The most economical daycare sleeping mat available is a vinyl rest mat. These mats usually fold into three or four equal parts, making them portable. The vinyl cover is durable and can be cleaned with a wet cloth and sanitized with a bleach and water solution. Since the vinyl cover isn't an ideal sleeping surface, the mat can be covered with a thin blanket or crib sheet.
Cots are sleeping surfaces that are lifted a few inches off the ground. Lifting the sleeping child off the floor increases air movement, so children sleeping on cots avoid extreme hot or cold temperatures. Most cots are covered with a vinyl or plastic mesh surface for easy cleaning, and can be covered with special cot sheets or twin-sized sheets. Since they are not easy to transport, most daycare centers store cots and send bedding home with parents to be washed at least once a week.
A newer trend in daycare sleeping mats is the roll up mat. These mats are usually made of a quilted fabric and often have a small pillow attached to the top for comfort. They resemble sleeping bags when rolled up, yet do not have an opening to climb into. Roll up mats are ideal to use on top of cots or vinyl mats, and are durable enough to be washed in a washing machine with your regular laundry.
All-in-one mats are similar to roll up mats in that they are made with a quilted fabric and have a pillow attached. The difference is that an all-in-one mat also has a thin fleece blanket attached. The blanket is attached to the mat on one long side and easily tucks into the roll when the mat is put away. These mats are also durable enough to withstand the washing machine.