River Region Early Education has a commitment to ensuring the safety, health, and wellbeing of children attending our services and that appropriate and safe opportunities are provided to meet each child’s need for sleep, rest, and relaxation.
Our procedures ensure that educators;
check the envrionment
remove hazards
settle the child- on their back and if aged less than 12 months, with their feet at the bottom of the cot
visually check the child every 10 minutes
We follow and advocate for the safe sleep practices for babies outlined by Red Nose Australia:
1) Always place a baby on their back to sleep.
a) We place children of all ages on their back when placing them for sleep or rest.
b) Where the child turns over during sleep, we allow them to find their own sleeping position but regularly check for hazards.
c) We place infants so their feet are at the bottom of the cot.
2) Keep a baby’s face and head uncovered.
a) Clothing that might cover the head is removed before an infant is placed for sleep or rest.
b) Soft items that may cover the head or create a risk of choking or asphyxiation are removed from the infant or the sleeping area.
3) Keep a baby smoke free before and after birth.
a) Our services are a smoke-free environment, as outlined in NQS4.36 Tobacco, Drug and Alcohol Policy.
4) Provide a safe sleeping environment, night, and day.
a) Cots meet Australian Standards AS/NZS 2172:2003
b) Mattresses are firm, flat, the right size for the cot and meet voluntary Australian Standard AS/NZS 8811.1:2013.
c) Lightweight bedding is used, firmly tucked in, and only pulled up to the chest.
d) For infants, safe sleeping bags are used and are well fitted across the neck and chest, with the child’s arms out, and no hood.
e) Babies are not wrapped or swaddled after 3 months of age.
5) Sleep baby in their own safe sleep space in the parent’s room for the first 6 months.
a) We share information with parents and carers to help them understand that the safest place for babies to sleep is in their own safe space, in the same room as their parents or adult caregiver for the first 6 months.
6) Breastfeed baby.
a) We encourage parents who are breastfeeding to visit the service while their child is being educated and cared for and provide a comfortable space for feeding.
b) We share information with parents to support breastfeeding and how it has been shown to reduce the risk of sudden infant death.
For more information visit https://rednose.org.au/page/parents-and-health-professionals
Comments