Quote Originally Posted by Samantha33 View Post
Hello Ladies,

I have a contract and handbook. I've included naptime in my schedule but have nothing in the contract and it needs to be in there I feel. I was wondering what you ladies do? and how should it be written?
Just curious....why do you feel it should be included in your contract, and what specifically did you want to have in your nap time policy?

I don't contract it because I don't think it's necessary. During interviews parents ask me where their child sleeps. I explain that they sleep in the daycare room or upstairs in my kids rooms if they are light sleepers. I go on to explain that they must provide a playpen and I provide a set of bedding for each child. I go on to explain that if a child needs a morning nap then they have one upstairs and that I have everyone on the same afternoon nap time schedule. I do not go on about nap time being compulsory, it can come across as harsh and I don't think it is productive. When the child gets older and if they start to nap less then I will reaffirm to parents that if they don't nap that is fine but it is quiet time and everyone goes for a lie down. I'm not going to make it a big issue because I feel that it becomes a big issue for the parents and some will then have a tendency to make it a huge ordeal later on because I set myself up. I also don't think it's a good idea to say nap time is 1-3. This will always fluctuate depending on the days activities and the dynamic of the group. If parents ask I always say that nap time is typical from between 11:45 and 12:30 and most kiddies nap for 2 1/2 - 3 hours, or whatever it is at that time. I see no need for it to be in the contract if it does not effect the parents, and really it doesn't. If there are differences in the child's nap routine then it is discussed with the parents to keep them up to date but that's it. The only time it would make sense to mention nap time is a contract would be tough light a no pick up time window.