Ensuring Safer Sleep at Nursery in York: Queen’s Kindergarten Leads the Way
When searching for the best nursery in York, ensuring your child’s safety, especially during nap time, should be at the top of your list.
Following the recent BBC documentary ‘How Safe Are Our Nurseries?’, many parents are now more aware of the importance of safe sleep practices in early years settings. At Queen’s Kindergarten, part of Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, we are proud to lead by example.
Here, we explore what safer sleep really means for your child, and what you should be looking for when visiting a nursery in York.
Where Do Babies Sleep in Preschool Settings?
 |
A safe sleep environment starts with the right space. Babies should sleep in a dedicated, darkened room away from the busy areas of the nursery. This room should be spacious, have appropriate ventilation, and be easy to evacuate in an emergency. Cots should have firm mattresses, with no loose bedding, pillows, or toys, and the temperature should be maintained between 16–20°C. At Queen's Kindergarten, we have two separate sleep rooms: one for children under 2 and one for those over 2, as recommended by Ofsted as good practice. Both rooms are darkened and kept quiet to promote restful sleep. Babies under 6 months old are cared for in the baby rooms, where a practitioner can closely watch over them. We check our mattresses regularly for firmness and ensure that bedding is cleaned daily. The room temperature is monitored throughout the day to meet safer sleep standards. |
Monitoring Sleep: What Parents Should Know
Monitoring is essential to keep babies safe during sleep. A trusted nursery in York should be able to explain its sleep monitoring procedures clearly. Best practice includes staff completing visual checks every 10 minutes and keeping detailed records of each child’s sleep.
At Queen’s Kindergarten, a member of staff remains in the sleep room at all times, ensuring continuous supervision. We log 10-minute interval checks, and our trained staff are always ready to comfort a child who wakes. Additionally, we have an on-site medical centre to offer immediate care if a child becomes unwell or develops a temperature.
Baby Sleep Position: Back to Sleep
Babies under 6 months must always be placed on their backs to sleep as this is the safest position and reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Once a baby can roll independently, they will find their own sleeping position naturally.
Our team at Queen’s Kindergarten strictly follows this guidance. If a baby falls asleep in a pushchair or another inclined position, we gently move them to the sleep room and place them safely on their back.
Staff Training and Safety Standards
Any nursery in York that prioritises safer sleep will ensure that staff are properly trained and kept up to date with the latest advice. Annual training on safer sleep, paediatric first aid, and safeguarding is a must.
We are proud to offer our staff ongoing professional development through the newly launched QE Training Academy. All Early Years staff receive annual safeguarding training and regular refreshers on sleep safety and first response protocols.
Choosing the Right Nursery in York
When choosing a nursery in York, don’t hesitate to ask detailed questions about sleep policies and staff training. Your child’s safety, health, and comfort should always come first.
At Queen’s Kindergarten, we are committed to delivering the highest standards of care and education, with a strong focus on safety and wellbeing from day one.
"We recognise that establishing children's individual routines is essential to their holistic development. Equally important is ensuring that these routines are supported with the highest safety standards. That’s why we have a robust safe sleep policy in place, upheld by our team of outstanding practitioners. With regular training and a commitment to excellence, we ensure that Queen’s Kindergarten provides the safest possible environment for the children of York."
Emily Hunter, Head of Early Years
To find out more or to book a visit to Queen’s Kindergarten, please contact us today - we’d love to show you what makes us one of the safest and most nurturing preschools in York.
