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Professional Development & Staff Training
for Childcare Programs
Supporting educators through sleep, rest time, and regulation—with compassion and clarity.
How I Support Childcare Programs
At Little Sleep Wonders, I provide professional development and staff training for daycare centers and early childhood programs, with a focus on sleep, rest, and emotional regulation in young children.
These trainings are designed to support educators during one of the most challenging parts of the day—rest time—especially when children no longer nap or have difficulty settling.
My approach is developmentally appropriate, practical, and grounded in real classroom experiences. I understand the balance educators must maintain, and I offer strategies that are both effective and realistic to implement.
My goal is not to “fix” children or place blame on staff or families. Instead, I help educators understand why rest time can be challenging and provide calm, supportive strategies that meet the needs of all children—whether they are sleeping or simply learning to rest.
Interested in bringing this training to your program?
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What Makes These Trainings Different
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These sessions are thoughtfully designed to support real classrooms, real challenges, and real children.
✔ Practical and realistic for busy classroom environments
✔ Developmentally appropriate and respectful of each child’s needs
✔ Focused on guidance and prevention—not punishment
✔ Supportive of educator well-being and overall classroom flow
Educators leave feeling validated, supported, and equipped with tools they can confidently use right away.
Each training also includes printable handouts for easy classroom reference and a certificate of attendance documenting professional development hours.
Because supported educators create calmer, more successful classrooms.
Training Topics
Trainings can be offered as stand-alone sessions or customized to meet the unique needs of your program.
Common topics include:
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Supporting non-nappers during rest time
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Developmentally appropriate sleep and rest expectations
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The connection between sleep, behavior, and emotional regulation
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Creating calm rest-time routines and transitions
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Responding to rest-time disruptions with confidence
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Communicating with families about sleep and rest challenges
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Additional topics are available upon request.
What to Expect from a Training
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Clear, easy-to-understand explanations of why some children struggle with rest time
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Practical strategies for supporting non-nappers without disrupting others
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Step-by-step guidance for managing rest-time challenges with confidence
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Supportive, respectful language educators can use with children
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Tools and techniques to reduce stress and improve overall classroom flow
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Printable handouts and a certificate of attendance for professional development documentation
Training is available in person or virtually, depending on your program’s needs and location.
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Designed to leave your team feeling confident, supported, and ready to implement right away.
Who These Trainings Are For
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Daycare and childcare centers
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Preschool and early learning programs
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Early childhood educators and support staff
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Programs supporting toddlers and preschoolers transitioning out of naps
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If your program is navigating rest-time challenges, these trainings are designed to support you.
Scheduling & Investment
Training sessions are customized based on your program’s needs, including session length, format (in-person or virtual), and group size.
Once details are confirmed, a proposal and invoice will be provided.
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Ready to bring this training to your team?
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Questions? Email info@littlesleepwonders.com or call 319-213-2999
About the Trainer
Trainings are led by Tara O’Connor, Founder & Certified Sleep Specialist at Little Sleep Wonders.
Tara brings a compassionate, educational approach to sleep and rest challenges, shaped by both professional experience and her own personal journey. With a lifelong background working with children, she understands the real dynamics of early childhood environments and the challenges educators face each day.
She is passionate about helping caregivers and educators feel confident, supported, and empowered as they navigate sleep and rest in early childhood settings.
