50 years caring for children

You are here: Home / Nursery Policies / Sleeping at Nursery Policy

Sleeping at Nursery Policy

The purpose of this policy is to set out procedures to ensure children are comfortable and safe when sleeping at nursery.

UNDER TWOS 

  1. When a child under two starts at nursery, parents fill in a baby routine form. We will then do what we can to follow a child’s sleep pattern at nursery, accepting that sleeping at nursery is very different to sleeping at home, and recognising the support processes and safety procedures we have in place in this policy.
  2. Research suggests that it is safer for babies to sleep on their backs and that this reduces the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). nhs.uk/conditions/baby/caring-for-a-newborn/reduce-the-risk-of-sudden-infant-death-syndrome. At this link the NHS website states: “Place your baby on their back to sleep from the very beginning for both day and night sleeps. This will reduce the risk of cot death. Do not put your baby to sleep on their side or tummy. Once your baby is old enough to roll over, there’s no need to worry if they turn onto their tummy or side while sleeping.” This is the guidance that we follow at Bristol Childcare nurseries. Staff also read the Lullaby Trust Safer Sleep Awareness Guidance and guidance is also available for families – www.lullabytrust.org.uk.
  3. Each child has their own bed. Sheets are changed as required, but at least at the end of each child’s nursery week. Babies must not sleep in bouncers or on cushions. Nothing must be hung on the cots.
  4. If the child is used to sleeping in a “gro-bag” we ask that parents provide them for the child at nursery. A blanket is not used as well as a gro-bag.
  5. If necessary, a cellular blanket is placed over a child to sleep. This is securely tucked in and placed no higher than the shoulders/stops under their arms. Babies are placed with their feet at the end of the cot; this is because, if they wriggle, they will only wriggle up, out of the blanket.
  6. Under-twos are left to sleep for as long as they need. We will work with parents and can gently wake children from some sleeps if that is helping their overall sleep pattern, but will not do this if the child is very tired and needs the sleep or it is contrary to their overall wellbeing and ability to thrive at nursery. As children become closer to being two years old, staff will discuss with parents what is best for each child.
  7. If children have a special comforter they like to sleep with, we ask parents to bring it in for sleep time but will not encourage the child to have it outside their cot or bed as this can inhibit their play. Non-mobile babies should not have soft toys or comforters to sleep with.
  8. Sleeping children are checked regularly. For under ones this is every five minutes, for over ones, every ten minutes and the checks are recorded on iConnect.
  9. Times of all sleeps are recorded on iConnect.

OVER TWOS 

  1. Any child who needs a sleep will have the opportunity to sleep after lunch. This will be on a mattress, with a sheet, in a quiet area. Parents must provide nappies if required.
  2. We will respect the wishes of any parent who does not want their child to sleep. However, if we feel the child needs some sleep or more sleep than requested by the parents, we will discuss this with them. We would also discuss the importance of regular bedtimes and routine.
  3. Children can cuddle a special toy at sleep time if they wish to.
  4. If a practitioner is not in the room when children are sleeping, staff will check the children every ten minutes and record these checks on iConnect. Times of all sleeps are recorded on iConnect.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT

We provide an environment where babies and children feel safe and comfortable to sleep by:

  1. Monitoring room temperatures. These are taken at the start of each day and recorded on the Cot Room Risk Assessment and Checklist (Appendix 1), and monitored throughout the day. The temperature should be between 16 and 20 degrees. See the Level 1 Indoor Risk Assessment for what is done when the temperature is higher or lower.
  1. Ensuring that bedding used for each baby and child is clean and an appropriate fabric and weight. We only use cellular blankets and staff are aware that if you fold the blanket that is considered to be two layers – babies should just sleep under one layer. Blankets for babies are tucked in neatly to cots. If parents provide gro bags then blankets are not used.
  2. Ensuring babies are appropriately dressed for sleep to avoid overheating. Babies should not sleep in hoodies, jumpers or thick trousers/jeans.
  1. Ensuring that all children are checked while asleep – see above for different timings per age. A check means going close to the child to listen to breathing or putting a hand on their chest, checking bedding is tucked in, checking they have not got too hot or been sick.
  2. Ensuring that cots that are shared between babies on different days are stripped and sterilised between children and remade with their bedding. Ensuring that cot frames and beds for older children are cleaned weekly.
  3. Only using cots, beds and mattresses with appropriate safety standards. Ensuring they are checked weekly, as per the Cot Room Risk Assessment and Checklist, and fixed or replaced when damaged.
  1. Not using cot bumpers and ensuring nothing is hung on the cots. Pillows are not used at any age.
  2. Keeping all spaces around cots and beds clear from hanging objects such as blind cords and drawstring bags.
  3. Ensuring that babies and children are never put to bed with a bottle or drink cup.
  4. Ensuring that babies and children who fall asleep in the arms of a practitioner, or in a sling or buggy, are transferred to a bed or cot to complete their rest.
  1. Making informed decisions if a child arrives at nursery asleep: practitioners will discuss this with parents – will the child be distressed if they wake up and find their parent has left or would they benefit from the longer period of sleep? If this is happening frequently, practitioners will discuss this with parents and the reasons for it etc.
  1. Ensuring that staff comfort a distressed child, and support children by being with them as they drift off to sleep, if required.
  2. Having a No Smoking policy throughout each nursery and requiring that staff do not smoke in their uniform on their breaks.

 

 

List of Appendices

Appendix 1 – Cot Room Risk Assessment and Checklist