At our Centre, we’re always looking for ways to support the well-being of our children and families, and sleep is a big part of that! Last year we were thrilled to welcome Georgina Wysiecki, founder of the Woodlands Sleep Collective, for an informative session on children’s sleep.

Georgina, a certified child sleep consultant based in Vancouver, joined us to chat with both families and educators about all things sleep—a topic that can often feel overwhelming and complex. Representatives from our Jacaranda, Bottlebrush, and Coral rooms attended, including Holly, Shelly, Kasha, Rochelle, Jo, and Hayley. We found the session incredibly insightful and wanted to share some of Georgina’s top takeaways with you.

Key Sleep Tips from Georgina

While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach—each child is unique!—Georgina shared some general strategies that can help support healthy sleep habits:

1. Consistency is key: Try to keep bedtimes and wake-up times the same each day, even on weekends.
2. Well-timed naps: Ensure naps are timed appropriately during the day, with enough “awake time” before bedtime.
3. Physical activity: Encourage lots of movement and high-energy play, especially in the lead-up to bedtime.
4. Nutritious meals: Full tummies and good nutrition contribute to better sleep.
5. Watch for signs of disordered breathing: If your child snores, grinds their teeth, or sleeps with an open mouth (and doesn’t have a cold), consider speaking to your GP.
6. Trouble falling or staying asleep? A later bedtime may help if your child struggles with long nighttime wake-ups.
7. Patience with change: Allow at least two weeks for any changes in sleep routines to take effect.
8. Limit screen time: Avoid screens for at least 2.5 hours before bed.
9. Create a predictable routine: A consistent wind-down routine helps children transition to sleep more easily.
10. Make time for connection: Aim for at least 10–20 minutes of focused, undistracted time with your child after pickup or during the evening.

Why Connection Matters

One point that resonated deeply with many parents was Georgina’s emphasis on connection. After a long day apart, it’s easy to fall into the hustle of dinner, dishes, and bedtime routines. But to a child, this can feel like more time away from the people they’ve missed all day. Taking just 10–20 minutes of distraction-free time to reconnect—no phones, no tasks—can ease the transition to bedtime, reduce challenging behaviors, and support emotional well-being.

Sleep Needs by Age

Georgina also highlighted the importance of looking at the entire 24-hour day when considering your child’s sleep needs. Generally:

1. 2-year-olds need 11–14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.
2. 3-year-olds need 10–13 hours, though this varies with activity levels, illness, and daily routines.

At our Centre, we support children’s individual sleep needs. If your child no longer naps at home, we provide a quiet space for meaningful rest. If a ‘no longer napping’ child does fall asleep at childcare, we will gently wake them after one sleep cycle (about 45 minutes), in line with our safe sleep policy. If we notice sleep (or lack of it) affecting your child during the day, we’ll always connect with you to discuss the best way forward—because your child’s well-being is our top priority.

Helpful Resources

To learn more about Georgina’s approach and explore additional tools, visit www.woodlandscollective.ca or follow her on Instagram at @woodlands.collective.sleep.

We’re grateful to Georgina for her time and expertise, and we look forward to continuing to support your child’s healthy sleep habits together.

— The Margaret Ives Team