When it comes to sleep and rest, you want to make sure that your choice of care for your child aligns with the standards set by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) national guidelines and the factors that matter most to you.
Here are five questions you can ask on your next centre tour:
1. What is the centre’s policy on safe sleep?
Understand the policies and procedures undertaken by the centre to ensure children are provided with sleep and rest periods that adequately cater to their needs. Do their policies reflect the ACECQA guidelines and demonstrate a commitment to individualised care?
2. Find out if staff have received Red Nose safe sleep training.
Red Nose is Australia’s leading authority on safe sleeping for infants and children. Understand if educators have completed Red Nose training and the frequency of refresher training. This training empowers educators to know how to create and maintain high-quality, safe sleeping environments for children in their care.
3. How often will my child be checked during naptime?
Children who are sleeping must be monitored just like at home to ensure that support is available.
Look for:
- The frequency of checks based on age
- What educators look for to monitor the safety of the child
- The documentation requirements undertaken
- How the centre communicates with the family about their child’s sleep and rest during care
4. Are short-term sleeping devices being used during sleep periods?
Identify the designated sleeping areas provided for children. Babies should sleep in a safe cot and older children should sleep in a designated area appropriate for their age group. Does this centre use age-appropriate, safe sleeping arrangements?
5. Are sleep routines structured or based around the child’s individual needs?
Every child is unique and so are their sleeping needs. Find out how the centre balances routine with flexibility in consideration of individual sleep patterns, comfort items and family preferences.
Discover St Nicholas Early Education
Focusing on creating relaxing atmospheres and optimal rest environments for children, St Nicholas Early Education listens to the needs of the child and their family. Each of our centres follows the guidelines outlined by Red Nose, ACEQUA and the Department of Education.
Explore your nearest centre and learn more about our sleep and rest procedures – click here.
Information provided in this article has been sourced from:
- Red Nose – Questions to ask when choosing a childcare centre; https://rednose.org.au/article/questions-to-ask-when-choosing-a-childcare-centre
- St Nicholas Health and Safey Procedures; https://stnicks.org.au/policies-and-procedures/
