My little on is enrolled in a full day daycare program, so she naps at school. Since summer began, she has been complaining about not getting a blanket at naptime. I sort of brushed it off, but as she's continuing to tell me about it, I asked her teacher. Apparently as a cost saving measure the children are not to use blankets at naptime - the school, up until now has provided blankets that were washed weekly in the washing machine on site. And as parents, we aren't supposed to send them from home because of concerns about cleanliness.
I'm not really sure what to do here as otherwise my daughter and I love her school. But she needs her blanket, not only for warmth (I've been in those rooms, I know how cool the AC makes it), but as a comfort thing as well. Do you have any suggestions for me? Is it even legal to deny them blankets?
I must have come in at a terrible or super convenient time today to pick up my daughter, she's almost four by the way, to see the director of the center heading into the office to lock the blankets in the storage closet. I decided at that point that it would be pointless to talk to her abut my concerns with the blankets.
I was told when I enrolled my daughter that we weren't allowed to bring blankets from home because of a concern about bringing bedbugs or other pests into the center. Which at the time I was okay with because the center was giving the children blankets.
I talked to my daughter's teacher again today (we're friends outside of the center). I pointed out the licensing standards thing that you guys pointed me to, she said she'd talk with the director about it. She expressed to me that several of the teachers in the center are concerned with the last of blankets as well and will be speaking with the director about it.
Hopefully something will come of all of this. Because I really don't want to go through the process of finding a new center when I love everything about this center expect for this one thing.
I'd talk to the director. That seems to be such a stingy way to save money. Kids need to cuddle with blankets.
Your child talks well so she's at least 3. But she's not school age yet because those kids don't take naps.
So let's assume she's 3, 4 or a young 5 not in school yet.
IF that's the right age then this is what the state of Illinois states in the regulations handbook for child care centers.
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State of Illinois's child care facility regulations handbook.
http://www.state.il.us/dcfs/docs/407.pdf
Section 407.350 Napping and Sleeping
e) Freshly laundered sheets and blankets shall be provided and changed at least twice per week for infants and toddlers and at least once per week for preschool children, or more frequently if wet or soiled.
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Either they are in compliance or they are not. The sentence reads "Freshly laundered sheets & blankets shall....at least once per week for preschool children...."
That is in black and white in their own rules and regulations book. They have NO CHOICE. They could be fined and even closed for not giving every child clean sheets for their cot, this age, once per week then a clean blanket too.
They should wash the sheets at least once per week. We always did ours on Friday. Then the clean sheets were put back on the cots on Monday before nap time.
They have no choice. This is a regulation. Click on the link to the regulations book then click on the sentence that says napping and sleeping. Print it off if you can then take it in to the director on Monday morning. If you're assertive and just tell people what you want and expect them to follow the rules say:
This is YOUR regulation book. My child has been told she is not allowed to have a blanket because you can't afford to wash them every week.
If my child and the other children don't get blankets today I will be calling the licensing office this afternoon when I get here to pick her up. Please see that your facility is in compliance with the state regulations so that you do not lose your license over this.
If you don't want to come off as "that parent" then say something like this:
I understand what it's like, I know that cutting back on some things might seem like a good choice but the choice to not allow the kids to have blankets at nap time is not a choice that is allowed by the state. I copied the regulation off so I would be sure to say it right. Please make sure your teachers are aware they have to give the kids a clean blanket every week that they can use every day for that week. My child deserves to be comfortable while resting.
Maybe send her with a big sweatshirt or soft jacket just for naptime?
Talk to the director and let her know that you are concerned, and in a friendly way. "It sort of defeats the purpose of naptime if my child can't relax because she's too cold."
Then let her know that since state law requires it, if they choose not to provide a blanket, you will be bringing one. Period.
I would ask them why there are concerns about cleanliness if the blanket is for that child only? My DD's blanket was always kept in her crib (or her cubby) and then sent home at the end of the week for washing. My child. My blanket. My problem. If they need to be laundered 2x a week, then send them home 2x a week. I would have trouble sleeping, too, without some sort of cover. If there is a state regulation that they have blankets, then I would ask them to address why they are not complying.
That's so sad. Our preschool had "nap bags" and the kids were to bring a crib sheet, a blanket and a stuffed animal or lovey. Bags were kept on the child's individual hook and used only by that child. They were taken home every Friday for parents to bring back (clean) on Monday morning. Maybe you could suggest something like that to happen at your daycare?
I'm with your daughter. I still like to have some kind of blanket or sheet on me when I sleep.
Have you talked directly to the director about it - not just the teacher? If they don't want to provide them, fine, but then they should let you send one in.
In my kids' daycare, the parents provide the blankets, and the teachers send them home every Friday to be washed over the weekend. This seems like a reasonable compromise for your center.
what if you just let her have one of your sweaters? she can use it as a blanket.
If it is a state regulation, then I would point that out and insist that children be provided with a blanket. Otherwise, maybe you could send her with a cozy fleece sweater to wear at nap time?
Huh. I wonder if the director would allow willing parents to volunteer to wash the blankets for the class at home.
I would talk to the director as well.... It could be this is something they decided to try out... And they need to be told that he children do not nap as well without their blankets. It might even be worth seeing if other parents are also having issues, and asking them to say something as well.
