Hello!

My 3yr old son hasn’t had a day sleep since the age of 12 months. His 4yr old sister, 18month old sister and himself all go to bed at 6pm of a night and wake at 5.30am and sleep undisturbed (this isn’t the problem). The problem is, is that when he goes to daycare, his teachers insist on him having a sleep. When he does, he wont go to sleep of a night time till 10.30-11pm, even if it is only a 20min nap, and still wakes at 5.30am the next morning, It really throws his routine as he needs his sleep, but he doesn’t need a sleep in the day, and never has one at home. I have written to the school about it, explaining that it only hinders him, and they always reply thinking they know best. I am his mother, and know it doesn’t help him. It only makes him cranky the following day as I have to keep him awake then when he is clearly tired to get him back on track with his routine. Any help would be so appreciated.


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  • I would have a good and open chat with the Manager of your sons pre-school


  • It is disgraceful they won’t listen to you, take the matter further, after all mother knows best.


  • If they won’t respect your wishes, you need a new daycare. Not all 3yo need to nap. Our kindy has quiet time which allows the kids that want to, to sleep, the others just get to relax and do quiet activities.


  • honestly i would be changing schools, this is rediculous, you are the parent. i completely appreciate where you are coming from. miss 3 if she even has a 10 minute nap we are in for a big problem that night.


  • Can you ask them if he can just have ‘quiet time’? My little girl stopped her day sleep at 2 and if she has one, ends up still up at 10pm. At pre school, they still make her sit or lay down on a cushion but give her a book to read. That way, she is still chilling out but not having a nap. A few others do the same thing and it works well…..
    I’d make an appointment with the school (the principal if you are getting nowhere with the teacher) and state your request. I can’t imagine they would undermine you in person (well, we hope not).


  • i would put him somewhere else. just saying


  • Go straight to the top to voice your concern and what you want.


  • They can’t force this, i would tell them to stop


  • I would tell the school /daycare you do not want your child to have a nap and keep firm on it speal to the manager of the centre abput your concerns hopefully you can sort something out maybe even if he sits in another age area while the kids in his have a nap


  • I am curious as to whether he goes to day care because you work. I was a stay at home mum and at times thought it might be a good idea to have my son in daycare, but he had terrible sleep problems , and once I started work in daycare I realized nap time didn’t suit every child , but it was expected by staff. I now realize how damaging it would have been to my son as he would have become a problem to the way the centre operated, Remember he is your child and you know his sleep patterns better than others , so stand your ground his well being is formost.


  • My dealings has always been they will fit in with my routine and what I want!they should be assisting what u want not telling you that’s terrible! I would be speaking to the director or changing schools which I have done and my kids where so much better for it !!! It’s stressful enough going to work and leaving then they shouldn’t be making it harder


  • At my sons daycare they never make the children go to sleep, especially if the parents request they dont. they give them quite time to read a book or whatever. Maybe go to the daycare and talk to them or think about changing daycares?


  • find a preschool/daycare that will respect your request. I am at the other end of the scale, our son still has a day sleep but this year at daycare they are discouraging sleeps (i know its to get them ready fro school) good luck!


  • Speak to the person in charge of the room or your child’s ‘focus teacher’.. Make sure they understand and if they understand where you’re coming from and still insisting on making him nap then I would consider moving centres.


  • Speak to the centre director. You are the parent, YOU are the one that knows best! I would be explaining them that it is causing a disruption to th rest of the family and that YOU are not able to go to sleep until he does. Good luck


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