Updated: May 2026 (In compliance with Gigi’s Law & EYFS Statutory Framework)

Policy Statement

Our Sleep Policy aims to support parents to transition their child into our setting.  This underpins the positive experience, confidence and trust that your family has with us.  We are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment, supported by Warwickshire County Council, and strictly adhering to the Lullaby Trust safer sleep standards which are now mandatory under the EYFS.  

At The Tots’ Clubhouse Nursery School we recognise and value parents’ knowledge of their child’s sleep routines and aim to work collaboratively to maintain consistency between home and the setting.  However, we ask all parents to consider that we are a group setting and it is not always possible to recreate the same home sleeping environment.  Your child could be in a room with up to 12 other children and the nursery day can be very different to being at home, meaning that sleep times can vary due to the activities taking place (on-site and/or off-site).   We also have a safeguarding duty to the child and require them to arrive at the setting awake and alert.

Whilst the child is in our care, staff will never force a child to sleep or keep them awake against their will, nor will they usually wake a sleeping child in their care.  Each child’s key person or a staff member will share daily feedback with parents, including details about sleep duration, mood upon waking, and any observations or concerns.  Forcing a child to wake before they are ready can negatively impact their wellbeing; therefore, we follow a natural waking rhythm to ensure children feel rested and secure (Meeting Individual Needs (EYFS Section 3), Personal, Social and Emotional Development).   Practitioners respect each child’s autonomy by never forcing sleep; instead, they observe signs of tiredness and offer rest in a reassuring environment.

This policy is reviewed annually or following updates to Lullaby Trust or EYFS guidance.

The Lullaby Trust: www.lullabytrust.org.uk
NHS Safe Sleep: nhs.uk/conditions/baby/caring-for-a-newborn
Warwickshire County Council: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/early-years-–-baby-child’s-health-development/sleeping-advice

The aim of the policy is to:

• Provide a consistent, safe, and appropriate sleep environment for all children, tailored to their age and individual needs.
• Minimise identified risks associated with sleeping.
• Ensure vigilant and regular monitoring of all sleeping children.
• Foster open communication with parents/guardians regarding their child's sleep patterns and safe sleep practices.
• Comply with all relevant legislation and guidance, including the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.
• Ensure strong child-adult attachments (with the Key Worker and team members) so that staff understand the child's needs.
• Ensure that team members work closely with parents/carers to provide consistent care.
• Ensure that feedback is listened to and acted upon.
• Ensure all parties understand the changing sleep needs of a child e.g. when naps have reduced or stopped.
• Ensure all parties understand the daily schedules so that sleep needs can be met around daily activities.
• Ensure parents are informed about their child's sleep routine.
• Ensure open and transparent discussions amongst parents and staff inline with our 'Whistle-blowing Policy'.

The Tots' Clubhouse Nursery School is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all children, including during sleep times. This policy outlines the procedures and practices implemented to minimise the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and ensure the safety and well-being of children while they are sleeping or resting.

Staff Training in Safe Sleeping

• Staff training ensures all staff are knowledgeable, trained, and regularly updated on current safe sleep practices as advised by The Lullaby Trust and other relevant bodies.  We comply with all relevant legislation, including the September 2026 EYFS updates, which mandate:
• Providing a consistent, safe, and appropriate sleep environment tailored to age.
• Vigilant monitoring of all sleeping children.
• Maintaining strict environmental controls (temperature and equipment).

Staff training will ensure that:

• Staff will never force a child to sleep.
• Staff will never keep them awake against their will, nor will they usually wake a sleeping child. 
• Each child’s key person or a staff member shares daily feedback with parents, including details about sleep duration, mood upon waking, and any observations or concerns.

Supervision and Environment

All children sleep in a room where staff are physically present at all times. Sleeping children are never left unsupervised in a separate room.  Each child will be provided with their own individual, designated, and clean sleeping space, appropriate for their age and developmental stage.

• Under 6 Months: A member of staff will be physically present in the room at all times.
  Settling: A member of staff will support a child to fall asleep through close contact. Gentle singing or reading may be used to help a child settle.
• Safe Sleep Space: A member of staff will be seated in the designated sleep area until all children are safely asleep and will remain within sight and hearing of all children.
• Temperature Control: The sleep environment must be maintained between 16°C and 20°C. Staff will use a thermometer to monitor this constantly and adjust ventilation or layers accordingly.  
• Waking: In accordance with EYFS guidance and best practice, staff will allow children to wake up naturally. 
  Sleep routines are tailored to be developmentally appropriate, supporting each child’s age and stage of development while promoting emotional regulation and overall wellbeing.

Beds and Buggy Policy

• Infants (Under 12 Months): Must sleep in a compliant cot (BS EN 716-1:2017). The use of buggies, prams, car seats, or bouncers for sleep is strictly prohibited for infants. If an infant falls asleep in a buggy off-site, they will be transferred to a cot immediately upon their return. When off-site, rain covers or blankets must allow staff to have full visibility of the sleeping child at all times.
• Children 12 Months+: May use sleep mats or low-level beds that are clean, firm, and waterproof.
• Clear Space: All sleep spaces must be kept clear of loose fabrics, pillows, duvets, quilts, bumpers, and soft toys.
• Comforters: If a comforter is essential for settling, it must be removed once the child is asleep.
• Sleep mats/low-level beds will be clean, comfortable, and regularly sanitised.
• Equipment will be checked daily for damage or wear and tear.
• Sleeping spaces will be positioned in a safe area where loose fabrics, sunlight or draughts and radiators can be controlled.
• Areas for sleeping will be away from other children who are not sleeping. However, this will be in the same room.  We do not have a separate sleeping space.

Strong Child-Adult Attachments

All of our children sleep in the room where staff are physically present at all times.  Sleeping children are never left unsupervised.

• A member of staff will support a child to fall asleep through close contact, where necessary.  
• Where a child can fall asleep without close contact, they will be supported by a member of the team as they may need gentle rocking, singing, or reading to help them settle.
• A member of staff will be seated with the children in a designated sleep area until all children are safely asleep.

Logging and Monitoring Sleeping

Staff record the formal checking of each child every 10 minutes. This is a statutory requirement. The Sleep Log must include:

• The time of the check and the room temperature.
• The child’s sleep position (e.g., "on back").
• Confirmation of clear airway and normal breathing/colour.

Note: Frequency of checks will be increased for new children, those who have been unwell, or those with additional needs.

All children will be checked throughout their sleeping as staff physically remain in the room at all times.  The sleep area within the room allows for clear and unobstructed visual monitoring by staff at all times.

Staff will observe the child's chest and breathing, ensure their face is clear, and note their colour and general well-being.  For younger children and those with additional sleep needs, staff will gently place a hand on the child's back or chest to confirm breathing and check their temperature (e.g., at the back of the neck/tummy).

Staff will listen for any signs of distress, unusual breathing, or snoring. They will monitor the position child is in (e.g., on back).  Observations will be recorded during checks, where necessary including any concerns or incidents related to sleep.
 

Staff feedback to parents and formal records will be made available to parents/guardians upon request.

Safe Sleeping - Clothes

Children are checked that they are wearing suitable clothes for the day and for sleeping in.  Any item of clothing deemed unsuitable, is removed i.e. hooded tops, dribble bids, tight shirt collars, loose items, dresses.  We do not change children into pyjamas.

Children must be dressed appropriately for the room temperature, avoiding excessive layers to prevent overheating. Staff will advise parents if a child's sleepwear is deemed unsuitable.

Safe Sleeping - Mats and Blankets

• We shall provide a cotton sheet to cover the mat / matress.
• Parents should provide a blanket which will be securely tucked in no higher than the child's chest or a sleeping bag (appropriate TOG for the season).
• No duvets, quilts, pillows, cot bumpers (padded or breathable) will be used.
• No soft toys, comforters, or any other items that could pose a suffocation or strangulation risk will be placed in the cot/bed with a sleeping child. If a comforter is essential for settling, it must be removed once the child is asleep.
• Staff will ensure bedding is not excessive and does not pose an entanglement risk.

Safe Sleeping Position

• Positioning: All infants under 12 months will be placed on their back. We follow the "Feet-to-Foot" rule (feet at the bottom of the cot).All children will have a clear airway at all times.
• All infants under 12 months of age will be placed to sleep on their back for every sleep. This is the safest position and significantly reduces the risk of SIDS.
• Rolling: an infant rolls onto their front during sleep, staff will gently return them to their back. If the infant is older and consistently rolls onto their front themselves (i.e., can roll back to front and front to back proficiently), they may be left in that position once asleep, but they must always be put down on their back initially.

Safe Sleep Clothing

• Clothing: Items deemed unsuitable (hoodies, bibs, necklaces) will be removed. 
• Staff will monitor for overheating by checking the child's chest or back of the neck.

Additional Sleeping Medical Needs

For children with specific medical conditions that may affect sleep (e.g., reflux, respiratory issues), a clear written action plan will be developed in consultation with parents and medical professionals, and this plan will be clearly communicated to all relevant staff.

For infants with diagnosed plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome), staff will support the child in gently repositioning its head while asleep to relieve pressure, but always ensuring the baby remains on their back for sleep.

An exception will only be made if there is a written medical note from a paediatrician or GP clearly stating a different position is required for specific medical reasons. This documentation will be kept on the child's file, and all staff will be informed and trained on the specific requirements.

We will only accept medical documentation for specified sleep needs that contradict the current regulations. Government research is currently being undertaken to define new regulations regarding 'sleep consultants' and  'night nurses'.  If a parent provides information from a sleep consultant and this is in conflict with the regulations, this will be referred to the Local Authority safeguarding team.

This policy will be reviewed as part of the usual cycle of review by the Nursery School Manager and staff team, or sooner if there are:

• Changes to legislation (e.g., EYFS).
• Updates to guidance from The Lullaby Trust or other relevant health bodies.
• Significant incidents or concerns relating to sleep at the setting.
• Feedback from parents or staff.

For more information regarding sleeping, please visit:

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/early-years-%E2%80%93-baby-child%E2%80%99s-health-development/sleeping-advice

https://schools.warwickshire.gov.uk/safeguarding-early-help/safeguarding-welfare-1/15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4dZKQX6Zhk

Dated: May 2026 Review date: December 2026