1 Year Old Now on "Toddler Schedule"????

I think this would totally depend on the child. My 5yo would have had no problem sleeping on a cot a few inches from the floor since he had been walking since 10 months and knew how to get up and down (whether he would stay there is another question!). My 13mo is absolutely not ready to sleep on a cot. He does everything head first, no hands. The scheduled meal times I would have no big deal with. It's good for kids to start eating on a regular schedule, although it seems like mine eat all day sometimes!

way to young - I completely agree - I would move him or make sure he gets the one year old attention and naps and schedule he needs- go with your gut - its your baby not the centers!

perhaps look for someone to watch him in your home - thats what we do and it allows me control to have what I want to happen happen!

H.,

My kids 4 and 8 mos go to Kindercare. They follow a similar protocal, and yes it is "legal" to use the cots. A lot of the kids actually sleep better on them because the cribs they use are small.

That being said, at my center children are transitioned from the infant room to the toddler room when they are mobile and WALKING, not immediately at 1years old. I would find out if they are looking to move him to create room for another infant in the infant room, or if they really believe he is ready for the infant room. They should be flexible with his naps and snacking and if he really needs 2 naps and to eat more often than the schedule (usually it is breakfast, 9:30 snack, 11:30 lunch, 2:30 or 3:30 snack and another snack around 5ish for the kids who are still there) he probably isn't ready to be moved. Or maybe he can swing into the infant room for a second nap.

The transition really should be based on development not strictly age. Your son may be ready for more stimulus and activity and my enjoy being in the toddler room. I know my 8 mos old is almost walking and she won't be moved into the toddler room at 9mos, even though walking is the basic criteria for being moved, because she is still too young.

Try to keep an open mind when you talk to the center, but if you really believe he needs to stay in the infant room (for developmental/sleep reasons) say so. My daycare director is great at listening and I have gone to her with concerns where we have done things my way and where she has convinced me that what they wanted to do was best.

All 3 of my kiddos were only taking one nap a day (2-3 hrs long) since about 9 months of age... So the one nap a day thing is really no big deal... My question would be how they transition to it. I don't know of any daycare that can be really strict with sleeping schedules of toddlers. By saying that I mean that if he wakes up after 30 min, will they keep him up? If he nods off later, then will they let him sleep?
As for the eating on a set schedule, Do they offer snacks thru out the day... I would ask about how many snacks they offer and at what frequency. If they offer the 2-3 yr olds 2 snacks a day (the usual) do they offer the 1-2 yr olds transitioning to a schedule 2-3 snacks a day, extra juice, and what do they do if your child is a snacker and not a mealer.
I do inhome daycare and know that as a provider you must have some flexibility in your rules for cases of transition and that if a child gets hungry or thirsty that it can be a harrowing time until you learn their cues and follow them. Especially at the pre verbal stages. :-)
Good luck and I hope you find your answers!

My 18 month old still can't make it more than 2-3 hours without a nap, and I see no benefit in trying to make his schedule fit mine. My daycare is family, so I don't have the issues you are having, but he IS only there 2 days a week so I figure what she does there works for her, and what I do at home works for us. Of course, I trust her explicitly so perhaps you do need to talk to them and express your concerns to boost your confidence in them. Ultimately, it's your child!

~L.

Certainly talk to them about it. Anyone who works with young children knows that each child is different and is ready for different stages in their life at different ages. My daughter was 16 months when she started 1 nap a day and was taken out of the pack n play for naps at about 22 months. They may say that they just want to try it, and if it doesn't work out, they'll go back to his regular schedule for awhile.

My son was switched to the toddler schedule at his day care at 11 months (he was an early walker and moved rooms). I was concerned at first about the naps because sometimes at home he would take two. I asked if he showed signs of being tired if they could put him down. It worked for about a week. He really wanted to be in the Big Boy room. I actually felt some relief becaused they helped me transition him to the one nap a day routine.

The cots are legal. The good thing about him sleeping in the cot is he gets a blanket back! Infants are no longer allowd to have a blanket in the crib (per the state). In the cot he can have a favorite lovey with him.

I believe the transition will be harder on you than him. It is so hard to let someone else take care of our babies when we have to work. We like to still have some control over the situation and of course we know our child the best. The center, if a good one, truly has your childs best interest in mind. If they feel he is ready to move to the next room then he should.

One thing that concerns me is the not walking yet. The day care we are at does not transition children to the toddler room until they can walk, and walk well. I would ask about that.

As always if you are not comfortable, seek out another day care.

while I to think 1 is a little young for a strict schedule--I know I worked at a day care that at about 18 months put the kids on a schedule for eating and napping-not that it was always strictly followed but we introduced it at that age-- and they slept on cots (and it is legal), I am not sure if they would be the same kind of cots, but the ones we had were made with plastic frames and sat 2" off the ground, nothing to worry about if he was to role off onto the floor(actually I bought two to have when my nephews spend the night)
My oldest daughter (who is now 9) went to daycare until she was 2 and they had her down on a pretty good eating and sleeping schedule before I lost my job and she stopped going---hope this helps, good luck

I think the state "suggests" that kids be out of cribs and on cots at 1 year old.. If the child falls out of a cot.. no big deal it is just inches off the floor.. but a mobile climbing child taht falls out of a crib can be injured.

My daughter NEEDED 2 naps a day until 18 months.. My son transitioned to 1 nap at 9 months..

Your life will be much better once he takes 1 nap a day.. you will have the morning to do things and your child will be cheerful and not getting grumpy and tired.

Talk to the day care. If you dont want your son moved say so.

I agree with some of the other moms it is your child, and you do have the final say.
However the daycare (if it is a good one) will evaluate him and move him up only if he is ready, maybe they feel he is ready. Most of the ones I know of go half days between the rooms, starting after afternoon nap and then transitioning into full days.
As for the cot I felt the same way (My DD is 3 years now) I thought OMG she is not going to Stay on that cot, but the teachers pat their backs (didn't like the idea of that, but she knew I wasn't going to do it at home). She slept fine.
She moved to preschool and now goes to sleep on her cot with no help, I was just told the other day she hits the cot and is OUT!
Every thing will be fine.
One of my concerns is that he only goes once a week...is it realy worth it?? My Daycare says if you don't come at least 3 days a week the kid doesn't really benefit from the carriculm....maybe someone else could watch him.