Starting preschool or kindergarten can stir up a whirlwind of emotions, leaving us with a mix of feelings. It's common for this transition to disrupt our sleep patterns and daily routines, causing anxiety and unease. However, it's important to remember that sleep at preschool may differ significantly from the familiar routines at home. It's all about finding the right balance and adjusting to this new phase. So, take comfort in knowing that while it may be a challenging adjustment, it's a normal part of the journey.

Here are some tips that will help along the way:

💤Try to start with a "good sleeper"

Teaching your baby to self-settle before starting will reassure you that they can get themselves off to sleep and will be well-rested during the day. In addition, having excellent sleep practices in place at home can really help this transition.

🧸Bring sleep comforters from home

Consider bringing sleep comforters from home to ease the transition. If your little one is accustomed to sleeping in a sleeping bag or has a favourite dummy or comfort toy that they associate with nap time, bringing these familiar items can be beneficial. These will serve as signals, just like at home, indicating that it's time to sleep. Some places have white noise; some may not. If your child likes white noise, they may allow you to bring a portable machine from home.

🗣Communicate with the carers

It's actually ok for you to share how you prefer your little one to fall asleep. Having this open conversation with the carer on when and how your child falls asleep at home can work in their favour. Most carers would appreciate this as they know children are happier when they have familiar routines that allow them to have more of a restorative sleep.

💛Treasure that time

When you do greet your wee one after daycare, no doubt you both would've missed each other's company throughout the day. So enjoy that time together with lots of kisses and cuddles in the evenings.