Need Nap Help!

[Big Hearts]

Hi Guys, I am new to the hole daycare thing. Just opened last month. For a month now I have wondered how to get the kids down for a nap? My son who is one will go down with out a fuss. But I have one 2.5 year old who wont nap (hee parents didnt put her down when they signed up so now she wont nap, I also have a 13 moth old. Her parents say she sleeps like a dream at home no fussing nothing but at daycare she cries, and screams, turnes red and this will go on for 20 ins or so. She even keeps up my son. I would like to know how everyone gets their daycare down for naps. (also I have my daycare in my basment and dont have a sepret room for naps I just pull out playpens and nap mats.)
Thanks Everyone:)

[apples and bananas]

I find it so difficult to nap in one room. I can't take more then 3 full timers because I only have three bedrooms. I don't know how people do it!

I always make my intentions clear inthe interview process. Kids sleep here between 12 - 2 at min. If they get into this habit at home before they start then it will be an easier transition for them.

Once they're in their play pen that's where they stay for 2 hours at least! In the first few weeks I'll continue to go in and place them on their back to remind them it's night night time.

After that, once they've adjusted to the new situation its "have a good nap, I'll come get you when nap time is all over" And away I go. If I have to turn off the monitors to maintain my sanity I do!

Use white noice, fans, dehumidifiers. I'll be honest... I used a tv last week playing Finding Nemo in order to get my screamer to sleep. And... it worked. I'll stop that later, but for now it works.

Good luck! Hang in there. We all know how stressful it can be when we don't have our quiet time. And how horrible the afternoon can be when the little ones aren't rested.

[kidlove]

Well, first off, I always nap the younger ones in their own rooms in pack n plays. (infant to almost 2 yrs) once they hit two years or a bit over, they are ready to follow the "nap rules" lay still, stay quiet and stay there until all are awake. Once they are old enough to do that, they will use a nap pillow and sleeping bag and sleep on the floors (usually in the bedrooms) I have had as many as 4 sleep in one room before. (older ones) for about a year, I have been using bedroom for ALL the kids to nap, but before that, I only used the bedrooms for the babies and used the living room for the older ones, had as many as 6 sleep in the living room. Just found lately, I can enjoy my home and do all cleaning and get more done if all the kids are esleep in the bedrooms rather than out in the livingroom. Your biggets hurdle will be to get ALL sleeping during nap, after that it really is a matter of control. (and learning certain personalities) you have to figure which ones can and can't sleep near others. as far as having them ALL sleep in the same room...you may be attempting to bite off more than you can chew and may realize it will be much easier to utilize the bedrooms for nap time only, in order to have them separated and all get a good rest. Good Luck to whatever you choose, nothing is impossible, just may be more difficult. :)

[Crayola kiddies]

I have me daycare in my basement too but for naps I used my bedrooms upstairs ... One kid in each room and I put them in and shut the door .... For the 2.5 yr old ... She is old enough to understand ... Put her in a play pen and tell her it's nap time if she screams or cries I would go in with my mean face and say go to sleep. For the younger I'm sure he is screaming because it's a new situation and it should get less and less as the days wear on... Put him down first to give him a chance to cry it out ..... If you can put the kids in your bedrooms that will help you out cause they won't wake each other up and you will get a longer more peaceful break.

[Momof4]

I have all 5 children sleeping in 2 rooms. I find blackout curtains and routines to be my two secrets. We go from busy, hectic mornings to a nice lunch where I read a story to them once they all sit down to eat and then to circle time for 1/2 an hour where they are all (hopefully) sitting and winding down. Then I let them play for a few minutes while I set up the beds and within 15 minutes to 1/2 an hour they are all 5 asleep. They know how our days transition from the minute they arrive to the minute they go home and routine is very healthy for children. We have different activities and field trips every morning, but from lunch time to naptime I keep it consistent and really believe that's the secret. Busy to winding down to quiet to sleep.