(This also applies to childminders)
When you’re visiting a childcare setting, there’s SO much to take in — routines, meals, staff ratios, settling-in policies… but there’s one important thing that often gets missed 👀
👉 How (and where) will my baby or toddler nap?
I have to be honest, I signed up my eldest to his nursery when I was 12 weeks pregnant! I didn’t even ask about sleep 😅🤦🏽♀️
Nap setups can look very different from nursery to nursery:
• Some children sleep in cots
• Some nap on mats on the floor
• Some sleep altogether in one room
• Some nap in a darkened space
• Others sleep in a light room
• And yes, in some settings, children nap on the floor while other children are playing around them
None of these are “right” or “wrong”… but they are different — and they can have a big impact on your child’s sleep, especially if they’re sensitive to noise, light or change.
💬 When you’re looking around, ask:
• Where will my child sleep?
• Is the room darkened or light?
• Will there be other children playing nearby?
• How do you support children who struggle to nap?
Understanding the nap environment helps you set realistic expectations, support your child through the transition, and avoid surprises later on.
Sleep doesn’t stop being important just because children start nursery 💤
And asking the right questions early can make all the difference.
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If you’d like help supporting your child’s sleep around nursery starts, naps, or transitions, I’m always happy to help 🤍
#NightswithNat #SleepConsultant #BabySleep #ToddlerSleep #NurseryLife NurseryNap ParentTips SleepSupport GentleSleep SleepRoutine NewParents ToddlerLife EarlyYears ChildSleep
