Finding a Daycare That Values Naps: A Sleep Consultant’s Guide for Austin Parents
🐘 Sleep is one of the most critical aspects of a child’s development, yet it’s often overlooked when selecting a daycare. Many families focus on curriculum and location but later find themselves frustrated with how their daycare handles nap time. As a sleep consultant, I’ve worked with numerous families who were unhappy with their daycare’s nap environments, schedules, or policies. Recognizing how important rest is for children, I took it upon myself to contact child development centers (CDCs) and daycare centers in Austin, Texas, to learn more about their approaches to naps.
This guide covers the questions I asked, the answers I received, and what you should look for when selecting a daycare that values sleep as much as you do.
How to Evaluate Daycare Nap Policies for Optimal Sleep
To ensure your daycare supports your child’s sleep needs, ask these essential questions when touring or speaking with daycare staff:
What is your nap schedule for different age groups?
Are nap rooms separate from play areas, or is the environment adjusted during naps?
How dark are the nap spaces? Do you use blackout curtains or sound machines?
How do you handle children who have difficulty napping or wake up early?
Do you follow parent-provided nap schedules or have a set schedule for all children?
When do you transition children to a one-nap schedule?
What happens if a child doesn’t nap during nap time?
How do you ensure children who wake early don’t disturb others?
Daycares and Child Development Centers in Austin: Nap Policy Reviews
⭐ Bright Horizons Family Center
Infants: Nap rooms are separate from classrooms, mostly dark with sound machines. Caregivers follow family-provided sleep routines and will pat or rub to help babies sleep as requested. The infant room accommodates children up to 15 months and is aligned with their developmental and educational needs. If a two-nap schedule is preferred, they will accommodate it. Infants sleep in cribs.
Toddlers: Transition to one nap typically occurs at 15 months, depending on the child’s developmental readiness. Naps are from 12:30-2:30 PM on cots. If a toddler wakes up early, caregivers will pat or rub as requested to encourage additional sleep.
Notes: Staff is highly accommodating and prioritizes individualized schedules to align with each child’s needs.
🐘 Sweet Briar
Toddlers and Up: Naps take place from 12:00-12:30 PM in a darkened classroom with a radio for noise. Each child has an individual mat. A designated nap teacher provides support by patting or rubbing children who wake up. Early risers are entertained quietly to avoid disrupting others.
Notes: Small class sizes allow for personalized care and attention.
⭐ Barton Creek Child Development Center
Infants: Nap schedules are adjusted to parent preferences, such as a nap from 9:30-11:00 AM. Nap environments are dark with blinds down and sound machines. Infants transition out of the infant room around 12 months. Infants sleep in cribs
Toddlers: Naps are from 12:30-2:30 PM on mats with pillows, blankets, and a sound machine.
Notes: Staff aims to minimize crying to prevent disruptions and ensure a calm environment.
🐘 The Goddard School
Infants: Rooms are darkened with shades, and white noise machines are used. Caregivers rub or pat infants as needed to assist with sleep. The infant room accommodates children up to 13 months, depending on how crowded the toddler room is. Nap schedules follow parents’ preferences, and the environment is tailored to align with their educational needs. Infants sleep in cribs.
Toddlers: Naps take place from 12:30-3:00 PM on cots. The staff encourages quiet during nap time but cannot guarantee there will be no disruptions. Around one year, children are transitioned to the toddler room with parental consent.
Notes: Caregivers are very accommodating and considerate of developmental needs.
⭐ Guidepost Montessori
Infants (Nido Room): Sleep is on floor beds with personal sheets that are washed regularly. Lights are dimmed, and soft lullabies are played. Parents create nap schedules for their infants, and caregivers will pat or rub to help infants sleep. The infant room accommodates children up to 16 months. If parents prefer a two-nap schedule, it will be followed unless the child shows signs of needing to transition to one nap.
Toddlers: Children transition to one nap (1:00-3:00 PM) on small, slightly elevated cots when ready. Nap environments are medium-light, and naps are not forced; if a child does not want to nap, they will not be made to.
Notes: Sleep plans are highly customizable, and the staff is very detailed and thoughtful during phone consultations.
🐘 Mama Melli
Nap Schedule: 12:30-2:30 PM
Environment: The room is transitioned to nap time by darkening the lights. There is no separate nap room. They sleep on cots.
Support: Caregivers assist children in falling asleep if needed.
Notes: Friendly and informative staff during the phone consultation. This service is only for children aged 18 months and older.
⭐ Rocking Horse Academy
Infants: Parent-directed nap schedules in cribs. Rooms are partially darkened with sound machines.
Toddlers: Transition to one nap (12:00-2:30 PM) on cots by 12-18 months.
Notes: Flexible and developmentally aligned care. Rooms are dark, but not completely.
🐘 Child’s Day
Infants: Naps are aligned with individual needs, with a transition to one nap around 12 months. Rooms are darkened with sound machines and are referred to as "wombs" because they aim to replicate a calming, womb-like environment. Infants sleep in cribs.
Toddlers: Use cots for naps. The nap environment includes dimmed lights, white noise, and gentle patting if needed. Early risers are engaged in quiet activities. The toddler room includes a wind-down period to help children transition to nap time. If a toddler has trouble napping and is crying, caregivers will walk outside with them to help them enter a calmer state. Toddlers sleep on cots.
Notes: Emphasis on fostering independent sleep while accommodating individual needs.
⭐ Why Sleep-Friendly Daycares Matter ⭐
Choosing a daycare that prioritizes restful sleep is critical for your child’s growth, mood, and overall well-being. A well-rested child is better equipped to engage in activities, develop cognitively, and stay healthy. Sleep plays an essential role in their ability to focus, learn, and regulate their emotions throughout the day.
When researching daycare centers, don’t shy away from asking detailed questions about nap policies and observing their nap environments. The insights you gather can make a significant difference in your child’s daycare experience. Ideally, you want your child to be able to nap both at daycare and at home, without feeling the need to choose one over the other. If your child isn’t sleeping well at daycare, you may find yourself needing to pick them up early, which can disrupt their routine and create inconsistency. This inconsistency in sleep patterns makes it difficult for children to get the optimal rest they need. While some variations are unavoidable, researching how a daycare accommodates naps will help you feel more informed and equipped to take the next steps in supporting your child's sleep. It ensures your child’s sleep environment is aligned with the one they experience at home, creating a smoother transition between both spaces.
Get Expert Help on Daycare Transitions and Sleep
If you’re navigating daycare transitions and need personalized advice on aligning your child’s daycare and home sleep routines, I’m here to help. Together, we can ensure your little one gets the rest they need—both at home and in daycare.
If you're curious to learn more about me and Habitual Sleepers, dive into my interview article. I spill all the details over on brainzmagazine.com 🌙☁️