05 SepUpdate on regulatory changes to sleep and rest policy
What you need to know
A series of regulatory changes are set to take effect starting October 1, 2023, affecting sleep and rest policies. These changes aim to enhance the safety and wellbeing of children in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services by introducing stringent measures to assess and manage risks associated with sleep and rest periods.
Risk assessment mandate
One of the key highlights of these forthcoming regulatory amendments is the mandatory requirement for ECEC services to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment when preparing and updating their sleep and rest policies and procedures (National Regulation 84C). Sleep and rest risk assessment must be conducted at least once every 12 months, and as soon as practicable after becoming aware of any circumstance that may affect the safety, health or wellbeing of children during sleep and rest. It must also include matters prescribed under the National Regulations 84A and 84B.
Review and update sleep and rest policies by October 1, 2023
ECEC services must be prepared to review and update their sleep and rest policies and procedures by October 1, 2023, to ensure compliance with the upcoming changes. From this date forward, the following key matters must be addressed in sleep and rest policies:
- risk mitigation: policies must detail how children will be protected from any risks identified in the comprehensive risk assessment
- individualised care: consideration should be given to how the sleep and rest needs of children, taking into account their ages, developmental stages, and individual requirements, will be met
- health care needs: policies should outline how the health care needs of individual children at the service will be met
- family preferences: address how the service will consider and accommodate requests from families regarding a child’s sleep and rest and cultural preferences
- supervision and monitoring: clearly define how the service will ensure adequate supervision and monitoring of children during sleep and rest periods. This includes the method and frequency of safety, health, and wellbeing checks, as well as documentation procedures for sleep and rest periods
- compliance with guidelines: policies should align sleep and rest practices with current health guidelines to ensure the safety of children during these periods
- staff training: explain how the service will manage the induction, training, and knowledge of staff about best practices for children’s sleep and rest
- sleep area arrangement: detail the location and arrangement of sleep and rest areas, ensuring they meet the specific sleep and rest needs of children
- safety of equipment: address the safety and suitability of cots, bedding, and bedding equipment, taking into account the ages and developmental stages of children who will use them
- hazard management: describe how potential hazards in sleep and rest areas and those potentially affecting a child during sleep and rest periods will be managed
- environmental conditions: discuss the management of physical safety and suitability of sleep and rest environments, including temperature, lighting, and ventilation
- overnight care: for Family Day Care (FDC) services that provide overnight care, explain how risks relating to overnight care at each FDC residence or approved venue of the service will be managed
- Parent communication: outline how the service will communicate sleep and rest policies and procedures to parents, ensuring transparency and collaboration.
Bassinets to be prohibited
From 1 October 2023, bassinets will be prohibited from all ECEC services. Bassinets will no longer be allowed on the premises of any ECEC service, including when families drop off and pick up their children (National Regulations 84D).
To assist services in meeting these new requirements, the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) has created valuable resources, including a Sleep and Rest Risk Assessment Template (click here), complete with detailed guidance on how to utilise it effectively. These resources are designed to support ECEC services in adapting to the evolving regulatory landscape and ensuring the continued safety and wellbeing of the children in their care.
ECEC services should review their sleep policies and procedures regularly to ensure they are consistent with advice from recognised authorities such as Red Nose Australia.
