Sticky Fingers Childcare

Taking advantage of the air con 😂 soft play with the little ones this morning

Happy 4th Birthday 🎂

Lovely walk around Ruxley Manor with the little ones to see the fish, small animals and reptiles 🐢🦎

A rainy day turned into a indoor play kinda day ☔️🌧️🌂💧

The little ones all loved exploring our new outdoor play kitchen today.

Soft play with the little ones today.

Sleeping babies and children - Information for parents

Dear Parents

I understand how hard it is to manage a child’s sleep needs when they attend a childcare setting. I usually find that any early concerns settle quickly and children adapt well to their new routines.

The Department for Education has introduced new sleep rules which are statutory from September 2026. They aim to keep children safer when they are asleep in the setting and you might find them useful to use at home -

Https:/help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/safersleep

I aim to find a balance between your sleep wishes and statutory requirements. For example, you might ask us to limit your child’s sleep or not let your child go to sleep if it’s late in the day - however, Ofsted tell us that this is unacceptable and that, if a child is tired, we must prioritise the child’s needs over the parents’ wishes. Ofsted has also stated that early years providers are in breach of the child’s human rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (2002) is they are denied sleep or not allowed to wake naturally.

We also cannot use prams or pushchairs for your baby’s sleep and must put them into a cot (under 12 months) or mattress on the floor (over 12 months). We will discuss the spaces we use for your baby/child’s sleep with you during induction.

If your child falls asleep in a pram/buggy or car seat we are required to move them to their sleep space when we return.

In my setting we encourage children to have a rest or sleep time when they are tired. If a child usually sleeps, we will set up their sleep space and where possible put some quiet music on to help them relax. When your child is over the age of 12 months we can allow them a comfort object in their cot. If your child is tired but does not want to sleep, we will engage them in quiet, restful play.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), states that we must risk assess to keep sleeping children safe. My risk assessment is available for you to view at any time on Babysdays.

Please don’t hesitate to ask if you would like further information about sleep routines. Thank You.