How do I get my almost 4yrs old to stay in bed?!

[BionicEar]

Our LO has started waking up at crack of the dawn. We have tried various tatics to get her to stay in her room - like putting stairgate on, but she gas figured how to open. We said she could play in her room until we came in, but this isn't workign as up in the wee hours and then very grouchy by lunchtime and she won't sleep in the day.

Can anyone recommend any tips or products that would help?

Cabin lock on outside of door. We have one for ds (also almost 4) because he sleep walks

Have you tried a reward chart?

Not tried reward chart... might be worth a shot.

Don't think cabin lock would work, in that she would still be up and playing when should be asleep! Also bit reluntant to use locks on doors for safety reasons etc.

What about the clocks where you set an appropriate getting up time? Argos do them

Ooh do you have a link for these - bunny clock that is?

Bunny clock

Is it practical to reset your/her routine so that everything happens an hour eariler? If this works then you simply move bedtime forward 10 mins at a time.

what is it she wants when she gets up? regularly we have to leave snacks and drinks for our children because thay are hungry

your nearly four year old should understand what your saying...we say if you get up early you will go to bed early, and there will be less time for playing/bath/story etc in evening. also i say if mummy doesn't get enough sleep then i'm bad tempered (true) and my ds (whos 4 hates that!)

wouldn't be keen on a lock on door...it would induce absolute panic in my child.

threaten her with going back in a cot (very mean i know.....)