Sleep/switching off in nearly 5

[Pedestriana]

DD is approaching 5 and started school this Sept. She loves it. She's outgoing, able to explain herself, on target with reading/writing/etc.
Over the past few weeks she's had on/off colds and a virus. Been seen by the GP and no issues there.
She's not anxious about going to bed. She's not anxious about school. Home life is settled. Neighbours quiet and considerate.
However, of late, she's having real problems settling down to go to sleep. We have a reasonable routine - milk, sit for 5 mins, toilet, teeth, PJ's on, bed with a story. This starts around 7.20pm, and she's in bed for 7.40

She just can't seem to settle down at all. Can't lay still, can't be quiet. It seems as if mentally she's still thrashing out what's happened during the day (lots of playing and fun stuff). Or she'll decide to ask obscure questions ("What are clouds made of?", "Is there really a man on the moon?", "What is a virus?") and press for answers.
I've tried reading extra stories, limiting screen time (TV after school whilst she has a snack), I've tried soothing music, cuddles, letting her play quietly, making her get up, getting to bed earlier, getting to bed later, having a bath, not having a bath....

Tonight it took nearly 2 hours of me having to keep going in to her.

Once she's asleep it's fine, but she has trouble waking in time for school. I don't want her to end up being overtired during the daytime and unable to focus or enjoy her time in the classroom.

Any ideas before I pull all my hair out?

[MotiSen]

How is her exercise level?

[Pedestriana]

Doesn't keep still! :)

Dance class weekly, PE twice weekly and spends 90% of her time running around/jumping/dancing.

Once a week at least we do a long walk into town and back (3 mile round trip).

[MotiSen]

Er, that exhausted my suggestions. She sounds like a delightful child! The epitome of what people mean when they say, "I wish I had your energy." : )

[rumbelina]

She sounds exactly like DS, just turned 5. Plenty of exercise, eats well, loves school, sleeps fine once asleep. Just perpetually excited. I think it's a lot to do with processing school and learning and new skills. He was the same when he was learning to walk/talk. Brain going 15 to the dozen.

We try to keep to the same routine. We often read to him, say goodnight then let him 'read' on his own for 10 minutes, it can really calm him. Most of the time he turns out his light before we go back up. He does sometimes get scared of the dark and this can really mess things up. If he's having one of 'those' evenings one of us just gets in bed with him and he usually falls asleep within 10/15 minutes.

[BathshebaDarkstone]

DD's 8 and has always been like this. I can leave her for an hour though to read or play and she'll drift off. Would your DD do that?

[beela]

DS is like this sometimes (also just started reception). Some evenings he is up and down the stairs, even though he is clearly tired.

He's got a CD player in his room so sometimes music or a story CD helps.

[Pedestriana]

Thanks all - yes it's true that everyone says to her "I wish I had your energy." I was expecting that once she started school, she'd be tired, but no!

I think we need to work towards leaving her to read/play more. She has no TV or music player in her bedroom - am thinking about getting the latter and some calming CD's at Christmas. She's good in as much as she doesn't get up out of bed, but will call down to us. OR grizzle (if very tired).

I shall try it out as of next week I think. Got to be better than being up there every 10 minutes trying to say soothing, calming things.