A nap time in general from 12:30 to 3:30 is great and most children do get tired and cranky and do benefit from a good nap or quiet time. Some sleep one hour, some two or even three hours and some don’t sleep at all. It all depends on the child and the child’s age and other factors.
I strongly believe infants, toddlers and all children should be treated with repect! They are all individuals with good little souls having different wants and needs. It is really cruel to force a child to stay in place on a mat head down for two or more hours when they can’t, or do not want to sleep (no one would do that to their child at home!) -- It’s just as bad as being forced to stand in a corner for a long period of time... every day. Two or more hours is a long time not to be allowed to do anything, and for a small child, it is a lifetime, and to me it’s just plain ridiculous. I would not select a preschool that forces children to take a long nap, or where they have to lay there on a mat staring at the ceiling. Why in the world would anyone subject their children to this?
A long waiting list and high fees does not mean it is necessarily a good school because of it. (I believe there is more like a shortage of pre-schools). As a parent ask yourself -- do I, or would I force my child to take a nap like this at home? I think not. Discipline has nothing to do with it -- the preschool should be flexible and address the needs of each and every child -- after all, I heard it said, they charge a lot and should therefore provide their little customers with outstanding customer service.
By all means, give all kids a chance to take a nap, but if after 45 minutes, of laying and staring, the child can simply not sleep, have a Plan B! A second room with quiet time activities available, including mats and you may find that the child will play quietly or even eventually fall asleep after all. I really hope, if indeed, this is their nap time policy, this preschool will become more humane when it comes to nap time for the children’s sake!
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