At 0-2-5 Nursery Ltd we aim to ensure that all children have enough sleep to support their development and natural sleeping rhythms in a safe enviroment.
The safety of babies’ sleeping is paramount. Our policy follows the advice provided by The Cot Death Society and Lullaby Trust to minimise the risk of Sudden Infant Death, We make sure that:
- Babies are placed on their backs to sleep. 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 will leave them to find their own position.
- Babies/toddlers are never put down to sleep with a bottle to self-feed.
- Babies /toddlers are monitored visually when sleeping looking for the rise and fall of their chest and if the sleep position has changed.
- Blinds are left open in the room so that practitioners can clearly see to check children during nap time. Checks are made every 10 minutes and as good practice we monitor babies under six months or a new baby sleeping during the first few weeks every five minutes until we are familiar with the child and their sleeping routines, to offer reassurance to them and their families.
- Babies/children are never left to sleep in a separate room without staff supervision.
We provide a safe sleeping environment by:
- Monitoring the room temperature.
- Using clean, light bedding/blankets and ensuring babies are appropriately dressed for sleep to avoid overheating.
- Only using safety-approved cots or other suitable sleeping equipment (i.e. mats) that are compliant with British Standard regulations, and that mattress covers are used in conjunction with a clean fitted sheet.
- Only letting babies sleep in prams if they lie flat and we have parents’ written permission.
- Keeping all spaces around beds clear from hanging objects i.e. hanging cords, blind cords, drawstring bags.
- Ensuring every baby/toddler is provided with clean bedding labelled to them and working in partnership with parents to meet any individual needs, for example, if a child prefers to sleep in a sleeping bag, we will ask parents/carers to bring one from home.
- Cleaning all bedding as required and ensuring all children’s individual blankets are washed at least weekly.
- Transferring any baby who falls asleep while being nursed by a practitioner to a safe sleeping surface to complete their rest.
- Having a no smoking policy.
We ask parents to complete sheets on their child’s sleeping routine with the child’s key person when the child starts at nursery, and 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 policies to the parents and not usually offer this unless the baby’s doctor has advised the parent of a medical reason to do this; in this case, we would ask them to sign to sat they have requested the adopt a different position or pattern on the sleeping babies form.
We recognise parents’ knowledge of their child regarding sleep routines and will, where possible, work together to ensure each child’s individual sleep routines and well-being continues to be met. However, staff will not force a 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 one set sleep time for all children. We create an environment that help to settle children that require a sleep, e.g. dimming the lights or using soft music where applicable whilst ensuring that we continue to meet the needs of the children that 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/ children.
Staff will discuss any changes in sleep routines at the end of the day and share observations and information about children’s behaviour when they do not receive enough sleep.
Further information can be found at: https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk