Height off the floor in case they fall off and mattress size.

Single beds are higher and longer

A toddler bed is usually shorter and lower. We shifted our daughter when she got too tall – she didn’t want to move earlier. With my sons we moved them when they were comfortable climbing in and out of a big bed.

Single beds are slightly higher. I don’t think there is a set time to move from one to the other.

There is not a huge amount of difference between a single bed and a toddler bed – a toddler bed is shorter and usually lower so easier to get into. Depending on what single bed you choose, so long as it’s not too high set your toddler can move up as soon as you’re ready to buy a single bed.

Yes, it also means you need to double check when buying sheets now because of the different sizes between toddler and single bed.

I think toddler beds are just shorter than singles

yep a toddler bed is not as long as a single bed, it is as long as a cot mattress and is low to the ground. the one that we have has the sides already on it. these are really cute though.

Thank you DBHall for your comment, very helpfull

Toddler bed is usually the same size as a cot mattress so a lot smaller then a single bed. We went straight from cot to single bed when she started to try and climb out of the cot (a month before she turned two). If you are worried about them falling out you can buy bed rails to put on the side of the bed.