Rest, Sleep and Relaxation Policy

Transcription

1 Rest, Sleep and Relaxation Policy Policy Number 023 Version Number 1.01 Drafted by Executive Officer Approved Date: Review Date: Responsibility Relevant Policies Relevant Standards and Regulations Bubup Womindjeka Family and Children s Centre Association (Inc.) The Board Jun 2014 Jun 2015 Child Safe Environment Policy, Hygiene Policy, Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Policy, Interactions with Children Policy, Supervision of Children Policy Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 Regulations: 81, 105 Relevant Legislation Sources National Quality Standard 2012 Quality Area 2: Each child s health needs are supported Each child s comfort is provided for and there are appropriate opportunities to meet each child s needs for rest, sleep and relaxation Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010, Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 Information from Safe Wrapping Brochure, Safe Sleeping Brochure, Safe Wrapping Brochure, Tummy Time Brochure, Cot to Bed Safety Brochure (2014), WorkSafe Victoria Children s services occupational health and safety compliance kit Authorisation Bubup Womindjeka Family and Children s Centre Board of Management Rationale Sleep and rest are vital to children s healthy development. The service has a duty of care to ensure that all children are provided with a high level of safety when resting, sleeping or relaxing. This policy will provide clear guidelines for the implementation of safe relaxation and sleep practices that meet the needs of individual children attending the service. SIDS & Kids is considered the recognised national authority on safe sleeping practices for infants and children. Families are encouraged to visit for the most up to date research and resources on safe sleeping practices for babies and children. The SIDS & Kids Safe Sleeping Practices are based on scientific research. Scope This policy applies to all educators, staff, students on placement, volunteers, families and children attending Bubup Womindjeka Family and Children s Centre. Responsibilities The Approved Provider is responsible for: Taking reasonable steps to ensure the sleep/rest needs of children at the service are met, with regard to the age of children, developmental stages and individual needs. Ensuring parents/guardians are consulted about appropriate relaxation and sleep practices for their child. Protecting children from hazards and harm. Ensuring cots provided at the service comply with the most current Australian/New Zealand Standards. Ensuring that hammocks, prams and strollers are not used to settle children to sleep. Rest, Sleep and Relaxation Policy Page 1 of 5

2 Consulting with educators and staff in relation to OHS issues when purchasing new equipment for the service. Ensuring compliance with WorkSafe Victoria s Children s services occupational health and safety compliance kit (refer to Sources), including in relation to staff lifting children into and out of cots. Ensuring compliance with the recommendations of SIDS and Kids and Kidsafe in relation to safe sleeping practices for children. Ensuring adequate supervision of children at the service at all times, including during rest, sleep and relaxation. Ensuring that rooms used for rest, sleep and relaxation are well ventilated. Ensuring that there is adequate space to store bedding in a hygienic manner. The Nominated Supervisor is responsible for: Taking reasonable steps to ensure the sleep/rest needs of children at the service are met with regard to the age of children, developmental stages and individual needs. Ensuring the educational program provides opportunities for each child to sleep, rest or engage in appropriate quiet play activities, as required. Protecting children from hazards and harm. Informing the Approved Provider, as soon as is practicable, of any hazards identified in the child s resting or sleeping environment. Ensuring all staff and educators comply with WorkSafe Victoria s Children s services occupational health and safety compliance kit in relation to lifting children into and out of cots. Ensuring all staff and educators comply with the recommendations of SIDS and Kids and Kidsafe in relation to safe sleeping practices for children. Ensuring adequate supervision of children at the service at all times, including during rest, sleep and relaxation. Storing items such as bedding in a hygienic manner to prevent cross-contamination. Certified Supervisors, educators and other staff are responsible for: Providing each child with appropriate opportunities for rest, sleep and relaxation according to their needs. Complying with the recommendations of SIDS and Kids and Kidsafe in relation to safe sleeping practices for children. Complying with WorkSafe Victoria s Children s services occupational health and safety compliance kit (refer to Sources), including in relation to lifting children into and out of cots. Providing input in relation to OHS issues when new equipment is purchased for the service. Developing relaxation and sleep practices that are responsive to: the individual needs of children at the service. parenting beliefs, values, practices and requirements. the length of time each child spends at the service. circumstance or events occurring at a child s home. consistency of practice between home and the service. a child s general health and wellbeing. the physical environment, including room temperature, lighting, airflow and noise levels. Minimising distress or discomfort for the children in their care. Ensuring that resting and sleeping practices are not used as a behaviour guidance strategy. Providing a range of opportunities for relaxation throughout the day. Conducting regular safety checks of equipment used for sleeping/resting, such as cots and mattresses. Informing the Nominated Supervisor or Approved Provider, as soon as is practicable, of any hazards identified in the child s resting or sleeping environment. Ensuring that any hanging cords, mobiles, curtains and blinds are inaccessible to children who are resting or sleeping. Providing adequate supervision of all children, including during sleep, rest and relaxation. Supervising children displaying symptoms of illness closely, especially when resting or sleeping. Ensuring that artificial heating, such as heat bags and hot-water bottles, is not used to provide warmth. Rest, Sleep and Relaxation Policy Page 2 of 5

3 Ensuring that each child has their own bed linen, and that the Hygiene Policy and procedures are implemented for the cleaning and storage of cots, mattresses and linen. Documenting and communicating children s rest and sleep times to co-workers during shift changes. Providing information to families about the service s rest, sleep and relaxation practices. Developing communication strategies to inform parents/guardians about their child s rest and sleep patterns, including times and length of sleep. Encouraging children s independence and assisting children with dressing as needed. Parents/guardians are responsible for: Discussing their child s relaxation and sleep requirements and practices prior to commencing at the service, and when these requirements change. Providing information on the child s enrolment form if the child requires special items while resting or sleeping e.g. a comforter or soft toy. Providing a written medical report if their baby/child is not to be placed on their back during sleep. Parents/guardians must communicate alternative resting practices to educators and staff. Procedures The primary safe resting and sleeping practices for children in care at the service are: All children will be placed on their back to re when first being settled for a rest. If a child turns onto their side or stomach during sleep, then allow them to find their own sleeping position. All children will rest with their face uncovered. Children s rest environments are free from cigarette smoke. (Please refer to the Smoking and Other Drugs Policy). The rest environment, equipment and materials will be safe and free from hazards as detailed in the service s Occupational Health and Safety Policy and the Maintenance of Building and Equipment Policy. Educators provide adequate supervision and monitoring of resting children. Safe resting practices for babies: Babies will be placed on their back to rest. If a medical condition exists that prevents a child from being placed on their back, the alternative resting practice must be directed in writing by the child s medical practitioner. If older babies turn over during their sleep, allow them to find their own sleeping position, but always lay them on their back when first placing them to rest. At no time will a baby s face be covered with bed linen. To prevent a baby from wriggling down under bed linen, they will be placed with their feet closest to the bottom end of the cot. Quilts and duvets will not be used as bed linen. Pillows, soft toys, lamb s wool and cot bumpers will not be used. Light bedding is the preferred option, which will be tucked in to prevent the baby from pulling bed linen over their head. Sleeping bags with a fitted neck and arm holes are an alternative option to bed linen and encourage a baby to rest on their back. Sleeping bags should not have a hood. Encouraging babies to play on their tummy assists in the development of gross motor strength, especially for crawling. It also helps in the prevention of flat spots forming on the head. However, babies should be supervised at all times during tummy play. (SIDS & Kids, 2006a). Safe resting practices for toddlers: Toddlers will be placed on their back to rest, unless otherwise directed in writing by the child s medical practitioner. If toddlers turn over during their sleep, allow them to find their own sleeping position, but always lay them on their back when first placing them to rest. At no time will a toddler s face be covered with bed linen. If using a cot, toddlers will be placed with their feet closest to the bottom end of the cot to prevent them from wriggling down under bed linen. Quilts and duvets will not be used to cover toddlers in a cot or on a mattress. Rest, Sleep and Relaxation Policy Page 3 of 5

4 Pillows, soft toys, lamb s wool and cot bumpers will not be used. Light bedding is the preferred option, which must be tucked in to prevent the toddler from pulling bed linen over their face. Sleeping bags with a fitted neck and arm holes are an alternative option to bed linen and encourage a toddler to rest on their back. If parents request to continue using the sleeping bag option when the toddler rests on a mattress, then the service will comply. Quiet experiences may be offered to those toddlers who do not fall asleep. Safe resting practices for preschool children: Preschool children will be placed on their back to rest. If they turn over during their sleep, allow them to find their own sleeping position but always ask them to lie on their back when first placing them to rest. At no time will a preschooler s face be covered with bed linen when they are sleeping. Light bedding is the preferred option. Quiet experiences may be offered to preschoolers who do not fall asleep. Provision and maintenance of rest and sleep equipment and environment: Every three months the Director of Education will conduct a safety check of the resting environments, equipment and/or aids. If educators identify any hazards they will lodge a report as instructed in the Building and Equipment Maintenance Policy. The service does not permit the use of hot water bottles, electric blankets or heated wheat bags in children s cots or on mattresses. These items present a risk of children either being scalded or developing hyperthermia (overheating). Cots: The following information is referenced from: Australian/New Zealand Standards Cots for day nursery, hospital and institutional use Safety Requirements (AS/NZS2130:1998). All new and second hand cots sold in Australia must meet the Australian Standards for Cots and be labelled AS Cots that are not labelled with the Australian Standards will not be used by the service. Educators will ensure that all cots are placed in area that is a safe distance from heaters, electrical appliances and hanging cords or strings. Educators will not place an extra mattress or padding under or over the manufacturer s cot mattress. Educators will look for the following hazard signs: o loose or broken parts; o missing or loose knobs, screws or sharp catches; o peeling, cracking paint or splintered wood; and o any design flaw that reduces the safety of the cot. For example, missing or broken safety latches to sides. Staff will report any hazards as detailed in the service s Building and Equipment Maintenance Policy. Rest and Sleep Routines At enrolment, families are encouraged to discuss their child s individual rest, sleep and clothing needs with educators. These needs are regularly updated during the year via verbal discussion and routine forms. Each room has a rest/sleep time during the day. Educators provide alternative quiet activities for children who only need a rest. Areas are provided all day for children who may need to sleep or rest or relax. Educators create an atmosphere in the room that is calm and relaxing for all children. Music and stories are played to contribute to this atmosphere at rest time. Rest, Sleep and Relaxation Policy Page 4 of 5

5 Relevant Forms/Documents Enrolment Form Medical Management Plan Version History Date Version Author/s Details Jan Director of Education New policy Jun Executive Officer Revision for new name Rest, Sleep and Relaxation Policy Page 5 of 5