Ensuring that children are safe while they sleep is just as important as caring for their wellbeing while they are awake – despite this, Ofsted frequently raises concerns around safer sleep practices in inspection reports.
Repeatedly nurseries have been deemed inadequate for practitioners not following the latest guidance when settling children for a nap, and poor staff deployment resulting in babies being left alone where practitioners are not able to see or hear them.
So what should settings be doing to ensure safe sleep practices? The EYFS (2021) states, ‘Sleeping children must be frequently checked to ensure that they are safe. Being safe includes ensuring that cots/bedding are in good condition and suited to the age of the child, and that infants are placed down to sleep safely in line with latest Government safety guidance [see Further information for references].’
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