Adjusting to a new sleep routine can be a challenge for toddlers and preschoolers, especially when rest time starts happening in a new environment. Whether your little one is beginning their preschool journey or moving to a new classroom, sleep is one of the most common transitions families navigate with their child care provider.
Just like potty training or learning to share, rest time is a skill that grows best when parents and educators work as a team. By understanding how your provider approaches sleep and how you can reinforce those routines at home, you’ll help your child feel comfortable, secure and ready to recharge each day.
Learning your provider’s approach to rest time
Every classroom's sleep routine is slightly different, but learning what to expect beforehand can help prepare you (and your little one) for the transition. At Kiddie Academy®, a daily schedule sets aside a consistent sleep or quiet period each afternoon, helping little ones learn to recognize when it’s time to relax. Ask your child’s teachers what that time looks like:
- Do they rest on individual cots or mats?
- Is soft music or white noise played during rest time?
- Are stretches, breathing exercises or stories part of the wind-down routine?
Understanding the rhythm of your child’s day not only builds comfort, but also helps you mimic those cues at home, reinforcing predictability and consistency for your toddler.
Align school and home routines
If your little one already has a routine at home that doesn't fit the timing of the school’s, work with your teacher to gradually adjust your toddler into their routine. For instance, if your preschooler usually sleeps around 11 a.m. but rest time at the Academy is closer to 1 p.m., try shifting your weekend rest routine by 15 minutes each day until their schedules align.
Children thrive on consistency. When rest time feels familiar in both environments through similar timing and wind-down rituals, they’re more likely to settle down quickly and sleep soundly. Even small additions, like saying “it’s time to rest” at both home and school, can create soothing continuity for your toddler.
Have a comfort item
For many small children, a comfort item can make rest time easier. Ask your provider what's allowed in the sleep area and consider bringing your little one a comfort item to ease the transition, such as:
- A pacifier or teether
- Small blanket (for older children)
- A favorite stuffed animal (for older children)
Having something familiar nearby can help ease separation anxiety and build positive associations around resting. If your preschooler is transitioning away from certain sleep props (such as bottles or pacifiers), let the teachers know so they can support that process consistently during rest time too.
Expect (and don't fret about) sleep regressions
Even the best nappers experience hiccups when going through big transitions. Starting at a new school, moving to a different classroom or dropping from two rest times to one can temporarily disrupt your child’s sleep patterns.
It’s completely normal if your toddler resists resting, takes shorter rests or seems extra tired in the evenings during the first few weeks. Communicate openly with your child’s teachers so they’ll be able to share what they’re seeing during the day and offer strategies that work in the classroom, such as extra wind-down time, a quieter sleeping area or gentle reassurance for your little one.
Keep the conversation going
Sleep routines evolve as children grow, so regular check-ins with your little ones' teachers can make a big difference. Ask for updates:
- How long is your child sleeping?
- Do they fall asleep easily or need more help to settle?
- Are they still tired when they wake?
Likewise, share what you’re noticing at home — whether bedtime is creeping later or your toddler has started skipping rest time altogether. When families and educators regularly exchange this kind of information, it ensures everyone is working toward the same goal: helping your child get the rest they need to learn, grow and thrive.
