Safer Sleep Guidance Update: What It Means for Your Child
- hughesy42
- May 26
- 3 min read
Safer Sleep Guidance Update: What It Means for Your Child
At our setting, your child’s safety and wellbeing are always our highest priority. You may have recently heard about updated safer sleep guidance introduced as part of the revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
We want to reassure all parents and carers that we are already fully aligned with these recommendations, so there will be no changes to our current routines or practices. However, we feel it’s important to keep you informed about what these updates mean and how they support your child’s safety.
What Is Safer Sleep Guidance?
Safer sleep guidance is based on research aimed at reducing the risk of sudden infant deaths, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). These guidelines are widely promoted by organisations such as the The Lullaby Trust.
The updated EYFS guidance strengthens expectations for early years providers to ensure that all babies and young children sleep in a safe, consistent environment.
Key Safer Sleep Principles
💤 Always place babies on their backs to sleep
Sleeping on the back significantly reduces the risk of SIDS.
🛏️ Use a firm, flat mattress
Sleep spaces should be clear, with no pillows, duvets, or soft toys.
🌡️ Maintain a comfortable room temperature
Overheating increases risk, so we carefully monitor room temperature throughout the day.
🧸 Keep the sleep space clear
Only essential bedding is used, following current safety guidance.
👶 Follow each child’s individual sleep routine
We work closely with parents to ensure sleep routines are safe and familiar.
🌡️ Monitoring Room Temperature
Keeping the room at a safe temperature is an important part of safer sleep. Guidance recommends that babies sleep in a room between 16–20°C.
At our setting, we:
Regularly check room temperatures throughout the day
Use thermometers in sleep areas
Adjust clothing and bedding to keep children comfortable
Many parents also find it helpful to have a room thermometer at home to maintain a consistent sleep environment.
You can get a room thermometer for home below:
💤 Why Use Sleep Sacks
Instead of loose blankets, we encourage the use of sleep sacks (also known as baby sleep bags).
Sleep sacks:
✔️ Reduce the risk of overheating
✔️ Prevent blankets from covering a baby’s face
✔️ Provide a consistent and safe sleep environment
We always ensure the correct size and tog rating is used, depending on the room temperature and individual child.
Sleep sacks are inexpensive and help keep your child safe. Grab yours below:
What’s Changed in the EYFS?
The revised EYFS places a stronger emphasis on:
Clear, consistent safer sleep policies
Staff training and awareness
Ongoing communication with parents
Individual risk assessments for each child
While these updates strengthen expectations across the sector, they reflect practices we have long had in place.
What This Means for You
For our families, this means:
✔️ No changes to your child’s daily routine with us
✔️ Continued high standards of care and safety
✔️ Ongoing communication about your child’s sleep needs
We will continue to follow your child’s individual sleep preferences while ensuring all guidance is safely applied.
Working Together
We encourage parents to follow safer sleep guidance at home too, helping to provide consistency for your child. If you ever have questions about sleep routines or safety, please don’t hesitate to speak to a member of our team.
For further information, you may find the guidance from the The Lullaby Trust helpful.
Final Reassurance
We understand that changes to guidance can sometimes feel worrying. Please be reassured that:
Our setting already meets, and continues to meet, all safer sleep recommendations within the updated EYFS framework.
Your child is, and always will be, in safe hands.
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