Safe Sleep Policy

Cuan Bhríde Childcare Centre

Safe Sleep Policy

A Safe Sleep policy is in place at Cuan Bhríde Childcare Centre, which facilitates each child’s individual need for sleep/rest. While parents are consulted on their child’s sleep routines, we ask you to remember that we are responsible for each child in our care and will always follow recommended safe practice.

A Safe Sleep Policy:

  • Gives clear guideline to new or trainee staff; relief staff or those on work experience as well as to parents
  • Acts as a reminder and helps maintain consistency by the regular staff members
  • Helps to inform and reassure parents that Cuan Bhríde Childcare Centre will only implement what is in best practice guidelines

All staff and relief practitioners receive induction on sleep policy. This includes:

  • Precautions to be taken against SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)
  • A step-by-step guide to resuscitation of a child who is not breathing
  • Guidelines on what to do in the event of a cot death.

Parents are also encouraged to be involved in meeting the individual needs of their child.

Children under two years of age have access to a standard cot. Children over two have access to stacking beds. A separate sleep room of adequate size has been provided for all children under two years of age. This room is in close proximity to the playroom and a viewing panel permits staff to monitor the children.

All under two’s attending Cuan Bhride Childcare Centre have access to their own standard cot, which is of good design; solid and stable; has a recognised safety standard and is in good condition. We use well-fitting, firm mattresses, with washable covers; easy to clean and disinfect; well aired and dried; with a gap from the side of the cot less than 2.5cm.

As the following are not recommended, we do not use:

  1. Travel cots/portable cribs (which are intended for occasional use only and the mesh sides are difficult to adequately launder)
  2. Pillow, cushion, beanbag or waterbed – their surface is too soft and is associated with a significantly higher risk of cot death
  3. No amber bead necklaces/bracelets are to be used
  4. Sofa or settee – young toddlers can roll, fall off and sustain an injury
  5. Rocking chairs – a tilt of more than 5 degrees can create a potential trapping hazard
  6. Car seats/buggies/bouncinettes – restraining harnesses can clip and cause hanging
  7. Duvets or quilts – risk of over-heating.

Safe Sleep Practice & Procedures:

  1. Baby always put to sleep on back
  2. Feet at foot of cot
  3. Bed clothes tucked in securely
  4. Babies clothes are loose and light – no hooded tops
  5. 1 child per cot
  6. Bibs, bottles or toys removed
  7. No quilts, pillows or cot bumpers – we use cellular blankets or gro-bags supplied by parent/guardian
  8. Baby’s head never covered
  9. Visual sleep checks recorded in sleep log every 10 minutes. This records the time, the baby’s position, temperature of the room, how the child is breathing and who checked
  10. Ventilation – natural/mechanical ventilation achieves 3 air changes per hour
  11. Temperature – the sleep area is maintained between 16̊C and 18̊C. A wall mounted thermometer monitors the temperature in the room.
  12. Blackout blinds used
  13. No cots near blinds whose cords could cause strangulation
  14. Space – at least 1.4m squared is allowed per cot, allowing adults unhindered access to each sleeping child. A minimum of 4.2m squared is allowed per baby room with at least 0.5m squared between the cots.
  15. Linen is not shared – separate linen is available for each child and this is laundered weekly or when soiled
  16. Sofas, bean bags, buggies are not suitable for children to sleep in

Updated 12 September 2018