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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Nap Mats or Cots
MotherNature 07:13 AM 03-05-2013
Hello- This past summer when I was considering opening my daycare, I bought a few nap mats from a daycare that was closing. I have yet to use them, as the kid I have falls asleep on the couch, but since I'm looking to get another kid or two, I just have questions about the mats. I don't have a dedicated room for them to sleep in. Is that a problem? I do darken the living/dining area though & keep it quiet. I generally sit on the couch & hang out online next to the kids or get crafts ready to go while they sleep. Sometimes I wash dishes, but usually am right with them. Anyway, are mats still in use or has everyone moved to cots? I like the look of the cots, but I don't really want to bring them up from the basement every day & don't want them just hanging out in the LR constantly. The mats I have fold up but aren't super plush, just kind of padded a little. Thanks!
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Willow 07:16 AM 03-05-2013
I have mats and they work great!

All of mine nap on the living room floor, I too just close the curtains and either clean or hang out online next to them.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 09:15 AM 03-05-2013
I've seen many places (both in-home and facilities) use mats!

I use, and prefer, cots. Unless your state guidelines state something specific then it is up to you to decide what you like. Cots DO take up a lot of room.
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MizzCheryl 09:35 AM 03-05-2013
Cots!
With mats the kids always wanted to roll around on the floor and didn't sleep as well.
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MrsSteinel'sHouse 09:42 AM 03-05-2013
Originally Posted by MizzCheryl:
Cots!
With mats the kids always wanted to roll around on the floor and didn't sleep as well.
This was my experience too! They do take space but so did my mats! I really think that they take up about the same space. I stand them on end and they sit in a corner of my breakfast nook.
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Candy 09:46 AM 03-05-2013
Im going to use mats. The 2" daydreamer. They are super thick and last forever. I don't have rooms cots.
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snbauser 09:47 AM 03-05-2013
I use cots. I like that they are up off the floor a few inches. My room is hardwood with some area rugs so in the winter the floor can be a little cool to lay on.
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MotherNature 09:49 AM 03-05-2013
That's what I was wondering..I have hardwood as well & an area rug in the LR. Thanks everyone. I'll try the mats & if they don't work, I'll find a couple cots.
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MaryM 10:06 AM 03-05-2013
& make sure you check your regs- in Oklahoma mats have to be on carpet & be at least 2 inches thick. If you don't have carpet/area rugs, you have to use cots.
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Springdaze 10:10 AM 03-05-2013
a parent told me their DR didnt want the child to sleep on a mat (?) so she brought in a cot from Walmart that folds up and goes in a bag. Its really cool and I may get one for the other kids!
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Springdaze 10:12 AM 03-05-2013
here it is
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Regalo-My-...el-Bed/4433186
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Scout 10:15 AM 03-05-2013
I use cots and honestly the fact that they take up room has never bothered me! I put a sheet over them and just put them against my wall in LR. I also like the fact that they are off the ground as I have hardwood and no area rug!
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butterfly 10:19 AM 03-05-2013
I use the fold up nap mats and like that I can fold them up and tuck them away in a closet. However, if I had a dedicated space for cots, I would much prefer to have cots for the kids. I've had a few kids through the years that tended to roll around and kick the mats out from under themselves.

I have a hard floor, no carpet but most kids still sleep great on them.
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Blackcat31 10:20 AM 03-05-2013
Originally Posted by Willow:
I have mats and they work great!

All of mine nap on the living room floor, I too just close the curtains and either clean or hang out online next to them.
1+
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Patches 11:12 AM 03-05-2013
I have cots. I prefer cots oer mats any day. I store mine n a closet inder the stairs and I don't mind giving up that space for the cots.
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LoraJenkins 11:35 AM 03-05-2013
I only use cots. My naproom is my livingroom so I bought Regalo brand folding cots. They are stored in the closet until nap time and crib sheets fit them.
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mema 12:56 PM 03-05-2013
I have cots, but I only have a small group. If I had a larger group, I would probably do the mats. Mine sleep in the living room and I'm in and out cleaning up the dining room, kitchen, bathroom, and on the computer/tv, etc. I don't turn on anything to watch until they are sleeping tho.
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Auntie'sHouse 01:16 PM 03-05-2013
I have sleeping bags but i feel terrible about having the kids sleep on the floor while the babies are comfy in a playpen. if i can find cots im buying them....
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KnoxMom 01:21 PM 03-05-2013
I have cots, but they fold up easily and come with their own bag for easy storage. I found them on sale at Toys/Babies R Us online.
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CrackerJacks 03:33 PM 03-05-2013
I currently have nap mats, but just purchased cots. There has been some research to show that the nap mats may be toxic.. Here is an article that has been passed on from the local Childcare Agency.


http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/articl...#photo-4220718
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LK5kids 04:42 PM 03-05-2013
Mats are good, take up less space and are relatively inexpensive. My state regs. also suggest a sleeping bag provided by the parents and that's what I do.

Ewww...just read the toxic mat article. Ick!
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MotherNature 05:24 AM 03-06-2013
Originally Posted by CrackerJacks:
I currently have nap mats, but just purchased cots. There has been some research to show that the nap mats may be toxic.. Here is an article that has been passed on from the local Childcare Agency.


http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/articl...#photo-4220718
Oh wow! Thanks for that info. Mine look similar to the ones in the photo; I'll have to check them out.
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Sunnyyy1 08:30 PM 03-07-2013
I use cots, I like that there up off the floor, I store mine in my closet.
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itlw8 08:19 AM 03-08-2013
I use cots. It used to be we had to in MO mine are Spacemaker cots and the legs fold. Now we can use mats but since I am in a basement I think I still need to use cots. The have to be 4 inches off the floor I think.
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MaryM 12:29 PM 03-08-2013
Has anyone used the cots from http://www.butterflyschoolsupply.com/kids-kots.html ? They seem affordable, good quality, & I love the purple ones!
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