The safety and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority. We are committed to providing a safe sleeping environment for babies and young children by following the current safer sleep guidance and the requirements of the EYFS.
The policy aims to reduce the risk of sudden infant death and sleep-related accidents whilst ensuring that children’s individual sleep needs are met.
It applies to all children who sleep whilst attending the nursery.
We will:
- Provide a safe sleep environment at all times
- Follow current safer sleep guidance
- Work in partnership with parents
- Ensure all staff receive safer sleep training before caring for babies
- Regularly monitor sleeping children
- Maintain accurate sleep records
- Assess individual sleep needs and risks
All babies under 12 months will sleep in a cot that meets current safety standards:
- With a firm, flat, well-fitting mattress
- Without pillows
- Without quilts or duvets
- Without cot bumpers
- Without nests, pods or sleep positioners
- Without loose blankets that could cover the face
- Without soft toys
- Without comforters attached to the cot
Only fitted sheets supplied by the nursery will be used.
Children will never be put to sleep on sofas, beanbags, cushions or in pushchairs.
Babies who are not yet independently able to roll will always be placed on their back to sleep.
Once a baby can consistently roll from back to front and front to back, staff will continue to place them on their back initially but will not repeatedly reposition them if they roll over naturally.
Babies will never be placed on their side to sleep.
The sleep room will be maintained at a comfortable temperature, ideally between 16 to 20 degrees C, where reasonably practicable.
Staff will:
- Dress children appropriately
- Remove hats before sleeping
- Avoid excessive bedding
- Check babies regularly
If sleep bags are used, they must:
- Be the correct size
- Be suitable for the room temperature
- Allow free movement
- Fit securely around the neck and arms
Sleeping children will be monitored regularly throughout their sleep, at least every 15 minutes.
Monitoring includes:
- Observing breathing
- Checking skin colour
- Checking body position
- Ensuring airways remain clear
- Checking comfort and temperature
Sleeping babies will never be left without regular supervision. Babies under 6 months old must always have a responsible adult in the same room when they sleep.
Records will be maintained showing the following:
- Time placed to sleep
- Position placed in
- Times checked
- Time awake
- Any concerns observed
- Action taken if required
Parents will be informed of their child’s sleep during the day.
We recognise that parents know their children well and staff should discuss children’s sleep routines during registration.
- Information collated should include:
- Usual sleep times
- Preferred settling techniques
- Comfort items
- Medical conditions
- Advice from health professionals
Where sleep practices differ from the safer sleep guidance staff should discuss this sensitively and explain the requirement for following current guidelines. Discussions should be recorded where appropriate.
Where a child has a specific medical need or a healthcare professional has advised alternative sleep arrangements, an individual risk assessment and care plan will be completed.
If a baby falls asleep:
- In a pushchair
- In a bouncer
- In a swing
- In a car seat (after arrival)
they will be moved to a cot as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.
The nursery will ensure:
Cots are regularly checked
Mattresses are clean and undamaged
Bedding is clean, washed regularly and changed immediately if soiled
Equipment is maintained safely
Damaged equipment is removed immediately
Unsafe sleep practices may present a safeguarding concern.
Staff will report concerns immediately to a DSL where they believe a child’s safety may be compromised.
This policy was written on 06/08/26
Further advice on Safer Sleeping can be found from the Lullaby Trust:
Safer sleep overview | The Lullaby Trust