“Will my baby sleep at nursery?” is one of the first questions parents ask us. At home you know the signs, the favourite blanket and the exact way your child likes to be settled.

The good news is that daytime sleep is a normal part of a nursery day, and most children get used to resting in a new place within a few weeks. This guide explains how naps usually work for babies and toddlers in full-day care, what official guidance says about sleep, and how you can help from home. If you are still choosing care, our daycare in Sharjah page explains the morning and full-day options at Balloon Nursery.

How much sleep do young children need?

Every child is different, and the NHS is clear that sleep patterns vary from one baby to the next. As a rough guide, the NHS page on helping your baby to sleep gives these averages over 24 hours, including daytime naps:

  • 6 to 12 months: some babies sleep for around 15 hours, most of it at night.
  • From 12 months: around 12 to 15 hours in total.
  • 2 years: about 12 to 14 hours, including naps in the daytime.
  • 3 to 5 years: about 12 hours. Some young children still need a nap during the day.

So a baby may need several naps in a day, a toddler usually moves to one longer rest after lunch, and a 3-year-old may only need quiet time. These changes happen at different ages for different children, and that is normal.

How naps usually work in a nursery

Good nurseries do not expect every child to sleep at the same time in the same way. In general, this is what parents can expect:

  • Babies follow their own rhythm. Young babies sleep when they are tired, not by the clock. Carers watch for sleepy signs such as rubbing eyes, yawning or going quiet, and follow the pattern you share from home.
  • Toddlers rest together after lunch. Once children are on one nap a day, most nurseries have a calm rest time in the middle of the day, with the room dimmed and quiet.
  • Children who do not sleep still rest. Older children who have dropped their nap can look at books or play quietly so their bodies get a break.
  • The wind-down is the same every day. A nappy change or toilet visit, a quiet song or story, then bed. A predictable routine tells children what comes next.

For a closer look at how the youngest children spend their day, read a day in the infant room.

Safe sleep for babies

Safe sleep advice applies to every sleep, day and night, at home and in care. The NHS safer sleep advice for babies up to 12 months includes:

  • always place your baby on their back to sleep;
  • use a firm, flat mattress;
  • keep the cot clear of pillows, duvets, bumpers, loose blankets and soft toys;
  • do not let your baby get too hot or too cold.

When you visit any nursery, it is fine to ask where babies sleep, how they are put down and how often they are checked.

Why some children nap better (or worse) at nursery

Many parents are surprised to hear that their child, who fights every nap at home, lies down with the group at nursery. Seeing other children rest, a busy morning of play and a steady routine all help. Other children take longer. A new room, new sounds and a new person settling them is a lot to get used to, so short naps in the first weeks are common.

How you can help from home

  • Share your child’s pattern. Tell the nursery when your child usually sleeps, for how long, and what helps: a dummy, a song, a hand on the tummy.
  • Send a comfort item if the nursery allows it. For toddlers, a familiar comforter can make a new bed feel safer. Ask what is fine to bring. For babies under 12 months, the cot stays clear.
  • Keep evenings calm and regular. The NHS recommends a calming, predictable bedtime routine at the same time each night, and no screens in the 30 to 60 minutes before bed.

If drop-off itself is the hard part, our guide to crying at nursery drop-off may help.

When naps at nursery affect the night

For children under five who struggle to settle at bedtime, the NHS advises avoiding long naps in the afternoon. If your toddler is suddenly wide awake at night, talk to the nursery about the length and timing of the daytime rest. If you are worried about your child’s sleep, or they seem very tired most days, talk to your paediatrician.

How Balloon Nursery does it

Balloon Nursery in Al Ghafia, Sharjah, cares for children from 45 days old up to 4 years and is open every day from 6:30am to 7:30pm, with early drop-off from 6:00am on request. Families can choose morning or full-day care. We follow the British EYFS curriculum with Montessori-style, hands-on learning, and children hear Arabic and English every day. The nursery is licensed by the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA). When you book a visit, ask us to show you where babies and toddlers rest and tell us about your child’s sleep at home. You can also read about our infant care and toddler programme.

Would you like to see the rooms for yourself? Book a visit or message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 342 8582.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my baby be able to sleep at nursery?

Most babies do, though it can take a few weeks to get used to a new place. Sharing your baby’s sleep pattern and what helps them settle makes it easier for the carers to follow the same approach.

Do all children have to nap at the same time?

No. Young babies usually sleep when they are tired. Toddlers on one nap a day often rest together after lunch, and older children who no longer sleep can have quiet time instead.

How much daytime sleep does a 2-year-old need?

The NHS says most 2-year-olds need about 12 to 14 hours of sleep in 24 hours, including daytime naps. Every child is different, so the length of the nap varies.

My toddler will not sleep at night since starting nursery. What can I do?

The NHS advises avoiding long afternoon naps for children who struggle at bedtime. Ask the nursery how long your child slept and agree any changes together. If you are worried, talk to your paediatrician.