Do you live in Ontario? (I am guessing because you said you visited New York). If so, this is what I read regarding nap regulations in Ontario:
"Each child who is in attendance for six or more hours in a day and is between 18 months and five years is required to have a rest period NOT EXCEEDING 2 hours following lunch.
•
A child under 44 months of age as of August 31 of the year who is unable to sleep is not to be kept in bed (cot/playpen) for LONGER THAN ONE HOUR and is allowed to get up and participate in quiet activities."
So, this says that are not to exceed a 2 hour nap period and that a child that isn't sleeping cannot be kept in bed LONGER than 1 hour. It says nothing about not letting them get up sooner, if the parents want them to. These statements regulate maximums, not minimums.
I don't know if these are the right regulations for your area, but most such regulations are similar. The idea is to protect the kids, not to force them to sleep or be inactive. It is so daycares can't keep kids in their cribs/beds all day even when they are awake.
This probably isn't that useful to you, but it just got under my skin that so many places COMPLETELY misunderstand these guidelines and their purpose! I hope that you are able to find some alternative activities for your DS. IMO, since he is not going to be going to school for another 2+ years, I don't see why he needs to be "ready" right now.
