Q: What To Do If Parents Want To Wake Their Child Early And The Child Is Tired?

[Lorina]

If parents request that their child be woken early, but the child is still tired, it's important to balance the parents' preferences with the child's well-being.
Educators in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings are guided by the Education and Care Services National Regulations and their service's specific policies regarding sleep and rest.

These regulations emphasise that children's individual needs, including their sleep and rest requirements, must be respected and met. While there isn't a blanket rule about waking children up, educators are expected to consider each child's age, developmental stage, and individual needs.

Read More: Child's Sleep Needs

,
Lorina

[Wilkins54]

When parents request their child to be woken early but I can see the child is still exhausted, I put the child’s wellbeing first. Regulations and service policies are clear that children’s individual sleep needs should be respected. I consider the child’s age, how they’re behaving, and how much rest they’ve already had. If I decide not to wake them, I communicate openly with the parents and explain that the decision was based on the child’s needs, not convenience. In my experience, most parents understand when it’s explained clearly and respectfully.