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Reception age (4–5 years): school, sleep and development

Stage: 4–5 years

Sleep

usually no nap needed any more

Feeding

Eats fully with the family; school rhythm now also means a healthy packed lunch or school dinners, and fruit for snack time. Stay cautious with sugary drinks — water is the norm for school.

Nappy size

Almost always dry day and night.

Development at this stage

• Tells coherent stories
• Hops, balances and climbs confidently
• Recognises letters and numbers, may write own name
• Plays cooperatively with clear rules
• Increasingly able to empathise with others

Care & things to watch

• Compulsory school age: children must be in full-time education from the term after their 5th birthday (most start reception at 4)
• Check the red book: the pre-school booster (4-in-1) and the second MMR(V) dose should both be done by now — important protection before school outbreaks of measles and whooping cough
• Swimming lessons: water confidence can start from age 4; swimming is part of the national curriculum in primary school, but earlier lessons build safety around water
• Vitamin D: from age 4, a daily 10 microgram supplement is still advised in autumn and winter (year-round for darker skin or little time outdoors)
• Reception health checks: height, weight, vision and hearing are screened in the first school year
• Practise road safety actively: walking and cycling together, naming safe crossing points, high-vis in winter
• Build the school rhythm: a fixed bedtime matters more now — a reception child still needs 10–12 hours of sleep a night

Other ages: 0–6 weeks · 6–12 weeks · 3–4 months · 4–6 months · 6–9 months · 9–12 months · 12–18 months · 18–24 months · 2–3 years · 3–4 years