whether a baby can roll over.

Safety Considerations

Creating a safe sleep environment is a top priority. This includes following safe sleep practices recommended by paediatric associations, such as keeping the sleep area clutter-free and free of any items that could pose a hazard, such as soft toys, blankets, or loose bedding. Firm mattresses with snug-fitting sheets are also recommended. Additionally, ensuring that infants sleep on their backs is crucial to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Individualised Sleep Schedules

Every child is unique, and adapting to each toddler's sleep patterns is important. Daycare centres should avoid a one-size-fits-all approach and instead cater to individual sleep needs. Caregivers should be attentive to signs of sleepiness, such as eye-rubbing or fussiness, and start soothing routines accordingly. This ensures that toddlers sleep when they need to, rather than following a rigid schedule.

Soothing Techniques

Soothing techniques play a vital role in helping toddlers settle down for sleep. Lullabies, soft music, and gentle singing can create a calming atmosphere. Caregivers may also employ techniques such as gentle strokes on the cheeks or back rubs to relax the toddlers and prepare them for sleep.

Room Environment

The sleep environment should be conducive to rest. While daycare centres may not be able to create a completely dark room, dim lighting is preferred. Soft lighting or red lights can help promote sleep while still allowing caregivers to monitor the children. White noise or soft music can also be used to block out external noises and create a soothing atmosphere.

Peer Pressure and Routine

Interestingly, toddlers often find it easier to sleep at daycare when their peers are also napping. This positive peer pressure can work in your favour. Establishing a consistent routine before nap time, such as lunch, washing hands, setting up cots, and dimming the lights, helps toddlers understand that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep.

Comfort Items

For older toddlers, bringing a comfort item from home, such as a blanket or a favourite stuffed toy, can provide familiarity and security during nap time. This can help them settle down and feel more at ease in the daycare sleep environment.

Quiet Activities for Non-Nappers

Not all toddlers will sleep during nap time, and that's okay! Providing quiet activities for those who don't sleep is important. Offering drawing, writing, reading books, or other quiet games can help keep non-nappers occupied while their peers sleep.

Toddler sleep patterns

Toddlers aged between 1 and 2 years old typically sleep for 11 to 14 hours in a 24-hour period, including daytime naps of 1 to 2 hours. This sleep pattern promotes optimal learning and development.

Sleep-Related Changes

There are several sleep-related changes that commonly occur in toddlers. These include:

• A decrease in daytime naps
• Longer periods of sleep overnight
• A decrease in night waking

Strategies for Positive Sleep Behaviour

• Recognise and respond to tired signs
• Use positive and consistent bedtime routines
• Parental presence – use your presence as a safety signal to reduce your toddler's anxiety by sleeping in their room
• Bedtime fading – to reduce night waking in older toddlers, delay bedtime by 15 minutes each night to help them sleep for the right length of time

Transitioning from Cot to Bed

When you notice your toddler attempting to climb out of their cot, it's time to transition them to a bed. This usually happens between 2 and 3½ years of age but can be as early as 18 months. Ensure that your home and bed are safe for your toddler to explore.

Tips for Daytime Naps at Day Care

Many toddlers nap better at daycare than at home due to the positive peer pressure of their friends napping alongside them. Here are some tips to encourage daytime naps at home:

• Tire them out mentally and physically with activities such as a living room dance party, a walk, or doing puzzles
• Offer naps at the right time – typically 5 to 6 hours after they wake up
• Ensure a sleepy setting – a dark, quiet, and cool room can help toddlers sleep better
• Provide a nap routine – a predictable routine before napping, such as lunch, potty, washing hands, and singing a song, helps toddlers transition to sleep
• Give it enough time – it can take a week or two for toddlers to adjust to napping in a new way

Benefits of toddler naps

When it comes to daycare, there are various approaches to toddler sleep. Some centres use see-through cribs, with strict safety protocols in place, such as no soft toys or blankets, and babies sleeping on their backs. Others may use cots or mats on the floor.

Now, let's discuss the benefits of toddler naps:

Emotional Regulation

Parents, caregivers, and child development experts agree that a well-rested child is a happier child. Research has shown that toddlers who nap have better emotional regulation. When toddlers miss a nap, they can become more anxious, irritable, and less able to cope with small stressors. On the other hand, a good nap can lead to a better mood and improved behaviour.

Learning and Memory

Naps have been linked to enhanced learning and memory in toddlers. Several studies have found that napping toddlers outperform their non-napping peers in tasks involving language learning, memory, and other cognitive functions. A daily nap gives their brains time to rest and recharge, which is essential during their rapid brain development.

Physical Health

Naps can also contribute to a toddler's physical health. Research shows that children who don't get enough sleep or have irregular sleep tend to have higher rates of obesity. This is partly due to irregular eating habits when tired, as well as lower energy levels for physical activity.

Nighttime Sleep

Naps support better nighttime sleep. When toddlers are overtired, their bodies can produce more of the stress hormone cortisol, making it harder to fall and stay asleep. By ensuring they get adequate rest during the day, you're promoting a healthier sleep schedule overall.

Quiet Time and Independence

Even when toddlers outgrow their naps, it's important to replace them with structured quiet time. This allows toddlers to have some independent play, learn to entertain themselves, and give both children and parents a chance to regroup and recharge.

Frequently asked questions