Sleeping Children Policy

Mahia I runga I te rangimārie me te ngākau māhaki.
With a peaceful mind and respectful heart, we will always get the best results. ​​​​​​​

Rationale

Because peaceful, undisturbed sleep and rest periods are vital to the healthy growth, and social/emotional development of tamariki, at Kindercare, each child will have a daily sleep/rest period, which will be a calm, pleasurable experience. For their wellbeing and safety when sleeping, it’s essential they are monitored closely and consistently. The bond and connection nurtured with each child guides our understanding of their different rest and sleep needs, and enables us to recognise and support individual sleeping and waking patterns.

Policy Details

Sleep and rest rituals play an integral role in providing outstanding care for every child. We respect whānau personal choice in seeking professional advice, including Sleep Consultants, to establish individualised sleep/rest plans for their child, and, in partnership with parents, we will kōrero with whānau on sleep/rest aspirations. However, as we provide centre-based care, not all philosophies and practices around sleep/rest are aligned with the early childhood setting, or our commitment to Best Practice. To ensure optimal outcomes for each child, while they are in our care, our team are not able to accommodate those requests and requirements that do not support our commitment to Best Practice.

For tamariki to feel safe, settled and able to drift off to sleep calmly, consider a setting and rituals that create a soothing, cozy and peaceful sanctuary for rest and sleep. 

Foster tranquil rhythms that enable tamariki to feel comfortable falling asleep at Kindercare.  

For those tamariki who we know are comforted by a special ‘cuddly’ or reassuring touch, ensure this forms part of their settling ritual, to help them wind down and feel relaxed as they fall asleep.   

Kaiako will reflectively observe their room and the changing needs and energy levels of their group to create rituals that gently signal the approaching quiet time: lower the music volume, draw blinds where applicable, and use soft voices.  

Thoughtfully creating special spaces for restorative sleep means that our youngest tamariki are not routinely placed in items or equipment (bouncer, swing etc.) that are not fit for or designed specifically for sleeping purposes. However, to ensure our care plan is responsive to each child’s unique needs, the use of these items/equipment for sleeping/resting purposes is discretionary when this is assessed as being supportive of the best outcomes for that child.    

If a child falls asleep while in an item not designed specifically for sleep, they will be carefully transferred to a bed or cot, as soon as possible. Tamariki under one year old should be able to lie flat when sleeping as this is important for their breathing. 

Being attuned to each child in your care, enables Kaiako to be responsive to individual physical and emotional cues, ensuring we give tamariki the opportunity to sleep when they need to.    

For their wellbeing and safety, it’s essential sleeping tamariki are monitored closely and consistently.

As we nurture whanaungatanga, we build familiarity and connection with each child, so that through intentional observation, we are able to recognise signs that a child is sleeping peacefully. Use gentle touch at regular intervals to check for warmth and breathing, without disturbing the child.  

Consider the influence of the season and ambient room temperature on comfort levels, before covering each child for their sleep, and ensure their face is clearly visible. 

We respond kindly and immediately to a distressed or upset child, because they trust us to be there. 

Hammocks are used in Kiwi rooms at the discretion of the Area Manager and Centre Director, to support specific needs of a baby or babies, and in consultation with whānau. 

Written parental consent is required before the hammock can be used for a particular child.  

Before using hammocks, Kaiako must undergo training to ensure they are able to use it safely. 

Ensure the hammock has been installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and that safety instructions are followed, as per the manufacturers’ information. 

The hammock needs to be set up in clear sight of the team. 

Ensure babies are not put to sleep in excessive layers of bedding or clothing, and avoid using synthetic materials as babies can overheat.  

Once a child can roll, sit, kneel or pull themselves up, the hammock is no longer safe and should not be used for that child.  

The weight limit for the hammock is 15kg.  

Last Review Date: 18 June 2021