How can I help my 4yr fall asleep before 9?

[SuperBunny]

He is tired. He spends all day (up to 9 hrs) at nursery and I usually have to wake him up at 7 each morning because he no longer wakes before then.

We get home from nursery between 5 & 5.30, have a snack/ supper, bath, stories (2 short ones) and bed around 7. He NEVER falls asleep before 8.30 and often later. He reads, listens to story tapes, plays and occasionally comes out to ask me something. I just wish he'd settle earlier because he really needs more sleep.

Any suggestions?

Nope, no nap. He hasn't napped since he was 2.

What happens if you tell him he can't play? Sory tapes only and darken the room. Maybe he'd be so bored he'd drop off?

If he's not allowed to play, he talks to himself, sings loudly, reads books, changes his CD...

I have confiscated books, toys and CD played in the past but nothing helps.

I do think a blackout blind might help but we're in a rented flat and cannot put holes in anything so I am not sure how I could put one up.

Does he have curtains? You can get blackout lining for curtains, if you think that's the issue.

Or you can ask your landlord, who I don't think is allowed to deny a reasonable request from a tenant - which yours would be.

you can get black out blinds that stick to the windows. hang on

www.bumpto3.com/gro/gro_misc/gro_anywhere_blind

Reward chart with stickers for every morning if he managed to fall asleep by 8pm with a treat (eg trip to the park) at the end of every week?

That blind looks good, thanks.

We haven't done a reward chart as such but when I asked what he'd like if he went to bed and stayed there quietly and he said '5p' so that's what he gets. Except he never gets them. Maybe Buzz Lightyear stickers would be a better incentive.

Oddly, he was asleep before 7 tonight