Cranky babies and grumpy toddlers: Why young children need a nap at nursery

Daytime naps are crucial for babies and toddlers’ brain development and are essential for their wellbeing. Yet many young children go without a nap at nursery, either because it does not have a dedicated sleep area or because the parent has specifically asked for their child not to be given a nap.

Sleep is a hot topic for parents of young children. They are often relating how little sleep they have had or discussing sleep routines in what can seem like the holy grail of getting their child to sleep through the night.

Although every child is different, the NHS recommends that children in the night time should be getting around 11 to 12 hours sleep a night. In the daytime a six-month-old baby should have three hours of sleep, a 12-month-old should have two and a half hours sleep and a two-year-old should be getting a one and a half hour nap.

By the time they have reached the age of three, some children may already have dropped their daytime nap while others may still need up to 45 minutes. By the age of four, they will no longer need a daytime nap.

Parents can feel they have lost control

Parents can obsess about their child’s daily routine, mapping out when they sleep, eat and play. When their child starts nursery, their sense of control which they have worked hard to establish goes out of the window, as they hand over the reins to someone else.

On parent forums such as Mumsnet or Netmums, you will find parents complaining about their child not being able to sleep at nursery and then coming home exhausted and grouchy. Alternatively they grumble about their child being given too much sleep and being still wide awake when it comes to their bedtime.

Sleeping and resting policies are vital

To avoid this, it is important that every nursery has a sleeping and resting policy, which is explained to parents before their child starts at the nursery.

Some nurseries such as the Woodlands Nursery Group in Herefordshire, state that young children can get very tired and ‘need the opportunity to rest/ sleep during the nursery day’.

It also states that ‘some parents prefer their children to only have a short sleep - fearing that it infringes on their night time sleep and this will be taken into account provided it is also clearly in the child’s best interests’.

Some such as Townsend Montessori Nurseries have a policy of not waking a child, saying ‘staff will not force a child to sleep or keep them awake against his or her will. They will also not usually wake children from their sleep’.

Tops Day Nursery - Wareham has taken the unusual step of letting children with the consent of their parents take afternoon naps outdoors in an initiative that emulates early years practices in Scandinavian countries.

“It is optional for the parents. We have found some parents are really up for it but for others it is a definite no,” reveals nursery manager, Nicky Willetts.

'Huge benefits' to sleeping outdoors

The nursery in Dorset has created a woodland area in the grounds of nursery, covered by a camouflage net where the children sleep in stackable cot beds and sleeping bags.

Ms Willetts has found there are huge benefits to sleeping outdoors. “They are out in the fresh air and there are no problems when they wake up. If they are sleeping inside they can take a while to come around but outside when they wake up they are instantly alert. The children love sleeping outside, they find it very exciting. But it is vital to have the right equipment so the children stay warm.”

Tops Day Nurseries also recognise the importance of children relaxing and having a ‘rest time’ and are introducing meditation sessions in all of its settings, with a spokeswoman saying: “This ability to calm themselves when they experience stress is an invaluable tool, and leads them to have a more positive outlook on life and to be more confident.”

EYFS

Two years ago, the Government published a new framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) removing the requirement to ensure provision is made for ‘children who wish to relax, play quietly or sleep’.

Neil Leitch, chief executive of Pre-School Learning Alliance warned at the time this was “yet another indication of the shift towards the creation of a more formal early learning environment”.

However the Department for Education defended the move, saying it was trusting “professionals to use their judgement and expertise to meet the needs of every child in their care”.

Even if a nursery does try and put the child down for a sleep, getting them to actually sleep, especially when they have just started nursery and are in an unfamiliar environment can be extremely difficult.

Angela Spencer, who runs the Angels at Play nursery group, says: “Within a nursery setting a baby should never be left to cry. Settling a new baby in unfamiliar surroundings with unfamiliar people can be very stressful for both baby and carers.”

Sensory influences

She recommends using some sensory influences from the Babyopathy programme she has developed to encourage a good sleep routine.

• Sound – I recommend nature sounds and my personal favourite is whale songs or sounds of the sea. Only use this music at sleep times so the baby will associate it with bedtime.

• Smell – baby’s airways are sensitive but the essential oil of lavender can be diffused in your sleep room 10-15 mins before their nap to set the scene for sleeping.

• Sight – always try and keep the room as dark as possible – as it sends those ‘sleep time’ messages to their brain.

• Lay baby down (on their back if under one year and feet to foot of cot), tell them it’s sleep time and gently pat or rub their back until they are settled. If possible then take a step back to let them fall asleep by themselves. Repeat as necessary.

• A sleeping baby in a nursery setting should always be monitored – we have a member of staff in the room at all times, it is surprising how quickly a baby’s breathing or temperature may change leading to breathing difficulty.

PACEY's sleep resources

Childcare practitioners can also get helpful hints and tips from a new sleep resource that has been developed by Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) in partnership with The Children’s Sleep Charity.

The new downloadable poster contains guidance on the average amount of daytime and night time sleep required according to age as well as practical tips and advice.

“Sleep deprivation can have a huge impact on a child’s physical wellbeing, and also impacts on cognitive functioning and concentration. In addition, lack of sleep at an early age can put children at risk of obesity. Childcare professionals have a vital role to play in promoting sleep. Structured sleep is a key part of a high quality childcare setting, and we are delighted to be working with PACEY to raise awareness of this important issue, says Vicki Dawson, founder of The Children’s Sleep Charity.

Liz Bayram, chief executive of PACEY says: “Sleep (or lack of it) is a major concern for parents, particularly those with very young children, and practitioners. We know from our members that parents turn to them for advice and can often be anxious about how childcare settings can support their child’s sleeping routine.”

The poster is available to download at www.pacey.org.uk/shop/business-products/eyfs-documents/sleep-in-the-early-years-downloadable-poster/ free for PACEY members or £1.00 for non-PACEY members.

In addition, a more in-depth sleep factsheet - www.pacey.org.uk/mypacey/resources/children-first/inclusion/individual-needs/sleep/ is available for PACEY members.