Sleep is one of the fundamental pillars of child health and development, and for families struggling with bedtime battles, night wakings, or overtired children, a skilled sleep professional can be a lifeline. If you have a passion for supporting children and families, becoming a certified sleep practitioner is a fulfilling and impactful career path.

Here’s how to get started and how the London School of Childcare Studies

What is a Sleep Practitioner?

A certified sleep practitioner works closely with parents and carers to assess sleep challenges, create tailored sleep plans, and support families through the process of improving sleep routines.

The aim of a certified sleep practitioner is to work with the client, gathering relevant information in order to determine the likely cause of  disrupted or problematic sleep. Once the most probable cause is identified, the next step is to devise an appropriate plan and guide the parents in implementing it.

Another key skill of the certified sleep practitioner is to know when an issue looks to have a  medical or other health-related basis that goes beyond the expertise of the practitioner, and to then signpost the parents to seek guidance from the relevant expert.

Sleep practitioners, over time, may choose to specialise in certain areas, such as specific age groups, or children with disabilities or who are neurodivergent.

Step-by-Step: Becoming a Certified Sleep Practitioner

1. Assess your interest and background

You don’t need to be a health professional to become a sleep practitoner. Many practitioners come from backgrounds such as:

• Early years education
  
  
• Childcare or nannying
  
  
• Health visiting or midwifery
  
  
• Personal parenting experience
  
  

What matters most is a genuine desire to support families and a willingness to learn.

2. Choose a reputable training programme

The Sleep Practitioner Programme offered by the London School of Childcare Studies is a leading example in the UK. This comprehensive, OCN Level 6–accredited course covers:

• Understanding healthy sleep, and what can prevent this
• The science of sleep in infants and young children
  
  
• Behavioural sleep intervention techniques
  
  
• Assessing cases and devising age-appropriate sleep plans
  
  
• Working with families in a professional setting and empowering them to implement corrective actions
  
  
• Understanding differences for children with special needs 

You’ll learn directly from experts in the field from experienced practitioners and clinical physicians,  and receive both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

3. Gain real-world experience

After completing your training, it’s important to build confidence and apply your learning in practice. The School provides ongoing support to help graduates as they cross from student to practitioner. 

4. Set up your practice or career path

Certified sleep experts can choose from a variety of flexible career options:

• Work as a freelance sleep consultant
  
  
• Join a childcare or early years service
  
  
• Collaborate with GPs, health visitors or parenting groups
  
  
• Offer online or in-person consultations
  
  

You may also decide to specialise such as focusing on newborns, neurodivergent children, or supporting families with multiple children.

Why Choose the London School of Childcare Studies?

• Accredited training (OCN Level 6)
  
  
• Expert-led content developed by leading professionals
  
  
• Flexible virtual learning with practical components
  
  
• Access to a like-minded community of early years professionals
  
  
• Ongoing CPD options, including webinars and niche courses (like sleep in neurodivergent children)
  
  

Whether you’re just beginning or want to add sleep consultancy to an existing childcare role, the Sleep Practitioner Programme gives you everything you need to build a respected, impactful practice.

Becoming a certified sleep practitioner is about listening to and understanding families and their issues, to then determine what the reasons are for these, and then to address these and support families to implement them. If you’re ready to take the next step in your professional journey, the London School of Childcare Studies offers the ideal platform to help you succeed.

Explore the Sleep Practitioner Programme from the London School of Childcare Studies and join a growing community of professionals helping families sleep better, feel better, and thrive