How dare this woman question my nap policy!
I am curious about everyone's thoughts regarding their nap policy.
A bit of background. I currently have 3 full time day a week toddlers in my care along with my own son. All are 12-16 months. I also will have another toddler starting 3 days a week in July and I keep my 5th spot open to my part timers (I have one who comes every Wed and 2 other families that work on call so I usually get notice by the Sunday before what days they come and I am fine with that).
My one on call mom is fabulous. So considerate. Her daughter who is 13 months however is well... lets say at naptime she wakes my entire house. Typically she is here 1 day a week and lately its been half days. Arrives at 12 picked up by 4. This little girl doesn't just cry at naptime... She SCREEEEECHES like a banshee and no matter what room she is in, how many white noise machines (yesterday I had one in the bedroom she was in and one outside the bedroom door) she woke up all 4 other kids. Mom is fully aware of this situation and every time she picks her up apologize profusely. I told mom yesterday if it happens again next time she is here I am calling the emergency contacts and having her picked up.
Anyway when mom picked up yesterday she had her sister in law with her. I was trying to talk to the mom about her daughters screeching and how afternoon naptime 1-3 pm is a MUST here and I cannot have this child waking the entire house. I have 3 full time families who are ALL commuters and want their children to have proper naps in order to spend time with them in the evenings before bed. This sister in law jumped in asking why do they have to nap 2 hours? That when she looks after dcg she usually goes only 45 mins and is "just fine" Good Lord! I tried to compose myself and asked this sister in law: "Have you ever looked after 5 one years olds at once? Ran a program with them and worked 10 hour days with NO break?" she didn't respond so I continued "Well naptime is MANDATORY here for 2 hours every afternoon, all my FULL TIME parents want it and some also nap for 1 hour each morning too. I need that break every afternoon to clean up for sanitary reasons and to prep my snack and activities. Again, she had no response. I also think day care mom was a tad embarrassed.
Have you ever had your naptime questioned? What was your response?
I am supposed to hear from dcm on Sunday about the days for next week and I am thinking of saying to her "I am bothered by your sister in laws questioning my nap policy. I am not a licensed centre but do follow the Day Nurseries act which states 2 hour nap/quiet time up to age 44 months. If you have any issues with my nap policy than please let me know but any group setting requires a 2 hour break in the afternoon and if that isn't working then maybe we aren't a good fit".
Thoughts? Thanks in advance :-)