When babies and toddlers start at a new daycare facility there may be some separation anxiety until they get accustomed to their new surroundings and caregivers. Even after this initial adjustment, naptime may still prove to be a difficult time without you.
Here are some tips for helping to adjust your child’s sleeping habits for napping at daycare:
1. Set a napping schedule
Get your child on a nap schedule that corresponds with the time that they will be napping your Orlando daycare facility. If you get them accustomed to napping at 1:00 p.m., for example, they’ll feel drowsy at 1:00 p.m. when it’s time to nap at daycare. It is suggested that your child gets enough sleep for several days before the transition to daycare so they won’t be exhausted and more emotional and insecure.
2. Work with your Orlando daycare
Has your child figured out the nap routine at home and does well with it? Give your daycare teachers a list
of dos and don’ts; keeping in mind old sleep props (i.e. feeding to sleep or rocking to sleep) and asking them not to go back down that road.
Things to include:
- order of their mini nap routine
- they should be falling asleep (preferably being put into their crib awake and falling asleep independently)
- pacifier or no pacifier?
- swaddle or sleep sack?
- what to do if they have a short nap and are still tired
3. Replicate the home sleeping environment
Does your child have a favorite lovey or blanket? Allow your child to take a familiar comfort item to the daycare facility for naps, such as a stuffed animal, a blanket or a parent’s sweater that your child can cuddle as they fall asleep.
Remember that even with these tips in mind, there will be a learning curve in the beginning. Your child will take a week or two to adjust to the new environment, routine and people. But consistency and offering them sleep before they get overtired will be the key to a successful daycare napping experience.
Kids & Company offers so much more than the typical Orlando daycare. Free hot meals, free PM transportation, after school care until 7pm, and we even have the option for Saturday and night care at our Curry Ford location. With three locations around Orlando, there is a
convenient location for you and your child. If you have any questions about our
programs, including infant care, childcare,
VPK, or after school programs give us a call at (407) 227-1015.