When I was commuting with Charlotte 45 minutes each way, she would take a catnap in the afternoon if she didn't get her second nap in. Then she got into this schedule of an 1.5 hour nap in the am and one in the pm about 3 pm. She'd usually get a small bottle right before so she had something to hold her over until we got home for dinner and that usually got her down for the afternoon nap

Since she's been at the new daycare and the commute is no more than 15 minutes her nap schedule is berzerker, especially the afternoon. They give her an afternoon bottle but an hour or more later than she's used to and don't put her down for a nap until ~4:30 if they put her down at all.

She's about ready for a melt-down when she gets home and has gotten into a habit of falling asleep and sleeping until 7 and sometimes 8 (pretty much her bedtime). So we either wake her prematurely to get dinner into her, or wait until she wakes up naturally, give her dinner and pray that she'll grow tired before midnight. lol.

If the daycare can't get her down for a second decent length nap before we pick her up I'm not sure how to remedy the schedule. I'm thinking we ought to transition her to one longer nap per day, but the daycare has to work with us on that one.

Anyone have any strategies to smooth out this napping business?:confuzzle

I'd talk to the daycare and see if they can work around the former schedule. :hugs I don't have any suggestions really

Tell the daycare what you need to be done. They should be willing to work with you. If not you may have to find a new daycare.

Talking to them was my first instinct, but their regulations are so strict that they barely have time to keep up with every child's individual special requests. I know that sounds backwards.

Everything is at least a three step process. So a lot the caregivers' time is spent washing hands before and after meals and diaper changes or bleaching down toys and crib mats or changing linens...things like that. It's so ironic that their attention to detail keeps them from being able to cater, even slightly, to a nap schedule or keeping track of a security object or bink. :(

There was one day I noticed Charlotte hadn't been given breakfast until 10 am!!! That means she hadn't eaten anything since 8 pm the night before. We drop her off regularly at 7:30 so there is no reason why they should have delayed her breakfast. She came home that night ravenous and with a tantrum the size of a bear.

Maybe I should have posted this in venting? I'm so torn over it. Mostly because I loved her old daycare so very much and the impersonal "better" care we're getting here just doesn't feel as warm and fuzzy.

Talking to them was my first instinct, but their regulations are so strict that they barely have time to keep up with every child's individual special requests. I know that sounds backwards.

Everything is at least a three step process. So a lot the caregivers' time is spent washing hands before and after meals and diaper changes or bleaching down toys and crib mats or changing linens...things like that. It's so ironic that their attention to detail keeps them from being able to cater, even slightly, to a nap schedule or keeping track of a security object or bink. :(

There was one day I noticed Charlotte hadn't been given breakfast until 10 am!!! That means she hadn't eaten anything since 8 pm the night before. We drop her off regularly at 7:30 so there is no reason why they should have delayed her breakfast. She came home that night ravenous and with a tantrum the size of a bear.

Maybe I should have posted this in venting? I'm so torn over it. Mostly because I loved her old daycare so very much and the impersonal "better" care we're getting here just doesn't feel as warm and fuzzy.

Have you thought about at home care instead of daycare?

Have you thought about at home care instead of daycare?
We have and DH and I have butted heads on the issue. He thinks it's too much to ask the women at daycare to make sure of certain things for Charlotte and he also thinks it's important to have Charlotte in a facility where she'll be interacting with lots of people and other kids.

I am really happy with how she's developing socially, even though it really hasn't made too much of a difference in the stranger anxiety department...lol...she really enjoys playing with the other kids.

I think I'll feel better once she's walking and in the pre-toddler class, where they're teaching them things more age appropriate and preparing her for kindergarten. Right now she's in a crib class and there's no rhyme or reason to any of their schedule or activities.