Well, we aren't forcing children to sleep because if they fall asleep then their bodies need sleep. If they can sleep through lots of noise as the other children wake up and the curtains are drawn to let in the light then they need the sleep. I don't shake children awake, I let them wake naturally. I have a 6 year old grandson who has been joining us on his PD days and he lays on his cot in the other room reading books and playing with puzzles, etc. but if he falls asleep for part of quiet/nap time then he needed a little rest. That's my policy.

However, that being said, my naptime for the children starts at 12:30ish and if they are still asleep after 2 1/2 hours (which is right now) I start turning on the lights in the adjoining room and preparing the snack and that's enough to wake the first few children. Then the rest wake naturally, but by 3-3:15. I wouldn't want them to sleep any later than that or it may affect their evening sleep. But they NEED the afternoon nap.