Navigating Daycare Sleep: What to Expect and How to Prepare
Starting daycare is a big milestone for both parents and little ones — and with it often comes one of the most common questions I hear: what will happen with sleep?
The truth is: it’s completely normal for daycare sleep to feel a little bumpy at first. Big feelings at drop-off, big feelings at bedtime, and an adjustment period that requires plenty of patience and support from everyone involved. But with a little preparation, good communication, and realistic expectations, your child’s sleep can settle beautifully into this new routine.
Here are a few tips I share with families heading into this new chapter:
1. Talk to Daycare in Advance About Your Sleep Goals
When children are in infant rooms, many daycare providers will happily accommodate your desired schedule. Share your child’s current nap times, wake windows, and feeding patterns so they have a clear sense of what’s working at home.
Keep in mind: as your child graduates to toddler rooms, schedules often become more standardized. While this is a natural part of daycare structure, early communication can help ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.
2. Share Your Sleep Approach
If your child is already sleeping independently, let the daycare team know — and share your routine so they can mirror familiar steps. It’s perfectly okay to suggest that while a bit of additional comfort is fine during the adjustment, they should give your child a chance to self-settle or resettle before intervening.
If your child isn’t yet sleeping independently, that’s okay too. Share your routine, what works best for your child, and consider whether you may want to work on independent sleep either prior to starting daycare or using a long weekend as an opportunity for a reset once they’ve started.
3. Send Comfort Items from Home
Familiar items can make a big difference. Be sure to send their sleep sack, lovey, pacifier (if they use one), and any other comfort items that will make the sleep space feel safe and familiar.
If your daycare doesn’t use white noise, you can offer to purchase and gift a machine for the room — many providers are open to it, and it can be incredibly helpful in a multi-child sleep space.
4.Trust Your Daycare Providers
Daycare staff truly care about your child’s well-being and will do everything they can to help make this transition a positive one. Give them a little time to get to know both your child and you. In most cases, daycare professionals err on the side of caution — meaning they’re likely to offer more comfort rather than less during this period of adjustment.
While most centers are eager to partner with you on sleep goals, there may be times when certain requests can’t be accommodated due to ministry or state regulations. One common example is capping naps as your child approaches dropping a nap — some daycares aren’t allowed to wake sleeping children. In these situations, speak to the staff kindly, share your goals, and if possible, offer quiet activities (books, crafts, etc.) your child can do if they happen to wake earlier on their own.
5. Don’t Panic if Sleep Isn’t Perfect at First
It’s completely normal for naps to be shorter or more inconsistent as your child adjusts to their new environment. The key is not to overcompensate by pushing bedtimes later. In fact, earlier bedtimes often become your best friend during daycare transitions.
6. Keep Bedtime Routines Consistent
Now more than ever, your child needs the comfort of a familiar bedtime routine. That extra connection and reassurance will help them unwind after a busy day and signal that home is still their safe, predictable place.
7. Expect Some Emotional Spillover at Home
While this isn’t a sleep tip directly, it’s very common for children to “mask” while at daycare — meaning they hold things together during the day and release their emotions once they’re home. You may see more clinginess, extra tantrums, or meltdowns in the evenings. This is normal as they process their new environment. Be patient, offer extra snuggles, and know that with time, this too will settle.
8. Allow a Bit of Catch-Up Sleep if Needed
If naps are short, it's okay to allow a bit of extra sleep in the mornings or on weekends to help them reset — while still keeping total sleep around 12–12.5 hours in 24 hours to stay on track.
The bottom line: daycare transitions are big. They require grace, consistency, and a little flexibility as everyone adjusts. Rest assured — your child’s sleep will find its rhythm again, and in the meantime, you’re giving them the skills and support they need to thrive in their new routine.
Worried about sleep heading into daycare?
If you're feeling unsure about how sleep will go with this transition, you're not alone. Sometimes a bit of focused support ahead of daycare can make all the difference. If you’re considering working on independent sleep or simply want a plan in place so everyone feels confident heading into Day 1, we’d love to chat.
👉 Book a free discovery call with us here.
Author: Andria Gordon
Andria Gordon is the Founder of Have Baby. Must Sleep., a leading child sleep consulting agency. As a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, she has helped over 2,000 families get the rest they need. She regularly speaks to parent groups, daycares, and preschools, and her work has been featured on Global News Canada.
Andria co-founded a certification course focused on Children’s Sleep and Medical Conditions, and is a proud member of several professional associations. A former senior ad executive, she’s known for providing warm, high-touch support to every family she serves.
Follow her on Instagram @havebabymustsleep for sleep tips and expert insights.
About Have Baby. Must Sleep.
Have Baby. Must Sleep. is a leading pediatric sleep consultancy supporting families with children ages 0 to 5. The team specializes in high-touch, fully customized sleep coaching designed to fit each family's unique lifestyle and values.
Founded and run by a mom who know firsthand the toll of sleepless nights, Have Baby. Must Sleep. offers compassionate, expert-led support that goes beyond one-size-fits-all advice. With over 2000 families helped and a sole focus on pediatric sleep, the team brings deep knowledge, proven methods, and a commitment to getting families the rest they need and deserve.
Learn more at www.havebabymustsleep.com.
