In 2023, greater than half Canadian children (up to five years) Children were in care and greater than 25 percent of young children were on waiting lists. Many children are in childcare for several hours a day and a number of other days every week. Parents control children's nighttime sleep but depend on early education and child care providers to assist children safely meet their daytime sleep needs.
But what direction are Canadian licensed child care facilities getting from government rules and regulations about toddler sleep? Evidence indicates that there is no such thing as a guidance from laws, and inconsistent and lacking sleep regulations for licensed child care in Canada, leading to Ignoring children's sleep needs.
Adequate sleep improves concentration in children.Behavior, learning, memory, emotion regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health. Canadian 24-hour mobility guidelines Children's physical activity, sedentary time and sleep needs are essential for healthy development. They recommend nap options for infants and youngsters under two years of age, and for ages three to 4.
(Shutterstock)
Two of the authors of this story have doctorate degrees in nursing. One creator has a doctoral degree in psychology. Our fourth creator is a team member of the Canadian Child Care Federation. We are all committed to promoting the health and well-being of youngsters and fogeys. As a nurse researcher, Wendy Hall has worked with parents and community and skilled organizations to advertise healthy sleep in children.
Problems with government regulations
There are many examples of problems with government regulations for sleep in licensed child care facilities. Only two jurisdictions have regulations that require child care providers to observe children's health during sleep. Only two jurisdictions have regulations that require infants to be placed to sleep on their backs. gave The Canadian Pediatric Society has clear guidelines. About placing infants on their backs.
Despite the plain 24-hour movement guidelines for infant sleeponly two jurisdictions have regulations that specify the quantity of every day sleep/rest in licensed child care. Most jurisdictions specify infant-based sleep spaces, but definitions of infants vary (from 12 to 23 months). Only five jurisdictions prohibit serving drinks and food while children are sleeping/resting. Some jurisdictions prohibit playpens, swings and/or bassinets for sleeping while others include them as acceptable sleeping devices.
(Wendy Hall), Provided by the creator (not reused).
Childcare providers need more guidance.
The lack of specificity within the regulations creates gaps in guidance for child care providers who determine how much sleep children need.
Sleep needs are constantly changing. Between the ages of 4 months and 18 years. Providing appropriate regulations for sleep/rest periods that correspond to children's developmental stages can avoid inappropriate mandates of kid care facilities for kids's sleep. For example, many centers provide just one rest period per day. A period may not meet the needs of infants, or exceed the needs of three- to four-year-olds.
The lack of consistent regulations for naps in licensed child care facilities across Canada may exacerbate inequities. Research has shown that children who live in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Get less sleep at night and spend more time sleeping at night.. Sleep might be necessary for Children from low socio-economic backgrounds To make up for a poor night's sleep.
Some jurisdictions develop manuals to assist interpret laws and regulations, but many manuals are years old.
Research in motion
(Shutterstock)
Our research has identified problems with Canadian regulations regarding infant sleep in licensed child care facilities. This knowledge is required. Government legislatures would profit from lobbying for the legal and regulatory guidance needed for healthy children's sleep Canadian Sleep Society And Canadian Pediatric Society.
Parents can profit from using the data on the Canadian Pediatric Society's website to advocate for his or her children's healthy sleep in childcare.
Professional development of kid care providers about promoting healthy sleep will profit children and fogeys, but sleep education There is a shortage of health care providers and related disciplines..
We don't learn about parents' comfort with advocating for his or her children's healthy sleep. Are they concerned about negative reactions from child care providers in the event that they raise concerns? Do parents feel well informed about their children's sleep needs? Two of the authors of this story are members of a team that applied for funding to check changes in preschool children's napping, which accounts for sleep in childcare.
Preschool children usually tend to have optimal sleep when parents, researchers, and child care providers collaborate to lobby for changes in guidelines and laws.