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). Alongside what is stated in the EYFS, we follow the NHS advice on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). At this link the NHS website states:

• always place your baby on their back to sleep in the feet-to-foot position – this means with their feet at the bottom of the cot or Moses basket
• move your baby onto their back if they roll (until they can roll onto their front and back again by themselves)

so we will always place babies to sleep on their backs.

As well as the NHS guidance, staff will read the Lullaby Trust Safer Sleep Awareness Guidance and guidance is also available for families – www.lullabytrust.org.uk

3. The EYFS states that “babies aged 12 months and under must only be placed to sleep in a cot”. For all children in our babyrooms (up to 2 years) we use “bunk cots” in a designated sleep room. Each child has their own cot; this will be a moses basket for babies under 6 months and the lower bunk only for older children (over 12 months) who are moving independently. Sheets are changed as required, but at least at the end of each child’s nursery week. Babies must only be placed to sleep in a cot, not in bouncers, buggies or on cushions. Nothing must be hung on the cots.
4. If the child is used to sleeping in a baby sleep bag we ask that parents provide them for the child at nursery. We will check the sleep bag to ensure that it complies with the British Safety Standards (see below), is in a safe condition, is the correct fit for the baby and is the correct tog for the season/temperature. This check will be noted as a moment on iConnect. A blanket is not used as well as a baby sleep 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. Babies under 6 months of age will sleep in a moses basket in the room with staff and other children, not in the cot rooms.
7. 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.
8. If children (aged over 12 months) 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 and babies under 12 months must not have soft toys or comforters to sleep with.
9. Sleeping children are checked regularly. For babies aged 12 months and under this is every five minutes, for children aged over 12 months, every ten minutes. All checks are recorded on iConnect.
10. 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 or bed, 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. Ensuring that babies and children only ever sleep on a firm, flat surface such as a cot, bed or mattress on the floor. If children fall asleep in cosy areas on cushions, they must be moved to a cot, bed or mattress on the floor, or cushions removed from around them if they fall asleep on a mattress with cushions, eg in a reading area.
    2. 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 (C). See the Level 1 Indoor Risk Assessment (4.2) and Emergency Review Procedures (6.9) for what is done when the temperature is higher or lower.
    3. 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, firmly in and around the child below their shoulders to prevent head covering. If parents provide baby sleep bags then blankets are not used. We use fitted cot sheets, to ensure they are securely tucked in around the mattresses, and waterproof mattress protectors which are washed, with the sheets, between children or at the end of the child’s nursery week.*.
    4. Ensuring that children’s heads are not covered when sleeping.
    5. Ensuring babies are appropriately dressed for sleep to avoid overheating. Babies should not sleep in hoodies, jumpers, hats** or thick trousers/jeans. Dribble bibs and amber teething necklaces must be removed. In very hot weather, babies and children will sleep in only their nappies.
    6. Ensuring that all children are checked while asleep – see above for different timings per age – and these checks are recorded on iConnect. 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 and there is nothing covering their head. As per DfE guidance, monitors (that allow the children to be seen and heard) are used when staff are not in the room with children, but physical sleep check are still done regardless.
    7. 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/mattresses for older children are cleaned weekly.
    8. 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.
    9. Not using cot bumpers and ensuring nothing is hung on the cots or placed in the cots. Pillows are not used at any age.
    10. Keeping all spaces around cots and beds clear from hanging objects such as blind cords and drawstring bags.
    11. As per Foundation Years FAQ guidance, ensuring that sleep comforters are only used for babies and children aged over 12 months. This does not include dummies, for which we follow the Lullaby Trust advice.
    12. Ensuring that babies and children are never put to bed with a bottle or drink cup.
    13. Ensuring that babies and children who fall asleep in the arms of a practitioner, or in a sling, car seat or buggy (while travelling), are transferred to a bed or cot to complete their rest. When they come in from outside, hats and extra clothing should be removed.
    14. Understanding that, if a baby was born prematurely (before 37 weeks) or weighing less than 2.5kg or 5.5lb, we will follow the safer sleep advice for a year from their due date, rather than when they were born. We will refer to The Lullaby Trust guidance for premature or low weight babies if unsure.
    15. Making informed decisions if a child arrives at nursery asleep (in arms): 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. If a child is arriving at nursery asleep in a car seat or buggy/pram, they must be moved to a bed or cot to continue their sleep, as per clause 12.
    16. Ensuring that staff comfort a distressed child, and support children by being with them as they drift off to sleep, if required.
    17. Ensuring that no child is ever restrained in a way to force them to stay lying down, which restricts their movement or smothers them. Children are not forced to sleep if they don’t want to – staff are aware of “sleep pressure”.
    18. Having a No Smoking policy throughout each nursery and requiring that staff do not smoke in their uniform on their breaks.
    19. Requesting that staff do not wear strong perfume or body spray.

    * cots are made up with a waterproof mattress protector and a sheet and both are changed between children, or at the end of their nursery week.

    ** This is because babies only sweat via their heads so a hat will stop them regulating their temperature.

Links to guidance and information

Alongside the provisions in the EYFS, this policy has been written using:

NHS SIDS guidance – https://www.nhs.uk/baby/caring-for-a-newborn/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids/

Information from the Lullaby Trust – https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/

Including the Lullaby Trust Safer Sleep Awareness booklet: A guide for childminders, foster carers, nannies and nursery settings – which all staff read as part of their induction in our practice guidance folder.

Foundation Years Safer sleep requirements FAQ – https://www.foundationyears.org.uk/2026/04/early-years-foundation-stage-eyfs-safer-sleep-requirements-frequently-asked-question/

DfE safer sleep guidance – https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/safer-sleep

British Safety Standards:

• Cots, travel cots, moses baskets and carry cots: BS EN 716-1:2017,  BS EN 1466:2014 or
BS EN 1466:2023
• Bedside cribs: Since 2020, all bedside cribs should meet the new crib safety standard BS EN 1130:2019. This means cots should no longer have a side that fully drops down.
• Mattresses: BS 7177:2008+A1:2011
• Mattresses for cots, travel cots and cribs: BS EN 16890:2017+A1:2021
• Sleepbags: BS EN 16781:2018.

 

 

List of Appendices

Appendix 1 – Cot Room Risk Assessment and Checklist