Our Sleep Policy aims to support parents to understand their child's sleep needs.  This underpins the positive experience, confidence and trust that your family has with us.

The aim of the partnership is to:

• Ensure strong child-adult attachments (with the Key Worker and team members) so that staff understand the child's needs.
• Ensure that team members work closely with parents/carers to provide consistent care.
• Ensure that feedback is listened to and acted upon.
• Ensure the sleeping environment is safe.
• Ensure all parties understand the changing sleep needs of a child e.g. when naps have reduced or stopped.
• Ensure all parties understand the daily schedules so that sleep needs can be met around daily activities.
• Ensure parents are informed about their child's sleep routine.
• Ensure open and transparent discussions amongst parents and staff inline with our 'Whistle-blowing Policy'.

The Tots' Clubhouse Nursery School is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all children, including during sleep times. This policy outlines the procedures and practices implemented to minimise the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and ensure the safety and well-being of children while they are sleeping or resting.

Staff Training in Safe Sleeping

Staff training ensures all staff are knowledgeable, trained, and regularly updated on current safe sleep practices as advised by The Lullaby Trust and other relevant bodies:

• To provide a consistent, safe, and appropriate sleep environment for all children, tailored to their age and individual needs.
• To minimise identified risks associated with sleeping.
• To ensure vigilant and regular monitoring of all sleeping children.
• To foster open communication with parents/guardians regarding their child's sleep patterns and safe sleep practices.
• To comply with all relevant legislation and guidance, including the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.

Strong Child-Adult Attachments 

All of our children sleep in the room where staff are present at all times.  Sleeping children are never left unsupervised.

• A member of staff will support a child to fall asleep through close contact, where necessary.  
• Where a child can fall asleep in a buggy or pram, they will be supported by a member of the team as they may need gentle rocking, singing, or reading will be used to help children settle.
• A member of staff will be seated with the children in a designated sleep area until all children are safely asleep.

Logging Sleeping

All children will be checked throughout their sleeping as staff remain in the room at all times.  The sleep area within the room allows for clear and unobstructed visual monitoring by staff at all times.

Staff record the formal checking of each child every 10 minutes.  Staff record the start of sleep time and the waking up times of the child.  The frequency of checks may be increased for any child if there are concerns about their health, a new child, or if they have recently started at the nursery.

Staff will observe the child's chest and breathing, ensure their face is clear, and note their colour and general well-being.  For younger children and those with additional sleep needs, staff will gently place a hand on the child's back or chest to confirm breathing and check their temperature (e.g., at the back of the neck/tummy).

Staff will listen for any signs of distress, unusual breathing, or snoring. They will monitor the position child is in (e.g., on back).  Observations will be recorded during checks, where necessary including any concerns or incidents related to sleep.

These records will be made available to parents/guardians upon request.

Safe Sleeping Equipment

• Each child will be provided with their own individual, designated, and clean sleeping space, appropriate for their age and developmental stage.
• Cots used for infants will comply with British Standards (BS EN 716-1:2017) and be in excellent repair.
• Sleep mats/low-level beds will be clean, comfortable, and regularly sanitised.
• Equipment will be checked daily for damage or wear and tear.
• Sleeping spaces will be positioned in a safe area where loose fabrics, sunlight or draughts and radiators can be controlled.
• Areas for sleeping will be away from other children who are not sleeping.

Safe Sleeping - Clothes

Children are checked that they are wearing suitable clothes for sleeping in.  Any item of clothing deemed unsuitable, is removed i.e. hooded tops, dribble bids, tight shirt collars.

Children will be dressed appropriately for the room temperature, avoiding excessive layers to prevent overheating. Staff will advise parents if a child's sleepwear is deemed unsuitable.

Safe Sleeping - Mats and Blankets

• Blankets are provided which will be securely tucked in no higher than the child's chest.
• No duvets, quilts, pillows, cot bumpers (padded or breathable) will be used.
• No soft toys, comforters, or any other items that could pose a suffocation or strangulation risk will be placed in the cot/bed with a sleeping child. If a comforter is essential for settling, it must be removed once the child is asleep.
• Staff will ensure bedding is not excessive and does not pose an entanglement risk.
   

Safe Sleeping - Position

• All children will have a clear airway at all times.
• All infants under 12 months of age will be placed to sleep on their back for every sleep. This is the safest position and significantly reduces the risk of SIDS.
• An exception will only be made if there is a written medical note from a paediatrician or GP clearly stating a different position is required for specific medical reasons. This documentation will be kept on the child's file, and all staff will be informed and trained on the specific requirements.
• If an infant rolls onto their front during sleep, staff will gently return them to their back. If the infant is older and consistently rolls onto their front themselves (i.e., can roll back to front and front to back proficiently), they may be left in that position once asleep, but they must always be put down on their back initially.

Additional Sleeping Needs

The nursery will make every effort to accommodate individual children's sleep routines and needs where safe and practicable, in consultation with parents.

For children with specific medical conditions that may affect sleep (e.g., reflux, respiratory issues), a clear written action plan will be developed in consultation with parents and medical professionals, and this plan will be clearly communicated to all relevant staff.

For infants with diagnosed plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome), staff will support parents in gently repositioning the baby's head while asleep to relieve pressure, but always ensuring the baby remains on their back for sleep.

This policy will be reviewed as part of the usual cycle of review by the Nursery School Manager and staff team, or sooner if there are:

• Changes to legislation (e.g., EYFS).
• Updates to guidance from The Lullaby Trust or other relevant health bodies.
• Significant incidents or concerns relating to sleep at the setting.
• Feedback from parents or staff.

For more information regarding sleeping, please visit:

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/children-families/sleeping-advice

https://www.nhs.uk/baby/caring-for-a-newborn/reduce-the-risk-of-sudden-infant-death-syndrome/

Dated: June 2025 Review date: December 2026