Covers
Intention
Nurturing Family Day Care Scheme acknowledges the importance of rest and sleep in the daily routine, and that this is a very individual experience for each child. By working together with families, educators can support each child to explore, play and exceed every day they are at the registered residence or approved venue by incorporating a safe rest and/or sleep into their day.
Overview
This policy, and all policies and procedures that are associated with the Sleep and Rest Policy, are implemented at all registered residences and venues by educators, staff and families whom are allied with the scheme.
This comprises of –
- Ensuring the safe and well-being of the child at all times.
- Working under the guidelines set by Rednose.
- That children under the age of 2 and their requirements are adhered to.
- That cots are safe places to sleep.
The approved provider of the service will ensure –
- That the is space available at each registered residence or approved venue for children to rest or sleep appropriately and safely depending on their individual needs.
- That the layout of the registered residence or venue will ensure that sleeping children are in sight and/or hearing distance in order to respond immediately to distress.
- That sleep records are completed every 15 minutes that a child under 2 years of age is asleep to ensure that they have been checked by educators.
- That the Rednose guidelines are adhered to at all times.
- That educators and families are continually educated on current research based information is shared.
- That training such as the Safe Infant Sleeping (SIS) is completed by all educators.
Sleep and Rest Procedure
The approved provider under the guidelines set by Rednose, in partnership with all educators and families throughout their time with Nurturing Family Day Care Scheme, will ensure that each child will be safe while having a rest and sleep. All personnel associated with the scheme will be educated and work with current research to ensure that rest and sleep time is incorporated into the daily routine.
To facilitate the continued safe and well-being of all children, the below will be implemented –
- An area is provided for each child to have a safe rest or sleep time depending on their individual needs, and that this is within the educator’s hearing range at all times.
- That this area will not be over crowed, will have adequate air flow and ventilation, and be cooled/heated appropriately.
- That a sleep record is documented on every child that is under 2 years of age, indicating at what date and time the check was performed and by who. This is to be done every 15 minutes.
- That a child’s pallor and breathing is easily identified by the family day care educator (room is not dark with loud music playing to mask indicators of an issue).
- A discussion about each child’s individual need for rest or sleep will occur regularly with the parent/s or guardian/s of every child, ensuring that the families wishes are respected.
- Daily communication about the child’s day, including their rest or sleep, will occur for all children, with the specific times recorded for children under 2 years of age.
- Rednose Safe Sleeping brochure will be sent to parent/s or guardian/s upon enrolment to assist with the education of all personnel.
- Information about SIDS will be routinely sent to all educators and families to ensure continued professional development and education of all personnel.
- Smoking is never permitted in a registered residence or approved venue during education and care hours.
- Bean bags are not permitted in registered areas during education and care hours.
- That the rights of a child will be paramount and adhered to at all times and will be at the forefront of all decisions and actions completed by an educator.
- A child’s voice will be heard and their wishes and behaviours acknowledged in regard to their rest and sleep routine.
- Children who are no longer requiring a sleep will be given the opportunity to rest, with this time including quiet and engaging activities.
- All bedding used will be dealt with according to the Health and Hygiene Policy.
- Who is to supply individual bedding will be negotiated with between educators of a registered residence or venue and the parent/s or guardian/s.
- Children will wear clothing that is appropriate for the temperature in the room they are resting and sleeping in to prevent overheating.
- Children will wear clothing that is free from cords and hoods, a child regardless of age should have their face and head clear during rest and sleep (religious exceptions will be discussed on a individually basis to ensure all personnel are heard and understood).
In accordance with SIDS Rednose, children under the age of 2 will –
- Be placed on their back to sleep, unless a medical condition with a health directive from a doctor is provided and on file.
- Be allowed to turn independently in their sleep, but never assisted.
- Be placed with their feet at the end of the mattress.
- Have linen tucked at the bottom of the mattress; never covering a child’s face or above them.
- Linen will be breathable material, never quilts, donnas, thick blankets, etc.
- Have education material provided in regard to why certain linen from home may not be able to be used at a registered residence, why this is for the safety of the enrolled child, and alternatives that can be used instead, such as a sleep bag with fitted neck and armholes and no hoods.
- Not be placed with additional resources on the mattress, such as pillows, teddies, bumpers, etc.
- Dummies can be used to assist a child to fall asleep but will not be have a cord attached to the child to prevent strangulation.
- Sleep aids can be used, such as clutch blankets, rag dolls, etc. but will be removed from the mattress once the child has fallen asleep if they can cover a child’s face.
- Techniques used at home to assist sleep will be performed by educators if it is safe to do so for all children and is reasonably practicable given the education and care setting (children cannot be driven to sleep, etc.).
- Have a sleep record completed, indicating at what date and time (every 15 minutes) the check was performed and by who, as well as the length of time the child slept to be documented and communicated with the parent/s or guardian/s.
- Sleep checks that are performed every 15 minutes by an educator will occur, regardless of where a child is sleeping, and this will involve them physically observing the sleeping child to assess their breathing and that the environment meets all of the listed requirements as per this procedure.
Cots (including porta cots) at a registered residence or approved venue will –
- Meet Australian Standards AS/NZS 2172:2010 or AS/NZS 2195:2010.
- Have at least 2 sides open to allow adequate air flow and will not have any bumpers or material placed around the cot to prevent this.
- Have a mattress that is in good condition (without rips or holes), be firm, flat and be able to be clean (protective covers can be used to allow cleaning). The gap around the sides of a mattress will be less than 25mm.
- Only the appropriate mattress will be used; additional mattresses will not be placed in a cot or porta cot.
- Age and weight recommendations of individual porta cots will be adhered to at all times.
- A child will be immediately moved out of a cot when they start attempting to climb out.
- Will not be placed near potential hazards.
Children who are required to sleep at a registered residence or approved venue overnight will –
- Have a discussion with their parent/s or guardian/s and family day care educator on how a safe and secure place will be provided for that child, including ways to encourage a sense of belonging.
- Have a private place to dress and sleep overnight.
- Have provisions made to ensure their belongings are stored appropriately and with respect to being in care for extended periods of time.
- Have the family day care educator notify the approved providers of the situation prior to this occurring (and that the registered residence or approved venue may be visited while the premise remains open).
- Have the family day care educator check to ensure that they are safe and secure before retiring for the night and again upon waking in the morning.
- Not be in at a registered residence or approved venue for 24 hours continuously without prior authorisation from the approved providers.
Sources
Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations 2011 (Updated October 2017)
- Section 165, Offence to inadequately supervise children
- Reg 168, Education and care services must have policies and procedures.
National Quality Standard (Updated February 2018)
- 2.1, Each child’s health and physical activity is supported and promoted
- 2.1.1, Each child’s wellbeing and comfort is provided for, including appropriate opportunities to meet each child’s need for sleep, rest and relaxation.
- 2.2, Each child is protected.
- 2.2.1, At all times, reasonable precautions and adequate supervision ensure children are protected from harm and hazard.
- 6.1, Respectful relationships with families are developed and maintained and families are supported in their parenting role.
- 6.2, Collaborative partnerships enhance children’s inclusion, learning and wellbeing.
Early Years Learning Framework
Caring for Children – Birth to 5 years (Food, Nutrition and Learning Experiences) 5th Edition, 2014
Health Direct – Australian Government Department of Health
National Childcare Accreditation Council
SIDS and Kids, https://rednose.com.au/
Staying Healthy in Child Care – Preventing Infectious Diseases in Early Childhood Education and Care (5th Edition) 2013
QLD Health
Review
The policy will be reviewed annually.
The review will be conducted by:
- Approved Provider
- Employees
- Educators
- Families
- Interested Parties
Created: May 2017
Reviewed: October 2017
June 2018
Next review: June 2019
