Sleep/Rest Time Policy

(Reviewed October 2004)

The wellbeing of children is of the highest priority in the Lilydale community Child Care inc. trading as Swinburne Children’s Centres (Lilydale, Croydon & Wantirna). Depending on their age, each child will have an established sleep/rest time pattern. It is the policy of the Centre to implement a sleep/rest time period throughout the day for all children.

Rest time will be where a child rests quietly on either a bed provided or in a quiet area set up for children not using beds. During this time children will be given a range of books and quiet activities.

Children in the baby’s room will have their own individual sleep routines which the Centre will implement in consultation with the family. There will be written evidence of this and individual changes to sleep routines will be updated and documented.

Children in all other rooms will be offered a sleep or quiet rest, in accordance with their individual needs, after their lunch time.

At no time will sleep/rest time be used as a form of discipline to any child within the Centre. Where parents request that their child not sleep a quiet rest time in an area that is suitable will be provided.

The Centre will at all times, adopt safety standards pertaining to children’s cots. No pillows or bumpers will be used and cot bars will be spaced in line with current requirements.

Children who use cots will be put into their cot as directed by the safety standards based on information relevant to SIDS.

The sleep/rest time policy will be evaluated annually, in line with current children’s safety information and S.I.D.S policies.

Where changes are needed to be made this will be done to ensure the best practice is maintained along with safety and wellbeing of the children are met at all times.