Safe sleeping: your practical guide

Last updated: June 2026

Safe sleep is one of the highest-priority areas of your safeguarding practice as a childminder. It is also an area where, even with the best intentions, it is easy to fall into habits that do not meet the current guidance.

This guide brings together everything you need to know: the new EYFS requirements, practical steps for your setting, how to handle situations where parents prefer different approaches, and what to do if you have concerns.

The updated EYFS framework sets out the following requirements for children under 2 years old. These apply to your setting now, regardless of whether the formal framework update has taken effect.

Children must be placed down to sleep on their back, in their own separate sleep space, on a firm, flat surface. This can be a cot, bed, or mattress on the floor.

The sleep space should only contain:

A well-fitted baby sleep bag is a safe alternative to loose bedding. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for the appropriate tog rating and weight for the child's age and size before using one. Fitted sheets are considered part of standard bedding and are not prohibited. The key is that bedding is lightweight, well-fitted and tucked in safely.

If blankets are used, the child must be placed feet-to-foot at the bottom of the cot, with blankets tucked in. This prevents the child from sliding down under the blanket and their head becoming covered.

Cots must not contain any of the following:

Many products are marketed for babies that do not meet safe sleep requirements, including some bedding sets with built-in duvets or pillows. Just because something is sold for babies does not mean it is safe for sleep.

Children should not get too hot or too cold. The recommended room temperature for babies is 16-20 degrees Celsius. This is a specific range, not a rough guide. Investing in a room thermometer for any room where babies sleep is a practical and straightforward step.

Signs a baby may be too hot include sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, and a rapid heartbeat. If a baby is too hot, remove a layer of clothing or bedding. Do not use fans to cool them, as these can cause sudden temperature changes.

Children's heads must never be covered during sleep. If you use a sleep bag, always ensure the neck opening is the right size for the child so their head cannot slip inside. If you use blankets, always use the feet-to-foot method described above.

Children under 6 months of age must always have an adult with them in the same room for every sleep. This is an absolute requirement.

All children must be frequently checked when sleeping. tiney recommends checking at least every 10 minutes. Always record your sleep checks.

Children must always be within sight and hearing of you when sleeping. Baby

monitors can help with hearing, but you must also be able to see the child. This means regular physical checks, not just listening via a monitor.

A question that comes up often is: what about a child who falls asleep in the buggy on an outing?

The guidance on safe sleep is focused on sleep in your setting. It is not designed to prevent a baby or toddler from naturally dozing off during a walk. If a child falls asleep in the buggy while you're out, there is no expectation that you must wake them immediately.

However, these principles still apply:

Buggies are not a suitable routine sleep space within your setting.

Keeping a record of your sleep checks is good safeguarding practice and may be asked about at your QA visit. You should note:

You can use a simple written log, or a digital template if one is available in the tiney app. The important thing is that records are consistent, so that anyone reviewing them could see exactly when checks took place.

Some of the most common and challenging situations around safe sleep arise when a parent's approach at home is different from the guidance. You may encounter parents who co-sleep with their baby, allow their child to sleep in a buggy or bouncy chair, use sleep pods or wedges, or put their baby to sleep on their front because they say the baby 'sleeps better that way'.

Your responsibility is for what happens in your setting, not in the family home. You cannot and should not try to control what parents do at home. However, you have a professional duty of care to follow safe sleep guidance in your setting, regardless of the family's own preferences.

When parents request an approach that doesn't meet safe sleep guidance, here's how to handle it with warmth and confidence:

If a parent is using an approach at home that you believe is putting their baby at serious risk (for example, co-sleeping while under the influence of alcohol or medication), this may need to be treated as a safeguarding concern. Contact the tiney safeguarding line for advice if you're unsure.

Before any child who might sleep in your setting starts with you, have a conversation with parents about their child's sleep routine and needs. This should cover:

This helps you plan your approach and gives you the opportunity to discuss the safe sleep requirements clearly from the start.

Some babies are at higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and require additional care. This includes premature babies, babies with low birth weight, babies with certain health conditions, and babies born to parents who smoke.

If you care for a baby in a higher-risk group, discuss their individual needs with their parents and, where appropriate, seek guidance from the child's health visitor or GP. The Lullaby Trust's Baby Safety Helpline is also an excellent source of support (see below).

If a baby or child stops breathing or becomes unresponsive during sleep, act immediately:

Do not move the child from the sleep surface unnecessarily until emergency services arrive, as they may need to examine the environment. Any serious incident involving a sleeping child must be reported to tiney as a significant event as soon as possible.

Yes. Sleep mats can be suitable for older children, provided they have a firm, flat surface and are approved as safe for sleep. Always check the age and weight guidance for any equipment you use.

Yes, but use lightweight bedding and tuck it in firmly. Use the feet-to-foot method and never cover the head. Consider whether the room temperature needs adjusting before adding extra bedding.

No. Sleep pods and nests do not meet the current safe sleep requirements and must not be used for routine sleep in your setting. Explain this to the parent kindly but clearly.

A monitor helps you hear the child, but it does not replace regular physical checks. You must be able to see the child during sleep, so regular check-ins are essential.

This can be a real challenge. Call the tiney safeguarding line for advice on how to support a child through the transition to a safer sleep space. We're here to help you work through it.

If you have a question about safe sleep that isn't covered here, please reach out to the tiney safeguarding team via the app or call the safeguarding line.