Daycare.com Forum
Parents and Guardians Forum>Laws For Cleaning And Napping
Clreyes 12:10 PM 09-05-2011
Does anyone know what or where I can find laws pertaining to cleaning toys on a regular basis for a preschool. I also was just told that if my child doesn't nap anymore that by law children have to rest in a quiet area for 45 minutes?? Does anyone know if this is true and if so where I can find something in writing on it please. Thanks and this is a great site to have come across!!
Cat Herder 01:38 PM 09-05-2011
Each State is a bit different so the only way to get a 100% correct answer is to list your State along with a few other details. 
Centers, Home Group Care and Family Home Childcare have differing rules and regs so we would have to know if this is Family Home Childcare, Group Childcare or Center Based Childcare.
Also, it depends on if your provider is licensed/registered with your State as to what rules and regs, if any, she is required to follow.
A straight answer is sometimes really hard to get...even for us providers.
Centers, Home Group Care and Family Home Childcare have differing rules and regs so we would have to know if this is Family Home Childcare, Group Childcare or Center Based Childcare.
Also, it depends on if your provider is licensed/registered with your State as to what rules and regs, if any, she is required to follow.
A straight answer is sometimes really hard to get...even for us providers.
Unregistered 05:48 PM 09-05-2011
I was told this too by daycares and found out in the end it wasn't true by their definition (they were defining it outside of the state's actual definition). My child was at a daycare that didn't require children to lay down for a nap and licensing was there and viewed this and they didn't get written up. The definition of rest period is vague. Most daycares define it as taking a nap or lying on a cot and I found out why. They use this time for their personal break time or paperwork completion time and that's why they're adament about kids in their care lying down to rest. When they get distracted by a child who doesn't sleep during nap, they get pretty irritated because they don't get their paperwork done during work hours. Or they can't sit on this forum and type post replies to their buddies during nap time. Chidren simply need to be having a rest period - call your local licensing agency to find out exactly how that should be defined for your state - even sitting down reading books or coloring quietly at a table is considered rest time in our state - bet you didn't know that! I didn't until a year ago and my child and I are MUCH happier for it. There are rules governing disinfecting toys. From what I gather, most daycares ignore those rules and only really disinfect those toys when there's a major sickness going around like strep or the flu or something like that, otherwise, it doesn't generally get done per the schedule the state sets. Nothing much you can do there, because not a single daycare we've been at it disinfected according to our state's requirements.
blessedmess8 05:28 AM 09-06-2011
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
I was told this too by daycares and found out in the end it wasn't true by their definition (they were defining it outside of the state's actual definition). My child was at a daycare that didn't require children to lay down for a nap and licensing was there and viewed this and they didn't get written up. The definition of rest period is vague. Most daycares define it as taking a nap or lying on a cot and I found out why. They use this time for their personal break time or paperwork completion time and that's why they're adament about kids in their care lying down to rest. When they get distracted by a child who doesn't sleep during nap, they get pretty irritated because they don't get their paperwork done during work hours. Or they can't sit on this forum and type post replies to their buddies during nap time. Chidren simply need to be having a rest period - call your local licensing agency to find out exactly how that should be defined for your state - even sitting down reading books or coloring quietly at a table is considered rest time in our state - bet you didn't know that! I didn't until a year ago and my child and I are MUCH happier for it. There are rules governing disinfecting toys. From what I gather, most daycares ignore those rules and only really disinfect those toys when there's a major sickness going around like strep or the flu or something like that, otherwise, it doesn't generally get done per the schedule the state sets. Nothing much you can do there, because not a single daycare we've been at it disinfected according to our state's requirements.
Just to put your mind at ease, our state doesn't have rules about how often we have to disinfect, but the center I worked at before this disinfected toys daily in the infant and toddler rooms are disinfected daily and the older rooms were on a schedule where each center was disinfected weekly. And if we hadn't had nap time, we coldnt have gotten the cleaning done. Now that I am a home provider, I try to disinfect once a week. Not all daycares are bad!!I was told this too by daycares and found out in the end it wasn't true by their definition (they were defining it outside of the state's actual definition). My child was at a daycare that didn't require children to lay down for a nap and licensing was there and viewed this and they didn't get written up. The definition of rest period is vague. Most daycares define it as taking a nap or lying on a cot and I found out why. They use this time for their personal break time or paperwork completion time and that's why they're adament about kids in their care lying down to rest. When they get distracted by a child who doesn't sleep during nap, they get pretty irritated because they don't get their paperwork done during work hours. Or they can't sit on this forum and type post replies to their buddies during nap time. Chidren simply need to be having a rest period - call your local licensing agency to find out exactly how that should be defined for your state - even sitting down reading books or coloring quietly at a table is considered rest time in our state - bet you didn't know that! I didn't until a year ago and my child and I are MUCH happier for it. There are rules governing disinfecting toys. From what I gather, most daycares ignore those rules and only really disinfect those toys when there's a major sickness going around like strep or the flu or something like that, otherwise, it doesn't generally get done per the schedule the state sets. Nothing much you can do there, because not a single daycare we've been at it disinfected according to our state's requirements.
godiva83 06:09 AM 09-06-2011
I have worked at several large daycare centers as an ECE teacher and later supervisor, I have recently transitioned into opening my HDC, and let me tell you there are regulations that must be met in Ontario regarding sanitizing- and all I have worked with did a thorough job of disinfecting all toys and supplies.
In an infant room sanitizing is to be done daily
Toddler everyother day and mouthed toys daily, diaper area after and BEFORE each use, tables after and before each use, preschool weekly there washroom after each group use tables after and before use, kinder bi-weekly and monthly
You can very easily tell if a daycare keeps up on sanitizing and if the licensing didn't think they were up to par they may not score well or their license may not be renewed. As for naps it is different for each age group, yes each child is asked to 'rest' not meaning sleep on their cots for a certain amount of time, and quiet activities are set up for those early risers. Of course, this nap time is beneficial for all, teachers and kids included. It is a time to regroup, complete daily reports, disinfect, prepare snack, and afternoon activities, while the children are resting supervision is easiest and it allows the teacher to complete needed tasks while keeping all children safe, it also allows ratios to be down and teachers get their well deserved lunch breaks
In an infant room sanitizing is to be done daily
Toddler everyother day and mouthed toys daily, diaper area after and BEFORE each use, tables after and before each use, preschool weekly there washroom after each group use tables after and before use, kinder bi-weekly and monthly
You can very easily tell if a daycare keeps up on sanitizing and if the licensing didn't think they were up to par they may not score well or their license may not be renewed. As for naps it is different for each age group, yes each child is asked to 'rest' not meaning sleep on their cots for a certain amount of time, and quiet activities are set up for those early risers. Of course, this nap time is beneficial for all, teachers and kids included. It is a time to regroup, complete daily reports, disinfect, prepare snack, and afternoon activities, while the children are resting supervision is easiest and it allows the teacher to complete needed tasks while keeping all children safe, it also allows ratios to be down and teachers get their well deserved lunch breaks
Hunni Bee 08:05 PM 09-11-2011
Why is nap-time always looked at as torture to the children and just an excuse for providers to get rid of the children?
If a three-year-old gets up at 6 am, they are going to be out of their mind with sleep by 1 pm after talking, playing, going outside, eating and being in such an intense environment (other 3 year olds) for 6 hours. To not give that child a chance to rest is cruel. And if other children are up playing and talking, that child will find it hard to nap, plus they will try to push past their sleepiness to stay up because they don't want to "miss out". The result is a crying, irritable mess come 4 pm.
That being said, if a child is not tired, no amount of making them lie on a cot will make them be quiet and go to sleep. So its pointless to try and make them do it. All thats going to happen is the teacher will wake the other children by constantly speaking to the child thats not tired. So we compromise. They lie down for 30 minutes so that just in case they are sleepy they can go on to sleep (which happens most of the time) and to allow the other children to drift off without disturbance. Then if the child still isnt sleepy, then they can get up and draw, do a puzzle or some other quiet activity.
Plus, parents expect for the room/toys/restrooms to be clean, paperwork to be done, their phone calls returned, etc. We should not be doing those things while we supposed to be supervising and interacting with the children, nor will most of us be paid to stay after hours and do them. So they are done at nap. I have NEVER gone on this forum while I had children in my care.
Lastly, consider the high-intensity environment of being in an enclosed space with 8-12 young children all day. Even with the most well-behaved group, its physically and mentally draining. And since most of us (especially those of us who work at centers) do not have a perfectly behaved group and are operating at max ratios, its even more intense. You want us to have a break, believe me. I don't even get a "lunch break" where I go away from the children and do what I want. My break is a quiet, dim room with calming music playing and not having to talk or supervise 10 children separately. Thats all I ask for...but I do ask for and need it.
If a three-year-old gets up at 6 am, they are going to be out of their mind with sleep by 1 pm after talking, playing, going outside, eating and being in such an intense environment (other 3 year olds) for 6 hours. To not give that child a chance to rest is cruel. And if other children are up playing and talking, that child will find it hard to nap, plus they will try to push past their sleepiness to stay up because they don't want to "miss out". The result is a crying, irritable mess come 4 pm.
That being said, if a child is not tired, no amount of making them lie on a cot will make them be quiet and go to sleep. So its pointless to try and make them do it. All thats going to happen is the teacher will wake the other children by constantly speaking to the child thats not tired. So we compromise. They lie down for 30 minutes so that just in case they are sleepy they can go on to sleep (which happens most of the time) and to allow the other children to drift off without disturbance. Then if the child still isnt sleepy, then they can get up and draw, do a puzzle or some other quiet activity.
Plus, parents expect for the room/toys/restrooms to be clean, paperwork to be done, their phone calls returned, etc. We should not be doing those things while we supposed to be supervising and interacting with the children, nor will most of us be paid to stay after hours and do them. So they are done at nap. I have NEVER gone on this forum while I had children in my care.
Lastly, consider the high-intensity environment of being in an enclosed space with 8-12 young children all day. Even with the most well-behaved group, its physically and mentally draining. And since most of us (especially those of us who work at centers) do not have a perfectly behaved group and are operating at max ratios, its even more intense. You want us to have a break, believe me. I don't even get a "lunch break" where I go away from the children and do what I want. My break is a quiet, dim room with calming music playing and not having to talk or supervise 10 children separately. Thats all I ask for...but I do ask for and need it.
Countrygal 11:22 AM 02-02-2012
Originally Posted by blessedmess8:
Just to put your mind at ease, our state doesn't have rules about how often we have to disinfect, but the center I worked at before this disinfected toys daily in the infant and toddler rooms are disinfected daily and the older rooms were on a schedule where each center was disinfected weekly. And if we hadn't had nap time, we coldnt have gotten the cleaning done. Now that I am a home provider, I try to disinfect once a week. Not all daycares are bad!!
Ditto here. I don't think our state certification has any rules, but I disinfect all toys that were played with weekly - and yes, I know what they've played with. They are all in bins and if even one toy has been out of that bin they all get disinfected.Just to put your mind at ease, our state doesn't have rules about how often we have to disinfect, but the center I worked at before this disinfected toys daily in the infant and toddler rooms are disinfected daily and the older rooms were on a schedule where each center was disinfected weekly. And if we hadn't had nap time, we coldnt have gotten the cleaning done. Now that I am a home provider, I try to disinfect once a week. Not all daycares are bad!!
itlw8 01:52 PM 02-02-2012
I have no idea what your state regulations are but Missouri clearly states all children under school age must be provided with a place to lay down and rest. If after 1 hour they have not fallen asleep they should be let up and provided with quiet activites.
So yes in Missouri the state says your child must lay down for a nap. If they do not sleep they can get up in an hour. no where does it say I should make a child sleep or make a child stay awake.
So yes in Missouri the state says your child must lay down for a nap. If they do not sleep they can get up in an hour. no where does it say I should make a child sleep or make a child stay awake.
Clreyes 01:06 PM 09-15-2011
Thank you for all the responses. I appreciate one and all taking the time.
I live in California and it is a licensed day care. I did call the State licensing office that handles the preschool my DD attends and there is no Law stating a child has to nap and there is NO quit area that is manditory. They have a PC code that actually states a child should not be forced to nap. I in no way shape or form have an issue with my child napping but she does not want to and gets very upset when she was being put in that situation. She also knows if she is tired she can ask to be put down to rest (which she actually did yesterday and feel asleep) As for the cleaning, I was surprised to hear from the State that there are no laws pertaining to cleaning! But the person I spoke to was shocked when I told them they only cleaned 2 times a yr and she said they need to use common sense in regards to that. I personally took it apone myself to start what I call a 911 Emergency Crew which is a parent volunteer group that will come in same day of a contagious infection and clean toys and class rooms. Since my questioning about the cleaning all the teachers have been more then willing to start cleaning the toys and taking pro action to keep the toys safer when it comes to cleanliness. Thanks again and thank you to all the wonderful TEACHERS and Home Day Care providers.
I live in California and it is a licensed day care. I did call the State licensing office that handles the preschool my DD attends and there is no Law stating a child has to nap and there is NO quit area that is manditory. They have a PC code that actually states a child should not be forced to nap. I in no way shape or form have an issue with my child napping but she does not want to and gets very upset when she was being put in that situation. She also knows if she is tired she can ask to be put down to rest (which she actually did yesterday and feel asleep) As for the cleaning, I was surprised to hear from the State that there are no laws pertaining to cleaning! But the person I spoke to was shocked when I told them they only cleaned 2 times a yr and she said they need to use common sense in regards to that. I personally took it apone myself to start what I call a 911 Emergency Crew which is a parent volunteer group that will come in same day of a contagious infection and clean toys and class rooms. Since my questioning about the cleaning all the teachers have been more then willing to start cleaning the toys and taking pro action to keep the toys safer when it comes to cleanliness. Thanks again and thank you to all the wonderful TEACHERS and Home Day Care providers.
JenNJ 02:03 PM 09-15-2011
I clean when my daycare children nap. I do daycare related laundry, clean toys and fixtures, work on lesson plans, and restock supplies. I even shop online for daycare supplies and visit here. I don't use nap as a long break (other than a quick lunch and bathroom break) because after I close, I want to be done working for the day IN THE HOUSE.
I have 3 hours a week of errands related to daycare outside daycare hours per week, plus I work for two hours before my first child gets here each morning. I do 12 hours a day inside the house, so yes, I clean at naptime.
But I am fortunate to be able to be picky in which children/parents I choose. I choose parents who agree that a safe environment is a clean one and appreciate the efforts I go to to keep a clean space for the kids. I also only care for kids who nap. I don't do school aged kids, children who can't/don't nap, or whose parents choose for them not to nap. It simply doesn't fit my program and if it isn't a right fit, no one will be happy with that arrangement for long.
I have 3 hours a week of errands related to daycare outside daycare hours per week, plus I work for two hours before my first child gets here each morning. I do 12 hours a day inside the house, so yes, I clean at naptime.
But I am fortunate to be able to be picky in which children/parents I choose. I choose parents who agree that a safe environment is a clean one and appreciate the efforts I go to to keep a clean space for the kids. I also only care for kids who nap. I don't do school aged kids, children who can't/don't nap, or whose parents choose for them not to nap. It simply doesn't fit my program and if it isn't a right fit, no one will be happy with that arrangement for long.
xdaycare worker 09:22 AM 09-20-2011
Originally Posted by Clreyes:
Thank you for all the responses. I appreciate one and all taking the time.
I live in California and it is a licensed day care. I did call the State licensing office that handles the preschool my DD attends and there is no Law stating a child has to nap and there is NO quit area that is manditory. They have a PC code that actually states a child should not be forced to nap. I in no way shape or form have an issue with my child napping but she does not want to and gets very upset when she was being put in that situation. She also knows if she is tired she can ask to be put down to rest (which she actually did yesterday and feel asleep) As for the cleaning, I was surprised to hear from the State that there are no laws pertaining to cleaning! But the person I spoke to was shocked when I told them they only cleaned 2 times a yr and she said they need to use common sense in regards to that. I personally took it apone myself to start what I call a 911 Emergency Crew which is a parent volunteer group that will come in same day of a contagious infection and clean toys and class rooms. Since my questioning about the cleaning all the teachers have been more then willing to start cleaning the toys and taking pro action to keep the toys safer when it comes to cleanliness. Thanks again and thank you to all the wonderful TEACHERS and Home Day Care providers.
Thank you for all the responses. I appreciate one and all taking the time.
I live in California and it is a licensed day care. I did call the State licensing office that handles the preschool my DD attends and there is no Law stating a child has to nap and there is NO quit area that is manditory. They have a PC code that actually states a child should not be forced to nap. I in no way shape or form have an issue with my child napping but she does not want to and gets very upset when she was being put in that situation. She also knows if she is tired she can ask to be put down to rest (which she actually did yesterday and feel asleep) As for the cleaning, I was surprised to hear from the State that there are no laws pertaining to cleaning! But the person I spoke to was shocked when I told them they only cleaned 2 times a yr and she said they need to use common sense in regards to that. I personally took it apone myself to start what I call a 911 Emergency Crew which is a parent volunteer group that will come in same day of a contagious infection and clean toys and class rooms. Since my questioning about the cleaning all the teachers have been more then willing to start cleaning the toys and taking pro action to keep the toys safer when it comes to cleanliness. Thanks again and thank you to all the wonderful TEACHERS and Home Day Care providers.
I just have a few comments. First, I don't understand why someone from the state told you there are no laws regarding cleaning. Although each state is different, they all have strict rules/regulations regarding cleaning/disinfecting. Are you positive your dc is licensed? How do you know that they only clean 2x a year? It's hard to believe that a dc owner or teacher would just admit something like that... even if it was true.
I also don't understand why your child's dc would even consider allowing a volunteer group of parents to come in and clean? That alone is reason enough to get their license removed. And any insurance carrier would drop them like a hot potato. It's just unheard of.
Lastly, if your dc is that bad, why would you even consider leaving your child there?
I'd get my kid out ASAP.
Crystal 02:53 PM 09-15-2011
California napping regs:
101230 ACTIVITIES/NAPPING 101230
(a) Each center shall provide a variety of daily activities designed to meet the needs of children in care,
including but not limited to:
(1) Quiet and active play.
(2) Rest and relaxation.
(3) Eating.
(4) Toileting.
(b) All children shall be given an opportunity to nap or rest without distraction or disturbance from other
activities at the center.
(1) A napping space and a cot or mat shall be available for each child under the age of five.
(2) Centers that serve children in half-day programs are not required to schedule napping periods or
have napping equipment for such children.
(3) No child shall be forced to stay awake or to stay in the napping area longer than the normal
napping period.
CALIFORNIA-DSS-MANUAL-CCL
MANUAL LETTER NO. CCL-98-11 Effective 11/1/98
Page
101230 ACTIVITIES/NAPPING 101230
(a) Each center shall provide a variety of daily activities designed to meet the needs of children in care,
including but not limited to:
(1) Quiet and active play.
(2) Rest and relaxation.
(3) Eating.
(4) Toileting.
(b) All children shall be given an opportunity to nap or rest without distraction or disturbance from other
activities at the center.
(1) A napping space and a cot or mat shall be available for each child under the age of five.
(2) Centers that serve children in half-day programs are not required to schedule napping periods or
have napping equipment for such children.
(3) No child shall be forced to stay awake or to stay in the napping area longer than the normal
napping period.
CALIFORNIA-DSS-MANUAL-CCL
MANUAL LETTER NO. CCL-98-11 Effective 11/1/98
Page