2Yr Old Won't Sleep at Daycare

I agree with the prior posts, two year olds are very active and sometimes haven't learned how to calm themselves yet. Changes in their routines really seem to fuel their excitement - read get the adrenaline pumping - from which there is little "coming down" to nap.

What about talking with the teachers/director and asking for a slightly different "schedule" for her since she hasn't been taking to theirs and is disrupting the other kids? (They might be willing to offer some one on one help if it seems like you are asking so she doesn't bother the other nappers.) Maybe she can sit quietly, say after lunch, while the teachers "prep" the other kids for naps. Once the other kids are down, maybe they can sit a read with her or rock her while listening to some music - ANYTHING to NOT let her rock, roll in the cot, run around the room or otherwise get her adrenaline back up. She is probably ready to nap, but when her crib isn't there and she's expected to calm herself, she is instead getting that adrenaline kick to keep going because she doesn't see HER bed/crib/familiar napping area. Maybe if they can help her calm down instead of revving up, they can get her down in the cot while she's still awake, but sleepy.

Another thought - when she moved into the TWOs room did her schedule change? I wouldn't doubt that being out of the "baby room" that she is more active, into new things and trying to keep up with some slightly older kids. This might be "pooping her out" a little earlier too. So if she misses her "window" to nap when she's tired, the adrenaline might already be pumping and it will be harder to get her to sleep. Ask the teachers to keep a closer eye on her for signs of being tired, things you know that are specific to her, and general things like rubbing her eyes, "acting" tired, slowing down or getting cranky.

These "transition time" are always difficult for kids and parents. We kept my kids "lovies" where they could reach them when it was close to nap time. When they started to visit their lovie, we knew it was time to get them down - even if it seemed ridiculously early. It was their silent way of saying, "Hi there my friend. I'm tired of this other stuff and needed to come see you."

Best of luck!

Maybe she can go back to the infant/toddler room for naps. That might help her to sleep and to get the nap into her routine and then maybe she can transition more easily.

I have a home daycare and have sometimes had trouble getting a two year old to sleep when transitioning from a crib to a cot. Some children just like the security of feeling more confined in the crib or playpen. Could the two year old room bring in a playpen or pack and play for naptime and try putting her down in it? Also, ask the teacher to stay near her and gently rub you child's back until she falls asleep. These techniques usually calm a
"disruptive" child. I've always had luck with them. They need to be patient, but firm and before you know it, your child should be sleeping peacefully. You are right, two year olds DEFINITELY still need to nap. Good luck and please let me know if this works.
M..

When my daughter was 2 she did not want to take naps at day care either. She was not overly tired and was not tired in the afternoon so we were not overly concerned with the lack of naptime. The day care she attended was very nice and basically they solved it by taking her into another room (usually the office and she stayed with them during nap time). She helped out at times and other times she sat nicely waiting for nap time to be over. She always had something with her in case she went to sleep or at times she would just go back to the main room for a nap. I think part of her thing was not wanting to miss anything and after she saw that she wasn't missing anything, she felt fine to take a nap.

Here's one trick I have used to help children fall asleep. Starting at the top of her head slowly and gently run your hand down across the side of her face going over her eyes but not actually touching her eyes. It will make her close her eyes and at the same time relax her. All the children here are also allowed to read books for 15-30 minutes before going to sleep as long as they stay on their cots.

I also run a home daycare here in Algonquin. Our two year olds all have their own cots, pillows, blankets. We sit next to our little one's, stroke their hair, rub back and help them relax. We also play relaxing classical music. She'll get it, it doesn't usually take our 2 year olds even a week to make the transition. Good luck!