At Buttercups Nursery School we aim to ensure that all children have enough sleep to support their development and natural sleeping rhythms in a safe environment.
The safety of babies and children sleeping is paramount. Our policy follows the advice provided by the DfE, the Lullaby Trust and NHS to minimise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in babies up to 12 months of age, and sudden unexpected death in childhood (SUDC) in children over 12 months of age.
We make sure that all babies and children are placed down to sleep safely, with every practitioner reading the NHS advice on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)1 and being made aware of the safer sleep guidance from The Lullaby Trust[1].
Babies/toddlers under two years old
For babies/toddlers under two years old, we ensure that:
- Babies aged 12 months and under[2] must only be placed to sleep on their back in a cot[3]
- Babies aged over 12 months are placed down on their back in their own separate sleep space on a clear, flat, firm surface such as a cot, bed or mattress on the floor which has suitable British Safety Standards
- If a baby has rolled onto their tummy, we turn them onto their back again unless they are able to roll from back to front and back again on their own, in which case we enable them to find their own position
- Babies and toddlers are never put down to sleep with a bottle to self-feed
- Babies under six months of age must always have an adult with them in the same room for every sleep. We will monitor their sleep every five minutes
- For babies (over six months of age) and toddlers who are new to the setting we will have an adult in the same room for every sleep during the first few weeks, monitoring their sleep every five minutes, until we are familiar with the child and their sleeping routines
- Babies and toddlers are monitored visually when sleeping by looking for the rise and fall of their chest and if their sleep position has changed
- Babies/toddlers are always within sight and hearing of staff when sleeping.
Sleeping environment
We provide a safe sleeping environment for all babies and children by:
- Ensuring every child has their own separate sleep space
- Only using safety-approved cots and other suitable sleeping equipment (i.e. mats) that are compliant with British Standard regulations
- Using a firm flat surface such as a cot, bed or mattress on the floor. Babies aged 12 months and under are only placed to sleep in a cot
- Using a firm, flat waterproof mattress, a clean fitted sheet and lightweight bedding which is firmly tucked in around the child below their shoulders to prevent head covering for children over 2. Children under 2 will be given a British Standard regulations well-fitted baby sleep bag provided by Buttercups and will be used according to the manufacturer recommendations
- Ensuring the baby/child is placed feet-to-foot at the bottom of the cot, with lightweight blankets tucked in, if used or a sleep bag
- Ensuring every baby/child is provided with clean bedding, labelled for them, working in partnership with parents to meet any individual needs
- Ensuring babies/children are appropriately dressed for sleep to avoid overheating
- Ensuring babies’/children’s heads are not covered
- Ensuring no extra items such as toys, pillows, extra blankets, bumpers, wedges or straps are used in cots; we will use sleep comforters for babies and children over 12 months only and follow The Lullaby Trust advice regarding the safe use of dummies while babies are sleeping[4]
- Keeping all spaces around cots and beds clear from hanging objects, i.e. hanging cords, blind cords, drawstring bags
- Monitoring the sleep room temperature and ensuring it remains between 16-20°C at all times, where possible. Every room is fitted with an Egg Thermometer and the temperature is recorded daily
- Ensuring babies and children over six months of age are always within sight and hearing of staff when sleeping, and are checked every 10 minutes
- Ensuring babies under six months of age always have an adult with them in the same room for every sleep and are checked every five minutes
- Ensuring babies who are new to the setting always have an adult with them in the same room for every sleep and are checked every five minutes until staff are confident with their usual sleep patterns and sleeping style.
Further considerations
- All bedding will be cleaned, as required and at least weekly
- We will transfer any baby who falls asleep while being nursed by a practitioner to a safe sleeping surface to complete their rest
- Any baby/child who falls asleep in a buggy, pushchair or pram while out on a visit will be transferred to a safe sleeping surface to complete their rest on their return to the nursery; coats, hats, extra clothing and blankets will be removed as soon as they are inside, even if this means waking them
- We have a No smoking/vaping policy which includes the requirement for staff to change their clothes and wash their hands after smoking/vaping. In addition, we require staff to wait for 30 minutes after smoking/vaping before holding babies or children, even with a change of clothes.
We ask parents to complete forms on their baby’s/child’s sleeping routine with their key person when starting at nursery; these are reviewed and updated at timely intervals. If a baby has an unusual sleeping routine or a position that we do not use in the nursery, i.e. babies sleeping on their tummies or in a sling, we will explain our policy to the parents and not usually offer this unless the baby’s doctor has advised the parent of a medical reason to do so. In such cases, we would ask parents to provide written permission to adopt a different position or pattern for their baby/child.
We recognise parent knowledge of their baby/child with regard to sleep routines and will, where possible, work together to ensure individual sleep routines and well-being continue to be met. However, staff will not force a baby/child to sleep or keep them awake against their will. They will also not usually wake children from their sleep.
Individual sleep routines are followed rather than having one set sleep time for all children. We create an environment that helps to settle children that require a sleep, for example dimming the lights or using soft music, where applicable. We will maintain the needs of the children who do not require a sleep and ensure they can continue to play, learn and develop. This may involve taking children outdoors or linking with other rooms or groups of children.
Staff will discuss with parents any changes in sleep routines at the end of the session and share observations and information if they do not receive enough sleep.
Sleeping twins
We follow the advice from The Lullaby Trust regarding sleeping twins[5], while working with parents to maintain their sleep routines and well-being.
[1] https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/
[2] If a baby was born prematurely (before 37 weeks) or weighing less than 2.5kg or 5.5lb, you should follow the safer sleep advice for a year from their due date, rather than when they were born
[3] Cots refer to: Cots, carrycots, moses baskets, travel cots
[4] https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/baby-safety/baby-product-information/dummies/
[5] https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/baby-safety/premature-babies-and-multiples/twins-and-multiples/
