What is your nap policy?

We understand how crucial sleep is for young children’s growth and mood, so we have a structured nap/rest period each day that follows NYS (New York State) childcare regulations and is tailored to the age group. Infants will nap on their own individualized schedules (they sleep as needed, according to their unique routine – we’ll coordinate closely with you on that). Toddlers and preschoolers generally have one scheduled nap/rest time after lunch, typically in the early afternoon. We provide a clean, comfortable crib for each infant and a cot or mat for each toddler and preschooler. We dim the lights, play soft lullabies or white noise, and create a calm atmosphere to help children relax. Teachers help soothe the children to sleep by patting backs or sitting nearby for comfort.

We require all children to at least rest quietly during the nap period, even if they don’t fall asleep, as quiet time is restorative too. If a child isn’t able to sleep after a certain period, that’s okay – we won’t force it. Instead, our teachers will offer them some quiet activities so they can stay calm and not disturb their friends who are sleeping. For example, a teacher might set up a quiet corner with books, puzzles, or drawing for a preschooler who’s awake, or gently rock an infant who isn’t sleeping so they still get downtime. The idea is every child gets a chance to recharge, according to their needs.

We follow any specific instructions you have for naps as much as possible. For instance, if your toddler naps with a special blanket or stuffed animal, we’ll make sure they have it. If your baby only sleeps in a sleep sack and not swaddled, we’ll do that. Safe sleep is practiced at all times (infants are always placed on their backs to sleep, no loose blankets, etc., per safe sleep guidelines). We’ll also communicate with you about how naps went – you’ll see in the app exactly how long your child slept. Our nap policy is essentially to provide a consistent, soothing routine that helps children rest, while being flexible to individual differences.