Last updated: April 2026

Review date: April 2027

Sleep surface:

• Infants will be placed to sleep on a firm, flat, waterproof mattress that fits tightly in a cot that meets safety standards.
• The sheet will fit the mattress snugly.
• Soft materials such as quilts or sheepskins should not be placed under a sleeping infant.
• Infants will never share cots. Individual children are assigned a cot exclusively for the session they are in nursery.
• Bedding is changed (sheet and cover) for each child using a cot.
• Soft objects such as pillows, stuffed toys and other soft objects must be removed from the cot (unless it’s a comforter provided from home) should be kept out of an infant’s sleeping environment but this must be removed once the infant is asleep

Blankets or Lightweight Sheets:

• If blankets or lightweight sheets are to be used, they should be tucked in around the mattress so that the infant’s face is less likely to become covered by bedding.
• Make up the bedding so that the infants feet are able to reach the foot of the cot (feet to foot).
• Remember, a folded blanket counts as two blankets - place the blanket up to the child’s chest and under their arms so their arms are free, tuck the blanket under the mattress at the end.

Babies need just two items in their cot:

1. A firm, flat, waterproof mattress.
2. Lightweight bedding.

Preparing a child for sleep:

• Remove any jewellery or teething beads from a child.
• Prepare the child by taking off bibs, heavy jumpers, shoes and put them away in their bags. If the baby has just come in from a walk, remove hats and extra clothing (such as coats) as soon as you come indoors even if it means waking the baby.
• Give the child their comforter/dummy/sleeping bag if provided from home. A well fitted baby sleep bag may be used. However, the manufacturer recommendations must be checked before using a baby sleep bag.