4 Must-Ask Sleep Questions as You Prepare for Daycare

“What Should I Ask at My Child’s Daycare Center?”

With families getting fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and parents returning to work in the office again, more parents are sending their little ones back to daycare for the first time in a long time.

Even though I am generally a happy-go-lucky type of mom, I cannot deny that I was very curious about my son’s sleep environment at his daycare and asked the administrative staff the questions that I prepared before entrusting him in their care.

In order to create the best sleep environment that meets your child’s needs without sounding like a pushy parent, communication is the key.

I strongly recommend parent(s) to set up a conversation via either a phone call or an email exchange with your daycare’s Administrative Director before your in-person daycare tour. Ask any and all questions that you feel are necessary to get a complete and comprehensive picture of what the daycare can offer in the sleep department. Then with that information in mind, you can ask more detailed questions when you’re taking the in-person tour at the daycare.

After all, you are the best advocate for your child’s sleep quality. Especially since your child can’t speak for him/herself.

 Here, I’m going to give you four questions that you need to ask the daycare center before your little one starts his/her new journey there.

Question 1. What does the sleep environment look like for daytime naps? 

For safety reasons, most daycare centers are not allowed to close the curtains or shades during nap time. They might dim or turn off their lights to make the room a little darker; however, it will never be similar to what it’s like at home, where you keep your child’s room as dark as a cave for naps.

But, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to optimize your kid’s nap environment.

You can confidently ask the daycare, “Is there any corner space that might be a little darker?”, “How about a spot where there’s no direct light above?”, “Is it possible to move my child’s nap spot to somewhere that’s away from the entrance or the noisy hallway?”

Question 2. What is the nap schedule for this class?

Nowadays, most daycare facilities print out their daily schedules for parents and caregivers. If you don’t think the schedule will work for your little one, then please ask if there’s anything that teachers can do to get your child to nap at a different time. Another useful tip is to bring your own printed schedule. Not only will that help the daycare center to better understand your baby’s sleep needs, but they will also further respect you for being on top of managing your baby’s sleep schedule.

Question 3. What sleep props can I bring for my child?

The third question you should ask entails what kind of props you can let your child have at the daycare. Sleep props include but are not limited to sleep sacks, swaddles, white noise machines, lovies, your baby’s favorite stuffed animal, etc. Feel free to ask, “Can you turn on the white noise machine next to my child’s crib/cot?” or “Will it be okay if she naps with her sleep sack instead of having the blanket?”

If the teacher comes back and says no, then you can ask if there’s an alternative prop that they will allow. For example, your daycare center might not allow noise machines with power cords, and then you can ask if it would be possible to use a battery-powered portable noise machine instead. Most times, there are workarounds that exist, which can result in beneficial compromises for both the daycare center and your child’s needs. All you have to do is ask.

One thing I’d like parents to stress is that if your child doesn’t use pacifiers at home, then please ask the daycare not to offer him/her pacifiers there.

Question 4. Can my child nap in the other classroom?

At most daycare facilities, the toddler class usually takes children who are between 12 months old and 24 months old. They only offer one midday nap, which makes it very difficult for kids who still need two naps a day. After missing the morning nap, young toddlers will get overtired by the time teachers turn off the lights for the midday nap around 12:30PM. Then, they might not be able to get a restorative nap. Which means they come home super tired and grumpy, and that in turn might lead to nighttime wakings and early wakings the next morning. Not a good cycle!

In this situation, parents should ask if the daycare can let their toddler nap in the infant classroom where most babies still need two naps. Always emphasize the importance of daytime sleep to your child’s healthy growth. There is no need to rush them to transition to one nap a day just to accommodate the daycare’s schedule.

Remember, you know your child the best and you are his/her biggest supporter. Working with your child’s daycare to optimize your child’s sleep quality there will tremendously help him/her enjoy playing and learning, continuing to build a brighter and bright-eyed future.

However, if things are already falling off track after your baby’s started at daycare, do not worry. I am here to help. Schedule your free 15-minute consultation today and let’s talk more about ensuring healthy sleep at daycare!