Understanding Your Child’s Sleep Needs

Toddlers and preschoolers need between 10 to 14 hours of sleep every day. Finding the right balance of daytime naps and nighttime sleep is crucial for your child’s well-being and development. Each child is different, so it’s important to observe when your child naturally gets tired and build your routine around these times.

Creating the Perfect Bedtime Routine

A consistent, calming bedtime routine is the foundation of good sleep habits. Start your wind-down routine about 30-60 minutes before your child’s intended sleep time. Keep the sequence the same each night to help your child understand that bedtime is approaching.

Your evening routine might begin with switching off all electronic devices, as the blue light from screens can interfere with your child’s natural sleep patterns. A warm, relaxing bath can follow, then help your child change into their pyjamas and use the toilet. After brushing your teeth together, settle down for a story or two. Some quiet colouring or gentle play with toys can also help your child transition to bedtime.

End your routine with a calming cuddle and a consistent bedtime phrase such as “night night, I love you” or “sweet dreams, time for sleep.” Using the same phrase each night signals to your child that it’s time to rest.

You can find some more tips here.

Creating the Perfect Sleep Environment

Your child’s sleep environment is crucial to their ability to rest well. The bedroom should be kept at a comfortable temperature, and your child should have access to their favourite comfort items, such as a special toy or blanket. Some children find soft, calming music or white noise helpful for relaxation. If your child needs it, consider using a dim night light to provide reassurance in the dark.

For children who use a dummy to fall asleep, you might want to consider gradually replacing it with a comfort toy. This can help prevent night wakings that occur when the dummy falls out during sleep.

Managing Daytime Naps

Naps are essential for young children, but timing them right is crucial for good nighttime sleep. Try to schedule naps before 3:00pm to ensure your child is tired enough at bedtime. Create a shorter version of your bedtime routine for naps, maintaining consistency with timing and sleep cues. If you read a book at bedtime, for example, include a short story before nap time too.

You can find some more tips from the NHS here.

Tips for Better Sleep Habits

Physical activity during the day can significantly improve sleep quality, but timing is essential. Encourage plenty of active play and outdoor time, but avoid energetic activities close to bedtime. A walk in the fresh air or time in the garden can be perfect ways to burn off energy earlier in the day.

Be mindful of what your child eats and drinks, particularly in the hours before bed. Large meals close to bedtime can interfere with sleep, as can caffeinated drinks like fizzy sodas, which should be limited to before lunchtime if consumed at all.

Encourage your child to use their bed only for sleeping, providing comfortable alternatives like beanbags for daytime rest. This helps your child associate their bed specifically with nighttime sleep.

When Sleep Challenges Arise

Remember to stay calm and minimise engagement if your child resists bedtime or wakes during the night. Quietly lead them back to bed without starting conversations or arguments. Some parents find using a simple visual reminder like a “STOP, return to your bedroom” card helpful. Whatever approach you choose, consistency is key – it may take several nights to see results. Sometimes, all that’s needed is a quick, reassuring cuddle before returning to bed.

Find some additional helpful tips here.

Supporting Children with Additional Needs

We understand that children with long-term health conditions or disabilities might face extra challenges with sleep. If your child needs additional support, please know that you’re not alone. Specialized resources are available through organizations like Contact and Scope, which offer specific sleep advice for parents of children with additional needs.

When to Seek Further Help

While sleep challenges are common, sometimes additional support can be helpful. Your health visitor can be an excellent resource and may be able to suggest local children’s sleep clinics if needed.

Remember, every child is different, and what works for one family might not work for another. Trust your instincts about what feels right for your child, and adjust these suggestions to suit your family’s needs.

At Little Hayes and Speedwell Nursery School, we’re here to support you and your child’s wellbeing. If you’d like to discuss your child’s sleep patterns or any other concerns, please don’t hesitate to speak with your child’s key person.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

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• Thursday 12th December at 6:00pm – Parents
• Tuesday 14th January at 6:00pm – Parents
• Wednesday 22nd January at 6:00pm – EY Providers

During each session, two dental care professionals will present and be on hand to answer any questions you might have throughout the webinar. Cameras or microphones are not required; however, there will be a chat box to ask any questions you might have throughout.

Learn more at https://bigbrushclub.co.uk.

And don’t forget to visit our new Keeping Safe and Healthy page for more helpful information, guidance and links.

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Starting Early: The Key to Success

Babies are born ready to learn new skills, and the best way to support them is through consistent practice and repetition. You can start teaching your child to use a potty before they stop using nappies. This early introduction gives them time to practice and become comfortable with the idea, making the transition smoother when the time comes.

Readiness

Many parents wait for signs of readiness before starting potty training. However, many children, especially those with additional needs, will never give clear signs that they are ready. Instead of waiting, you can prepare your child by gradually teaching them the skills they need.

The Best Age for Potty Training

Research suggests that most children are ready to master potty independence around 18 months. The majority of children will be capable of doing most things including wiping by themselves when they start school. For optimal bladder and bowel health, it’s recommended to stop using nappies between 18 and 30 months. Delaying this process can make it more challenging for your child to adapt to life without nappies.

Preparing for Potty Training

Start early and take your time, making it a gradual journey you take together. Eric described this as a ‘potty learning process’ that integrates into your child’s overall learning. Most parents find that beginning potty training when their child can sit up, usually around 6-9 months, is a good time to begin helping their child learn potty skills.

Why ‘Potty Learning’ Works

• No Need to Wait for Readiness: You don’t have to wait until your child can do everything on their own. Start teaching them the skills they need gradually.
• Early Introduction: There’s no need to wait for your child to express a desire to stop wearing nappies. Language development is one of the last communication skills children acquire.
• Skill Development: When you decide to stop using nappies, your child will already have some key skills, making the transition easier.
• Gentle Learning Process: Helping your child learn at their own pace, according to their developmental stage, ensures a smoother and less stressful transition.

Click through and visit the Let’s Go Potty page for the three-step approach that will take you through preparation, practice and stopping using nappies.

Resources

ERIC, The Children’s Bowel and Bladder Charity, has several fantastic resources.

Let’s Go Potty: Potty Training Approach

Potty Training Problems: Causes and Solutions

Potty Training Children with Additional Needs

Other great resources

How to Potty Train (NHS)

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Good oral health is essential for your child’s overall well-being. Here are some simple tips to help keep your child’s teeth healthy and strong:

Brushing Basics

• Brush Twice Daily: Children aged 3-6 should brush their teeth twice a day for about 2 minutes each time. The best times are before bed and at another time during the day. For children aged up to 3, parents or carers should brush their children’s teeth twice daily (start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as the first milk tooth breaks through, which usually happens around six months but can occur earlier or later).
• Use Fluoride Toothpaste: Choose a children’s fluoride toothpaste with at least 1,000ppm of fluoride. This helps prevent tooth decay.
• Pea-Sized Amount: Use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste for children 3-6, and only a smear of toothpaste for children 0-2. Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste after brushing and avoid rinsing with water to keep the fluoride working.

Making Brushing Fun

• Guide Their Hand: Help your child learn the correct brushing technique by guiding their hand.
• Use a Timer: Make brushing exciting with an egg timer or a special app (click here for some great recommendations) to time the 2 minutes.
• Be Positive: Turn brushing into a fun activity to encourage good habits.

Regular Dental Visits

• Start Early: Take your child to the dentist when their first milk teeth appear. This helps them get used to the dentist and the environment.
• Stay Positive: Be positive about dental visits to prevent any fear or anxiety.
• Regular Check-Ups: Follow the dentist’s advice on regular check-ups to catch any issues early.
• NHS dental care for children is free – Click here to find a dentist near you.

Fluoride Treatments

• Fissure sealants can be done once your child’s permanent back teeth have started to come through (usually at the age of about 6 or 7) to protect them against decay. This is where the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are covered with a special thin plastic coating to keep germs and food particles out of the grooves. The sealant can last for as long as 5 to 10 years.
• Fluoride varnish can be applied to both baby teeth and adult teeth. It involves painting a varnish that contains high levels of fluoride onto the surface of the tooth every 6 months to prevent decay. Some children may need this more often. It works by strengthening tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay.
• From the age of 3, children should be offered fluoride varnish application at least twice a year. Younger children may also be offered this treatment if your dentist thinks they need it.

Following these tips can help ensure your child’s teeth stay healthy and strong as they grow. You can find more advice on the NHS website.

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InternetMatters.org had some fantastic advice on simple things you can do to make sure they’re staying safe online.

Top Tips for Parents and Carers

Talk and Explore Together
Discuss what the internet is and explore it with your child. Show them fun and educational activities, and reassure them to talk to you if they see anything upsetting. Download a Conversation Guide here.

Choose Safe Apps and Sites:

Select age-appropriate, safe, and educational apps and sites. Use platforms like YouTube Kids, Sky Kids, BBC iPlayerKids, and Nick Jr.

Set Up Parental Controls
Activate parental controls on home broadband and devices to restrict access to inappropriate content and prevent unauthorized purchases.

Establish Boundaries:
Set rules for internet use, including which apps and sites are allowed and how long they can be used. Use a family agreement template to get started.

Check out the InternetMatters website for more top tips!

Guide for Parents and Carers

More Useful Links

Thinkuknow by the National Crime Agency – Child Exploitation and Online Protection command (NCA-CEOP) – resources for parents and carers and children of all ages to help keep children safe online

Childnet has developed guidance for parents and carers to begin a conversation about online safety, as well as guidance on keeping under-fives safe online

Parent Info is a collaboration between Parent Zone and NCA-CEOP – support and guidance for parents and carers related to the digital world from leading experts and organisations

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) – guidance for parents and carers to help keep children safe online

UK Safer Internet Centre – tips and advice for parents and carers to keep children safe online – you can also report any harmful content found online through the UK Safer Internet Centre

Inclusive Digital Safety Hub and Online Safety Hub, created by South West Grid for Learning in partnership with Internet Matters – support and tailored advice for young people with additional learning needs and their parents or carers

Parents’ Guide to Age Ratings explains how the British Board of Film Classification rates content, and gives parents advice on choosing online content well

The Children’s Commissioner has published advice for parents on talking to your child about online sexual harassment specifically, based on input from children themselves

Photos By: Kaboompics.com

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Many schools have open evenings and other events to help you find out more about their school before applying. Check their websites for details.

For more information and to apply, please click here.

A helpful guide for parents is available on the Bristol Early Years website.

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If your child is starting school soon, you can sign up for their Toilet Train campaign to support you with getting your child toilet-ready for school.

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Support for Inter-Parental Communication

Are you a parent of a child aged 8-14 and facing challenges in your relationship with your partner or ex? SIPCo offers FREE support to help improve communication and reduce conflict. Whether you’re experiencing arguments, shouting, or a complete communication breakdown, their services are here for you. They provide relationship therapy through Tavistock Relationships and access to online resources for self-paced learning. Don’t let language barriers hold you back; we offer translation services if needed.

Summer Stress Relief for Parents

This event, which you can join on Friday 2nd August or Tuesday 6th August is perfect for parents with children aged 8 to 14 years, especially those experiencing increased arguments or noticing changes in their child’s behaviour due to parental tensions. Join this event to learn about a free support project in your area, hear from Gina Pazienza, their Parental Relationship Practitioner, and discover ways to ease the stress of parenting.

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• Workshop 1: Understanding Children’s Behaviour, Listening and Communicating, Praise and Encouragement
• Workshop 2: Praise and Guidance vs. Criticism, Child-led Play and Positive Moments
• Workshop 3: Boundaries and Parenting Styles, Time to Calm Down, Dealing with Stress and Conflict
• Workshop 4: Choices and Consequences, Behaviour to Ignore, Putting the Puzzle Together, Looking After Ourselves

If you are interested in taking part, please register your interest here.

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The following websites can support your child’s transition to school.

The Bristol Years website has a useful parent’s guide to positive transitions.

 Check out the Words for Life website’s countdown to school and nursery page. This website has lots of other useful parents’ guides.

We also recommended When should my child be able to write their name? from Words for Life.

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