How Nurseries Manage Naps - Including Top Tips to Help with Sleep Routine
- Caroline Curtis
- Oct 18
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 15
Parents, no doubt, have many worries when they send their little ones to nursery. One of those concerns may be based around how nurseries manage naps for babies and toddlers, and whether their little one will get the rest they need.
It's completely understandable to worry about your toddler or baby's nap schedule at a nursery setting.
The truth is, many parents are pleasantly surprised by how well their children adapt to nursery sleep routines.
At Lucky Beans, we understand that good daytime sleep is crucial for your child's development, mood, and overall well-being. That's why we've developed a sleep policy that respects individual needs, while providing the consistency, comfort, and safety every child deserves.
Let's explore how nurseries typically manage sleep for babies and toddlers, and share some practical tips to help make this transition as smooth as possible for your family.
*Please note that each childcare setting will vary in their sleep policy. Always check with your childcare provider about their sleep guidance.
Do Babies and Toddlers Nap at Nursery?
Absolutely – it's a fundamental part of quality childcare.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sleep guidance recognises that adequate rest is essential for children's physical and emotional development. Making sleep provision a key requirement for all registered nurseries.
However, nursery sleep routines look very different depending on your child's age and individual needs.
According to Huckleberry, a typical nap routine for babies and toddlers may look like the following:
Newborn babies (0-5 months) need a lot of sleep. Naps can vary between 30 minutes to 2 hours. By around the age of 5 months, your baby may follow a more predictable rhythm and cycle.
Babies (6-12 months) tend to have 2-3 semi-predictable naps during the day, averaging 2-3 hours each.
Toddlers (12-24 months) usually transition to one longer afternoon nap, typically lasting 1-2 hours. Or perhaps 2 shorter naps. At times, if naps have been cut short, an earlier bedtime may be needed to prevent overtiredness.
Older toddlers and pre-schoolers (2-3 years) may still benefit from an afternoon, though some children naturally drop this nap around age 3. They may also take longer to settle for a nap at this age and would benefit from 10-15 minutes of wind-down.
The important thing is that childcare settings work with your baby’s/toddler’s nap schedule at nursery, rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.
How Nurseries Support Daytime Sleep
Creating the right environment for sleep is extremely important for babies and toddlers to feel safe and fall into a peaceful nap.
Experienced nursery practitioners understand this completely.
Some childcare settings will have a carefully designed area to promote rest. These spaces may have blackout blinds or curtains, comfortable temperature control, and minimal noise disruption.
In addition, your child's key person plays a crucial role in helping them settle.
At Lucky Beans Childcare, we monitor new babies to the setting and babies under 6 months old, every 5 minutes during their nap time. This allows the child’s key person to become familiar with the baby’s sleeping routine and position.
Learning your child's individual sleep cues – perhaps they rub their eyes, become quieter, or seek comfort- allows for personal and individualised care from someone who understands their needs.
Respecting home routines is incredibly important.
If your baby sleeps with a particular blanket, uses a dummy, or settles better to specific music, it’s important to let the childcare setting know.
We at Lucky Beans Childcare ask parents to complete and keep updating our sleep policy form. This allows us to understand your child’s needs better and to provide comfort for both you as a parent and your child.
Sleep logging and communication will keep you informed about how your child is resting during the day.
You'll know exactly when your little one slept and for how long. This information may help you plan evening routines and gives you peace of mind that your child's sleep needs are being met.
Our sleep policy at Lucky Beans Childcare has been created following advice from The Cot Death Society and Lullaby Trust.
What If My Baby Struggles to Nap at Nursery?
This is incredibly common, especially during the first few weeks.
Your baby is simply adjusting to a new environment, new sounds, and new people.
The transition period can be challenging for both you and your child. Some babies adapt within days, while others may take several weeks to feel completely comfortable napping in their new environment.
This is perfectly normal.
We have experienced staff at Lucky Beans Childcare who have gentle, proven methods for helping children to settle. They might use rhythmic patting, soft singing, or simply staying nearby until your child feels secure enough to rest.
The key is building trust and creating positive associations with sleep time at nursery.
It is vital during the adjustment period that parents share what works at home – does your baby prefer to be rocked, patted, or left to self-settle? Do they need complete darkness or a nightlight?
The more information you can provide, the better we can replicate successful strategies and routines.
Many nursery settings provide a settling-in process that will not only help your child to feel at home within the setting, but to also build a relationship with their key person. This groundwork is needed in order to feel comfortable falling asleep in nursery.
Tips for Parents Worried About Nursery Naps
Here are some practical strategies to help ease this transition:
Share detailed information about your home nap routine with your child's key person.
Pack familiar sleep items like a favourite blanket, comforter, or sleep bag (if the nursery's policy allows).
Allow adjustment time and try not to worry if the first few days don't go perfectly.
Maintain consistency with sleep schedules at weekends and evenings where possible.
Stay in regular communication with your child's key person and notify them of any changes in sleep patterns, illness, or anything else you think may influence their napping.
Trust the process – nursery practitioners have helped hundreds of children develop healthy sleep habits, and they have a wealth of experience to draw upon.
Lucky Beans' Approach to Rest and Sleep
At Lucky Beans, we believe that every child deserves rest that's tailored to their individual needs.
Our child-led approach means we follow your little one's natural sleep rhythms and routines.
If your baby shows signs of tiredness, we respond.
If your toddler isn't ready for their usual nap time, we will offer quiet activities until they naturally feel sleepy. Or, if your child does not nap in the daytime anymore, then we will ensure to continue with their developmental needs in the way of playing and learning.
Our trained practitioners understand child development and how sleep needs to change as children grow.
Each key person will get to know your child’s tired signals and will use gentle settling techniques, adapting approaches based on what works for each individual child.
Sleep times are shared with parents in order for them to understand when and how long their child has napped at nursery.
Flexibility is key – we never force children to sleep, but we always offer the opportunity for rest.
At Lucky Beans, your child's rest, comfort, and well-being are always our top priorities.
We understand that entrusting someone else with your child's sleep routine requires tremendous trust, and we don't take that responsibility lightly.
Every child is different, every family has unique needs, and every sleep journey requires patience and understanding with the inevitable changes.
What never changes is our commitment to working with you to ensure your little one gets the rest they need to grow, learn, and thrive.
Would you like to discuss your child's sleep routine with our experienced team?
Book a visit today to see our sleep-friendly environments in person and speak with the practitioners who could be caring for your little one.
FAQs
Do nurseries follow my baby’s home nap schedule?
Absolutely – nurseries aim to mirror home routines as closely as possible to ensure babies and toddlers feel comfortable in their environment.
What if my baby doesn’t sleep well in new environments?
That’s common. Staff use familiar routines and gentle comfort to help your baby settle over time. Open communication is the key to supporting your child with napping.
Will nursery naps affect night-time sleep?
Possibly at first, but routines usually balance out. By maintaining consistency, both at nursery and at home, your child will find their own nap routine.
How do nurseries ensure a safe sleep environment?
Nurseries follow EYFS guidelines, including safe sleep practices, supervised rest, and age-appropriate sleeping equipment. At Lucky Beans Childcare, our sleep policy is based on The Cot Death Society and Lullaby Trust.
What happens if my child doesn’t want to nap?
That’s no problem. We will read your child’s cues and assist with their needs, this may be quiet rest time, reading a story to your child, etc.
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