Nap/Rest Time

POLICY:

NOCAC Head Start will provide an age appropriate nap/rest time to children enrolled in a classroom that operates 6 or more hours each day.

PROCEDURES:

1. Children are encouraged but not forced to rest or nap.
2. Staff should provide calming, soothing music during nap time. Music should not contain words.
3. Nap time should be a minimum of 30 minutes and not more than 60 minutes each day.
4. Alternative quiet learning must be provided for children who do not need or want to rest/nap.
5. Rest/nap areas shall be lighted to allow for visual supervision of all children at ALL times.
6. Evacuation routes shall not be blocked by resting/napping children. Each child shall have a free and direct means of escape and NOCAC Staff shall have a clear path to each resting child.
7. There must be two NOCAC Staff members in the nap room at all times.
8. Cots/mats shall be individually assigned, cleaned and sanitized in accordance with ODJFS 5101:2-12-13 Appendix A.
9. Children are not permitted to rest/nap on the floor without a cot or mat.
10. A cot shall stand at least 3 inches and not more than 18 inches off the floor and be at least 36 inches in length and as long as the child assigned to the cot is tall. A mat is a pad that is at least one inch thick and at least as wide and long as the child using the mat.

Forms and Additional Guidance:

1. ODJFS 5101:2-12-13 Appendix A