Sleep Policy

Whytebeams welcomes and adheres to the new Safer Sleep Requirements in the EYFS
(September 2025). Sleeping children will be placed to sleep safely and cared for using
the guidelines for the child’s age. All staff will read and work within the NHS advice on
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and safe sleep guidance and the EYFS
requirements around safer sleep.
For all children

•  We follow the Safer Sleep and NHS guidance to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

•  Sleep areas will be safe, suitable and checked for safety before use

• Only sheets and blankets that are of good condition are used, any loose threads are removed

• Nursery bedding is washed regularly

• All sleep mats meet necessary safety standards

• The sleep area will be free of pillows, rugs, duvets, bumpers, or soft toys

•  A comfortable temperature of 16-20 degrees will be maintained to avoiding overheating.

 

Children over 2
We do not have a set sleep time for children over 2. However, if children fall asleep, they will
be placed on their back, face up on a waterproof sleep mat with clean fitted sheet, on the
floor. Where lightweight blankets are used, they will be firmly tucked in below their shoulders.
The sleep area will be free of pillows, rugs, duvets, bumpers, or soft toys and a comfortable
temperature will be maintained to avoiding overheating.
Sleeping children will be supervised with a staff member close by and always within their
sight and hearing. This may be in the little room or in the hall with a low barrier around them
and the staff member. Frequent, active checks by staff are required to monitor breathing and
comfort, rather than just visual checks. If children are deemed unwell, their parents will be
called for collection.

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Children under 2 (from 18 months)

•  Children under 2 will be placed to sleep in a safe and suitable quiet area within the toddler area or separate side room depending on the days preschool activities.

• We follow the Safer Sleep and NHS guidance to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

•  Toddlers and young children are always laid to sleep on sleep mats on their back, with their feet touching the foot of the sleep mat.

•  Children under two years are not given pillows, cot bumpers or any soft furnishings to prevent risk of suffocation

•  We ensure that sheets or thin blankets come no higher than the toddlers shoulders, to prevent them wriggling under the covers. We make sure the covers are securely tucked in feet to foot so they cannot slip over the toddler’s head

•  Only sheets and blankets that are of good condition are used, any loose threads are removed

• We also share safe sleep advice with parents

• Each toddler has nursery bedding that is washed daily. All sleep mats meet
  necessary safety standards. We use a firm and flat mattress and sheets

• The sleep area is checked before use to ensure no items are within reach i.e.
  hanging over or beside the sleep mat such as cables, cord blinds

• Sleeping children are supervised at all times and checks are completed every 10
  minutes.

•  Checks are documented with the time and staff initials on the sleep check form and
  times are shared with parents.

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