How long should a 4 yr old nap? Are there laws/regulations?

Question

My son's preschool/daycare has 3 hours in the afternoon for nap/rest time. It seems like too long. My son is up until 11 pm every night. The school said it is a requirement but I don't know that 3 hours is required or needed?

Answer 1

I have never heard that and I think 3 hours is too long anyway.  What do they do if the child doesn't want to sleep?  I think it sounds more like lazy daycare workers than something that is required by law.  

Answer 2

You are the parent, you make the rules. When you are paying someone to care for your child whether it be a private nanny or a daycare center, you are their boss. You are who THEY work for. They should be treating each child as an individual with individual needs. Not all kids are the same. I realize the need in a center for routine and all but they need to be flexible as well when the situation calls for it. I would tell them that you don't want your child napping that long and that it is causing bedtime issues and if you have to that you will find a new center who will treat your child as an individual.  

Answer 3

I have NEVER heard of any law about how long a child can nap,but 3 hours seems a little much for a center/preschool. Even when naps happened in kindergarten (at some schools they still might) they only lasted an hour to 90 minutes but not 3 hours.

It could be why your son is up till late hours- he's not tired because they sleep too much at school.  Sounds to me like its just he preschool teacher being lazy in the afternoon and wants the 3 hour break for her instead of doing something constructive with the kids.

Answer 4

From what remember..there is a requires a 1 hour rest time but the children are not required to sleep.  That's insane to have a 3 hour nap time.  Kids that age don't need naps at all.

Answer 5

wow, you should be telling the daycare how long you want your child to sleep for. Do they want them to sleep a long time so they can get cleaning done, or are they just being lazy? Your child should probably sleep a little bit as you will want to spend time with him when you both get home and not have to put him straight to bed. I would think 1.5 hour nap and bed at 9 would be a healthier time plan. Ask the day care to wake him up after 1.5 hours. He could help them clear up, set up some toys for the afternoon session, or simply just have some one on one time. I don't think there is any set sleeping times for children as long as they get enough hours, but I do think that small children should be in bed by 10pm at the latest. On average he should have about 12 hours at the age of 4. Put your foot down with the daycare, you are paying them to look after your child. Also do you have a governing body for child care in your county/state? Don't feel bad if you call them, they work for the childrens best interests. You can make the call in confidence. It sounds like they need to pay a visit, just to check the daycare is towing the line. It usually just puts them back on track

Answer 6

I would find another day care at the age of 4 most kids don't even take a nap. i think 1 hour is plenty if they go all day.

Answer 7

This the reason I took my child out of childcare one day a week. In Australia, kids start school at normally 5, and they go full days, so I think by 4 they shouldn't need any day sleeps.

My kids haven't had day sleeps since they were 2, and they sleep wonderfully of a night.

3 hours is far too long for any parent that doesn't mind their child having a day nap. I would be telling them that you would rather your child do quiet activities and not sleep. Every childcare center I have worked at, kids aged 3-5 that still sleep have an hour and a half max