Lucy Locket Childcare

https://www.facebook.com/share/1NDXDtSmuR/

SAFE SLEEP - updated information from the DfE published today the 20th of April 2026.

This guidance supports planned updates to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, which should be made in September 2026.

The article establishes why safe sleep is important.

Details are given about 'providing a safer sleep space for babies and children under two years of age' which should be followed by early years providers and which will become a legislative requirement in a new and revised EYFS later in the year.

Here's some of the article headlines:

Providers must ensure that:

👶babies aged 12 months and under must only be placed to sleep in a cot - this includes carrycots, moses baskets and travel cots (you may find it useful to check whether products meet the British Safety Standards listed in the article)

👶children are placed down on their back in their own separate sleep space on a clear, flat, firm surface such as a cot, bed or suitable mattress on the floor.

👶sleep spaces should only contain a firm, flat, waterproof mattress and lightweight bedding which is firmly tucked in around the child no higher than 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 baby should be placed feet-to-foot at the bottom of the cot, with blankets tucked in.

👶cots must not contain extra items such as toys, pillows, loose bedding, bumpers, wedges or straps
children should not get too hot or cold - the recommended room temperature for babies (those aged 12 months and under) is 16 – 20˚C.

👶children’s heads are not covered.

👶babies 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 they are sleeping.

👶children are always within sight and hearing of staff when sleeping.

😴A baby monitor can be used for children over six months of age, and you must ensure it allows children to be seen and heard at all times.

😴Evidence suggests that babies (those aged 12 months and under) are at a higher risk of SIDS if they have their heads covered. Some items added to their sleep space may increase the risk of SIDS and unnecessary items, such as cot bumpers and toys, can also increase the risk of accidents. Sleep comforters may be used for babies and children aged over 12 months only.

😴To check if a baby or child is too hot or cold, feel their chest or the back of their neck (hands and feet will usually be cooler, which is normal). If their skin feels clammy or sweaty, remove one or more layers of clothing or bedding. You should use your professional judgement during extreme temperatures.

😴Once babies can move from their back to their front and back again by themselves, they can find their own sleeping position. However, continue to place them on their back to sleep.

⚠️The article states that 'providers may find it useful to check whether products meet the relevant British Safety Standards' and gives further details of these.

Advice on sleeping whilst travelling goes into details for EY practitioners and parents too.

Links to the NHS and the Lullaby Trust can be found at the end of the article.

Please read the full article published by the DfE in collaboration with the The Lullaby Trust

Link here: 👇👇

https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/safer-sleep

Image: uabmedicine.org.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17AFGUH2vy/

Bagpuss and his friends will return 50 years after they first debuted.

Read more: https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/bagpuss-new-film-newsupdate/

Nursery staff are included now too

Discounts for Teachers | Blue Light Card

Discounts for Teachers | Blue Light Card If you're a teacher you can get access to discounts, exclusive experiences and rewards with Blue Light Card. Sign up today!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BzhZeEMft/

We are deeply saddened to announce that Allan Ahlberg, author of over 150 timeless books for children over the course of an extraordinary career spanning nearly 50 years, has died at the age of 87.

Together with his late wife Janet, Allan created books that remain best-in-class for children of every age: from Each Peach Pear Plum and Peepo! to genre-defining picture books Funnybones and Starting School to the boundary-pushing Jolly Postman books, filled with pull-out letters, games, and miniature books. And Allan wrote funny, clever and poignant books for older readers too. His career, like his books, defies categorisation.

Allan also collaborated with some of the most talented illustrators of his time – including Emma Chichester Clark, Raymond Briggs, Andre Amstutz, Bruce Ingman, Colin McNaughton, Fritz Wegner, Charlotte Voake and Faith Jaques. Allan also collaborated with his daughter, Jessica Ahlberg, with whom he created the pop-up variations on Goldilocks.

‘Allan was one of the most extraordinary authors I have had the privilege and pleasure to work with. His brilliant books – so many of them created with his late wife, Janet, the highly talented illustrator – have been described as 'mini masterpieces'. And they are; wonderful satisfying stories, the perfect marriage of text and illustration, full of surprise and humour, with something new to spot with every reading, and always with the child reader at their heart. Allan's ideas (and success) came from observing children and bringing some magic to the everyday - the excitement of the postman's delivery, the joy of peeping through holes at family life, or what if a friendly burglar steals a noisy baby (and then mends his ways!)? Allan's stories are some of the very best – true classics, which will be loved by children and families for years to come. Dear Allan, we will all miss you enormously.” – Francesca Dow, MD of PRH Children’s.

https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/news/change-to-guidance-on-charging-for-extras-could-have-significant-impact-on-nurseries/

Change to guidance on charging for extras could have 'significant impact’ on nurseries - Nursery World The DfE has updated its guidance to re-emphasise that early years providers must ensure parents can take up a free funded place without needing to pay for extras, but sector organisations warn move threatens nurseries' survival.

https://makingdanish.com/mum/2019/11/best-playdough-accessories-you-already-have-in-your-home/

How about that for a stroller 😬😬😬 They may not be a compact as to find in your handbag but strollers here are small boot approved 😎 And not to mention a lot safer 🫣

https://www.facebook.com/100063572904426/posts/868350095294079/?sfnsn=scwspmo

Award winning Pen Green Children's Centre rated inadequate by Ofsted The renowned Pen Green Children’s Centre in Corby has been downgraded to Inadequate in its latest Ofsted inspection.