Safer Sleep - Latest News

Update 21st April 2026

On 20th April 2026, DfE answered some member questions about the new safer sleep requirements in an article on their 'Help for early years providers' website.

Updates were made to guidance on:

• Sleep monitoring - monitors can be used for over 6m. You must be able to see and hear the baby / child and visually check them regularly, including feeling their neck to check their temperature.
• Babies who turn over - this is ok when they can turn back again but they must be put down on their back.
• Comforters - can be used for children age 12m upwards.
• Suitable mattresses - BSEN standards codes were added to the guidance.
• Transitions when returning to the setting from an outing in the car - all babies and children must be transferred from the car seat to their sleep space, even if it wakes them up.
• Transitions when returning to the setting if they are asleep in a buggy - under 12m must be transferred to their sleep space: over 12m should where possible be transferred.
• A lie flat pram or buggy should not be their main separate sleep space.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are following safe sleep requirements and using appropriate equipment.

Some questions are still outstanding, especially in relation to Forest School settings and outside sleeping and the use of dummies. Childcare.co.uk will continue to ask DfE for answers, to ensure all members feel confident about the upcoming changes.

1st April 2026

Olivia Bailey MP, Minister for Early Education and Minister for Equalities, has written to all early years providers to set out changes to the EYFS from September 2026 in relation to safer sleep. An email was sent to providers on 27th March stating that the EYFS will be updated to include the following:

'Babies and children must be placed down to sleep safely. For children under 2 years old, providers must ensure that:

• Children are placed down on their back in their own separate sleep space on a firm flat surface such as a cot, bed or mattress on the floor. Babies aged 1 year and under must only be placed to sleep in a cot.
• Sleep spaces should only contain a firm, flat, waterproof mattress and lightweight bedding which is firmly tucked in around the child below their shoulders to prevent head covering. Alternatively, a well fitted baby sleep bag may be used. Check the manufacturer recommendations before using a baby sleep bag.
• Where blankets are used, the child is placed feet-to-foot at the bottom of the cot, with blankets tucked in.
• Cots must not contain extra items such as toys, pillows, extra blankets, bumpers, wedges or straps.
• Children should not get too hot or cold. The recommended room temperature for babies is 16 – 20˚C.
• Children's heads are not covered.
• Children under six months of age must always have an adult with them in the same room for every sleep. All children must be frequently checked when sleeping.
• Children are always within sight and hearing of staff when sleeping.

Providers must ensure that all staff read NHS advice on Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). More information on safer sleep guidance is available from The Lullaby Trust.

DfE state that safe sleep must be in place now, following NHS and Lullaby Trust guidance. The Lullaby Trust website has a useful search function where you will find guidance on sleep pods (no), car seats (only when in the car) and sofas (no) - they are not a 'on a firm flat surface' with a 'waterproof mattress'.

The changes have been introduced after the death of a baby in a nursery in 2022 and following the Campaign for Gigi.

There are a number of outstanding questions from members about these changes. Be assured that Childcare.co.uk are working closely with DfE to answer member questions as quickly as possible.

Ofsted has recently made some useful comments which will help those members who have inspections coming up soon. For example, if babies or young children fall asleep on outings or the school run, that's fine. Think about ventilation, temperature, lying them flat and not having a blanket over their face. However, what Ofsted has also clearly stated is that buggies are not appropriate for indoor sleep - they have the wrong kind of mattress and don't allow babies and children to move around. This is a change to previously published advice from Ofsted and must be considered up to date and current.

Ofsted has also stated that they will plan a Vodcast with Foundation Years before the changes are introduced into the EYFS in September 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact the Department for Education - your feedback will be used to inform future information sharing.

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