Any tips for helping 5 yr old to get to sleep?

[Mim78]

I have a daughter nearly 5 who has just started school.

Recently she has had trouble getting to sleep and then is tired in the morning.

We have dinner at 6 ish usually - was 5.30 today. She has a bath before bed and we read stories before putting the lights out.

Sometimes she requests a snack before bed - I have been told in some quarters that this can actually be helpful.

Any tips on helping her to sleep? She can be quiet upset when she is unable to. Tonight the light went out at 7.45 (probably a bit late for some) but it was nearly 9 before she went to sleep. Then obviously she is too tired in the mornings and has to be woken up at 7.30.

She didn't really have problems before but she has never been a very tired child. My concern is this is leaving her tired in the morning.

Just after any helpful tips really. Not overly concerned as will probably sort itself out in time but wondered if I could have benefit of your wisdom...

I'm not sure you'll get her to sleep much earlier if she is naturally a night owl - my DS2 is like this and will happily sleep til 9am at the weekend but struggles to sleep before 9/9H30 at night.

We use story CDs a lot with him, he at least stays in bed and rests while listening to them.

The only danger is they stay awake to listen to it all so short episodes are maybe better?

Have been using CDs but wondered the same thing - does it keep her awake?

I was a night owl and remember that lying in bed awake was horrible. Think I was put to bed much earlier though.