DS2 is 3.6. He was in a lovely pattern of sleeping through until 6am (sounds early, I know, but we can deal with that) but in recent weeks has started waking at anything from 4.30am onwards, and that's it. He is by turns stroppy, bossy or annoyingly cheerful, but by the time I'm getting them all out to school at 8.15 he's hit the wall and lies on the floor crying with exhaustion.
I'm a veteran of three sleepless babies / early risers, so believe me when I say I've done all the crying it out, stairgates on doors etc.
Problem is, a bright, big-for-his-age 3.6 y.o can open stairgates, and he's certainly not in a cot anymore.
We've looked at why he might be waking, and tried putting warmer covers on his bed. He goes to nursery two mornings and two full school days each week and he gets lots of physical exercise to tire him out.
One problem is potentially food-related. Because he wakes so early, he's exhausted by his meal time and so doesn't eat properly. So possibly he's waking with hunger.
Anyway, after my 4.45am start this morning I'm too tired to think coherently, so if you have any fresh ideas, please bring 'em on.