ABSTRACT
This study examines the transition from biphasic to monophasic sleep in preschool children aged 3–5 years by characterising nap behaviours. Parent-reported data from 1498 preschool children in France were analysed using latent class analysis, considering nap frequency, duration, timing and acceptance at home and school. Five distinct profiles were identified: regular, frequent, school, home and non-nappers. While several profiles followed an expected age-related pattern, two reflected discrepancies between home and school nap practices, suggesting the influence of environmental constraints beyond biological maturation. Context-dependent profiles showed signs of sleep misalignment: school nappers exhibited more sleep onset difficulties, whereas older home nappers showed greater daytime fatigue despite normal nighttime sleep, suggesting unmet sleep needs. Together, these findings indicate that nap cessation reflects a dynamic interplay between developmental maturation and contextual factors, rather than age alone. The results support flexible and individualised preschool nap practices, rather than uniform policies based solely on chronological age.