DfE clarifies safe sleeping requirements
The Department for Education with the Lullaby Trust has written an article clarifying the planned updates to the EYFS on keeping children safe while sleeping.
https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/safer-sleep
Minister Olivia Bailey wrote to the sector in March with new requirements to be brought in from September but NDNA have been asking for clarity on a number of points on behalf of members and the wider sector.
The article – which was amended following feedback from NDNA – sets out why safer sleeping is so important following on from high-profile incidents of two babies who died while sleeping in nursery.
It sets out what Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is and what the risk factors are which could increase the likelihood of SIDS.
The article clarifies the new requirements which will be brought in through the EYFS from September 2026, subject to parliamentary approval from September 2026. The FAQs created alongside this article also clarifies that Ofsted will continue to inspect against the requirements of the existing EYFS.
Points of clarification include:
- Setting out what is meant by a “cot”
- Babies up to 12 months old cannot have any toys or settlers in their cot with them
- What happens if a child falls asleep while travelling
- Room temperature recommendations
In an update on 18 June, the DfE clarified that coracles were not suitable for babies aged 12 months and under, following several inquiries from members:
“Having sought expert advice from an academic, the Department recommends that coracles are only used for babies aged over 12 months. This is due to safety risks, which have also been highlighted in a prevention of future deaths report related to a similar product, where a child suffocated after getting caught on the partially lowered side. We must ensure that the safety of our youngest children is put first. A cot, carry cot, moses basket or travel cot that meets British Safety Standards is the safest place for a baby aged 12 months and under to sleep in.”
The DfE has also issued an FAQs document which you can download here
DOWNLOAD Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): Safer sleep requirements – Frequently Asked Question
NDNA’s early years experts have updated our template Sleep Policy as a result of the new requirements which you can find here.
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